Front armor & Plow frame?

I've searched to no avail -
Has anyone run front armor on the front bumper and been able to have a plow mount too? I know that they cancel each other out as the plow mount reduces clearance that the bumper provides, but I need the plow in NY. After my deer hit I may as well use the insurance $$ to throw on some armor. That all being said, I plan to remove the plow mount once winter is over and put it back on next year.

 

Anyone have any insight?

 

Why does that plow frame stick out so much? Mine hugs the front cross member and sits right against the splash pan. Its pretty much hidden, and I wouldn't even CONSIDER putting it on and off every year. Goes on ONCE and STAYS on.

Still having said that though, it doesn't look like it would interfere with an aftermarket bumper. If they happen to use some of the same mount points, you may have to alter one slightly, but it shouldn't be a big deal.

Have you thought about just custom fabbing a "real" bull bar to mount in the plow frame? Unlike those fake chrome ones you see so frequently, anything solid and mounted to the plow frame would be able to take a hit better than an aftermarket bumper would. Maybe just add brackets to a 6 inch I-beam and hook it on

 

Here's a pic of the side view of how far it sticks out. What plow do you have that the mount is so close? (just curious). Mounting the frame wasn't too bad, only took me about an hour once I fabbed the bolts for inside the frame. I guess I could keep it on, but I'm sure I'll drill it on something the few times I'm out in the woods.

I was thinking that the points on the side of the frame would probably be the same.

Thought about it, but since I have to replace the whole bumper shell, mounting hardware, etc underneath I figure I may as well just spend the same $$ (hopefully) on something more substantial. I'm pretty sure all of those parts come off anyway for something like an ARB bumper. I'm pretty sure my bodyshop guy will work with me on doing whatever I want since the ins check is coming to me and I'll be paying him.

 

Mine is Arctic.
Going by eyeball view, I'd say that it sticks out forward about 4 inches less than yours, and adds about 2 or 2.5 inches of ground clearance.

 

I know its an old thread, but OP did you end up getting an aftermarket bumper? I am currently collecting parts for a front end swap and I'm trying to decide if I want a factory bumper or aftermarket. The biggest problem is I too have a plow mount on my truck.

 

Sorry this reply took me forever. I haven't been on much and never saw the notification of your post.
I ended up getting everything replaced stock and bought a mobtown recovery bar (yet to be installed 3 years later). My plan was to have my buddy cut the tabs off one or the other, probably the plow frame and re-weld them with the proper spacing to allow the recovery bar to mount. That way I could remove the plow frame if I wanted to. But of course none of that happened and so crap just sits in my basement. Maybe if I get a new frame I'll rethink all of this again.

Edit: I see your in Rochester....grew up around there. Have a garbage plate for me.