Different OEM Front Bumpers?

[Seven714]

I am a bit confused on the different bumpers that are available from Ford.

Can any one tell me what bumper I have and a description of the different ones that come on the Bronco.

Thanks in advance.

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[BUCKIN6VA]

You have the upgrade - the Modular Bumper. The base is the Compatible Capable Bumper. But you're good with that one.

 

[Seven714]

You have the upgrade - the Modular Bumper. The base is the Compatible Bumper. But you're good with that one.

Thanks!

 

[userdude]

That's the modular steel bumper. The rear bumper's top plate is plastic, otherwise it's steel. This is generally considered the best bumper for off roading unless you want fog lights (I think?).

The capable bumper is more square looking in general and works fairly well. Has more plastic.

There's also a plastic bumper I understand, but haven't really paid attention to that.

 

[Brian_B]

(Stealing these pics from around the forums here)

Standard (Plastic) Bumper
Has the horizontal recovery hoops that are integrated into the intercooler mounts. Base model comes without fog lights

Capable (Steel) Bumper:
Has the square~ish D-rings. I haven't seen a version without fog lights,

Modular (Steel) Bumper
Has vertical steel recovery points and bolts/mounting points all over. Fog lights often go in the side pockets.

 

[userdude]

(Stealing these pics from around the forums here)

Standard (Plastic) Bumper
Has the horizontal recovery hoops that are integrated into the intercooler mounts. Base model comes without fog lights

Capable (Steel) Bumper:
Has the square~ish D-rings. I haven't seen a version without fog lights,

Modular (Steel) Bumper
Has vertical steel recovery points and bolts/mounting points all over. Fog lights often go in the side pockets.

Oh I see, the plastic looks very similar to the capable...

 

[Seven714]

That's the modular steel bumper. The rear bumper's top plate is plastic, otherwise it's steel. This is generally considered the best bumper for off roading unless you want fog lights (I think?).

The capable bumper is more square looking in general and works fairly well. Has more plastic.

There's also a plastic bumper I understand, but haven't really paid attention to that.

Are there addons that you can add to the modular bumper from Ford and 3rd parties?

 

[Brian_B]

Are there addons that you can add to the modular bumper from Ford and 3rd parties?

Many, many addons for the modular bumper. Most every addon, in fact, will assume you have the modular bumper.

Winches, lights, hitches, carriers, bars, antennas, ... a lot of stuff.

 

[userdude]

Are there addons that you can add to the modular bumper from Ford and 3rd parties?

Sure. For instance, some folks sell a replacement pocket on the corner if you want to install (more?) lights. If you want a winch, Ford is selling the mounting plate and winch on the Everglades at a fire sale price. You just have to look around.

 

[Brian_B]

Oh I see, the plastic looks very similar to the capable...

Yup - almost the same, just puts the square D-rings in there over the frame caps. And it's steel, not plastic, which is the big difference I guess.

I actually like the look of the capable the best, just don't like that it's difficult to do much with it aftermarket.

 

[arwhite]

How much work is it to swap out the plastic on a Big Bend for the capable? Something I could do solo in my driveway?

 

[Brian_B]

How much work is it to swap out the plastic on a Big Bend for the capable? Something I could do solo in my driveway?

Yup. Fairly easily.

The only hangup are those horizontal recovery points. On the Standard bumper, those are built into the intercooler mounts (which are then bolted to the frame).

You either have to cut those off (sawzall or cutting wheel) or replace the intercooler mounts with ones that don't have the recovery points (about $60 per mount if I recall, the part numbers are around these forums somewhere). Neither of those is hard or complicated - like 3 bolts to replace them (and you do them one at a time, you don't have to do anything with the intercooler), or just a simple "hack them off" approach... the rest of the bumper will be ... like 8 bolts total or something? Hardest part is just holding it up - helps to have a second set of hands or a lift table or something to help get it on straight.

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