HD Front Bumpers for the Dodge Ram

Visit Geno's Garage for Truck accessories.

 

Logo and Photos copied from the Prozap webpage (photos reduced)

 
From: Anton Boutin <Anton@prozap.com>
Date: Friday, December 04, 1998 7:56 PM
Subject: ProZaps Ram Bumper at prozap.com
 
<snip> 11 months ago I became a business partner with my good friend Jim Fernandez of ProZap Manufacturing. He had so many devoted bumper groupies (owner's of one of his Hide-Away-Winch bumpers) upset that he was not actively making bumpers anymore that I decided it was time to fill a manufacturing niche and build truly the best damned truck bumper in the world. With his eye, and our engineering prowess I know we have created a new level of aesthetics and function for the front, and soon rear, for every Ram out there.
 
If you know of anyone looking for a bumper for a Ram and for whatever reason they are not to interested in a Reunel have them look at our site www.prozap.com. Our Ram bumper with a skid plate  comes in at 195 lbs.. with our brush guard, 225 lbs. We guarantee our customer will be very proud of owning our bumper or we will buy it back.

We have been building winch bumpers for almost 16 years, always with the winch hidden, and have designed our bumpers to be NO compromise bumpers. We are as strong as the truck frames we mount to, no need for half inch plate bumpers mounted to frames built out of sub 1/8" material; we retain the awesome looks of the Ram by not overwhelming it with a noisy design: we actually improve the Rams approach angle over stock: we give the truck an apparent 1.75" lift up front; we have an awesome skid plate; we powder coat; we etc.
 
Check out our site, we will be adding lots to it in the immediate future so check us out often as we just got it up.

Thanks  Anton, partner, ProZap Manufacturing
 ======================
Thu, 14 Jan 1999 23:56:25 -0800
More From Anton:

This is sort of marketing stuff but honest none the less.  I hope you don't mind. :-)

    You make a comment in your site that our bumper is of quality but not as strong as the Reunel bumper.  I cannot refute this with physical crash evidence nor would I want to but I feel we have some design advantages that offer greater protection to the actual vehicle, both its body and frame.

    Though our weight is less, by quite a bit, our trussing with "Beefy Bars" and internal gussets end up providing our 3/16" bumper shell material greatly increased structural integrity. If one was to impact the outside wing of ProZap's bumper with a ball pein hammer, it would surely dent easier than the Reunel's 1/4" material.  However, if this impact is a softer object, say a car, deer or a pile of rocks, we feel that our bumper will have considerably less likelihood of deforming.

    Technically, because we utilize a separate winch deck manufactured out of multiply broke laser cut 1/4" steel, the center section of our bumper is stronger than the Reunel's.   By having the reinforced 1/4" winch deck filling the whole width of the inside center of our 3/16" bumper shell we end up with virtually 7/16" of steel.  Our separate winch deck design also allows side-to-side adjustment of our bumper.  In addition to in-and-out, and up-and-down, an extremely strong mount for an optional receiver hitch (that pokes through a tight hole in the lower slope of our bumper shell), more versatile winch mounting, greatly eased bumper mounting (can be done with a few wrenches by oneself), and a real strong fish hook style tow hook mount on the bottom slope our bumper.  With or without our skid plate our ProZap HiddenWinch( Ram bumper is compatible with the awesome Dodge Ram tow hooks. But for those who don't have them we provide a mount that bolts fishhook style tow hooks though our bumper into our 3/8" winch deck end plates.  This results in a tow hook mount that pulls in-line with the Ram's frame rails, leading to less likelihood of the bumper shifting and deforming the trucks body panels.  I have seen quite a few Reunel laden trucks with crumpled body steel by the wheel well do to this effect I think.

    Four more points of distinction for our bumper vs. the Reunel or anything else are; we pre-bake; iron phosphate; coat our bumpers twice; with a highly corrosion resistant powder coat. We actually improve the approach angle of the Ram over the stock bumper (we are only 5/8" to 7/8" in front of the standard bumper). Our skid plate integrates the lower slope of our bumper into the cross member of the Ram, and by our Ram's frame mount design, we provide increased vehicle protection.

    Our skid plate not only offers fantastic impact protection for the undercarriage but also gives us four additional mounts that are far removed from the standard frame rail mount.  This provides greatly increased "tilting" resistance to our bumper. We feel that a bumper should provide impact protection without compromising the ability to absorb energy.  Most other bumper design rely on extremely rigid frame mounts that in function will transfer virtually all impact energy of a crash into the frame.  Whether the frame is that of a 1/2 ton or Ford F-550, they were not designer for and we feel should never be subjected to the impact jolt of a rigid bumper mount. By the design of our bumper shell, winch deck, frame bracket, and our "not totally rigid" skid plate mount up we feel that we really do provide the ultimate protection for the Dodge Ram.  Bar
None.

    We really try and succeed in building the ultimate bumper for your rugged adventures.

    I hope I don't come off too much as a salesperson.  This is our company, my partner, Jim Fernandez (owner for fifteen years) and I have a passion and drive to provide the toughest, most rugged and dependable winch bumper that you could ever love.

Thank you very much,
Sincerely,
Anton Boutin
  Andy Farlie's ProZap Comments

Date:       Tue, 14 Apr 1998 18:18:35 -0700
To:          RTML

There is a company in Sonora, CA called ProZap that makes a bumper that looks a lot like the Reunel bumper. They call it the HiddenWinch bumper. So I gave them a call and talked to Anton (sp?) and their bumper weighs about 140lbs rather than the 350lbs of Reunel. They use a plasma cutter to create a bumper that uses a C Section ribbed on the inside approach to give it strength but to keep the weight down. They are also working on a brush guard that would bolt onto the bumper.

Where Reunel only supports the Warn winches ProZap are working on multiple winch mounts. So here is the crunch. My original goal was a Reunel bumper + M12000 winch (400+lbs - OEM bumper weight). Having done more research I think that my current preferred setup is the ProZap bumper with a MileMarker 10,500lb winch. The crunch is that ProZap are waiting on a MileMarker winch to prove the setup and are also working on the brush guards that are not completed yet - they reckon another couple of weeks to complete both. ProZap sound very proud of their bumper. Apparently they used to produce bumpers for Toyotas (called Hide-away winch bumpers) and have been in business for 17 years. Their ad is on page 95 of Off-Road magazine May 98.

There is a 20 degree taper on the front to clean up the look of the front of the truck.

The price of the bumper is $800 + $50 (for diamond plate) + $200 (for brush guard). The MileMarker is available from Winches Plus (new dealer for MileMarker) for $729.

http://www.prozap.com
http://www.4x44u.com/pub/k2/am4x44u/truck_stop/parts/prozap.htm
Winches Plus: 888 898 0098

I included ProZap so they can comment on misinformation.
Andy Farlie
Loma Prieta, CA DHL's ProZap Comments

Subject:    RE: DiRT: ProZap bumper
Date:        Thu, 14 Jan 1999 22:01:29 -0700
From:       "dhl" <dleamon@earthlink.net>
To:           <DiRT>

I have one on a 4Runner. Sturdy, heavy bumper. Not as nice as one of those Runels (sp?), but will function the same I'm sure.

The biggest caveat to a substantial bumper, and I know this will add to the controversy that has been bantered about over the past several weeks, is the liability and the damage that WILL occur if you hit something of any sizable mass again.

The reason that I bought the ProZap for the Toyota was because I rear-ended a Bug at about 40 mph in Seattle with one of those aluminum ARB Bullbars. Well the Bullbar faired well in the middle, but the driverside folded up enough to ruin the fender, and the hood. Now I'm not saying that the damage was *more* than it would have been w/o the bumper, but it certainly can mangle other things if hit hard enough.

More importantly, the Bug was destroyed. I shutter to think what would have happen if I would have T-boned it. And this was with a what, 3k lb. Toyota. You stick a well built piece of steel in front of the Cummins and as O.J. would say, "Look out!"

Still, in minor scrapes they are nice. I've pushed over medium sized trees, moved parked cars (long story) and had people back into me. All with no more than paint damage.

Another item to consider is the weight on a already loaded Cummins front end. Tim B's ProZap Comments

Subject:  DiRT: ProZap bumper 5% off for list members
Date:       Fri, 8 Jan 1999 16:54:24 -0800
From:      "Tim B" <timb@epix.net>
To:          "DiRT Mailing List"

Hello all,

If anyone is interested in the ProZap bumpers (http://www.prozap.com) I have included my correspondence with them below. I asked for a discount for list members and Anton offered 5% which is better than nothing!  These things look very well built but as always quality cost money.  Because of the price and the possibility I may want to trade my truck in for a 2500 within a few years I have not decided yet if I'll get one to replace my bent OEM bumper.

Tim B

<<< Email #1 follows: >>>

I am interested in the ProZap hidden winch bumper for my 1996 Dodge Ram 1500
4x4, Clubcab, shortbed, tow package, etc.  I have a few questions:

1) My truck is black, does the "Standard black" bumper match my paint?
Our black powder coat is an O'Brien satin black that seemingly matches anything.  It will not be the black of your paint, more, a black of accent parts.

Why is the powder coated model $100 more?
Because it costs us exactly $100 more to have our bumper, pre-baked (no chance of oil contamination), iron phosphated (chemical etching to increase bond strength and corrosion protection), and coated twice (which requires two bake cycles but gives us a very tough film build up and much greater impact and scratch resistance).

2) What is the "Beefy Bars" option mean? 
Sorry about the inadequacy of our literature.  We are spending great efforts to provide the absolutely best winch bumper and something has to give.  Our Beefy Bar option is a structural reinforcement that we highly recommended for the off-road enthusiast but adds about 15 lbs. and so our std. bumper does not ship with them.  Many folk find weight a serious issue and we have tried to address it.  Also, they give us a inexpensive upgrade feature. Ya know, a little marketing maneuver.   Now, what they really provide is much greater twisting strength in the outside wings of our bumper.  Especially out by the wheel well.  We do provide a mount inside our bumper for your stock bumper spars but the Beefy Bars really add much more torsional strength.  They are solid 3/4" round stock that are welded to three locations inside our bumper.  The top of the wing-tip by the wheel well, through the middle of our outside reinforcement gusset, and on top of the bottom slope by the inside gusset. They function as tension members if the bumper is impacted from underneath and compressive members if the wing is hit from high.

I assume this means a larger tube stock for the grille guard?
No, but all the tubing is 0.120" wall DOM (drawn over a mandrel)  steel tubing.

Which version does the lifted black dodge have on your homepage?
It has Beefy Bars, but as they are inside the bumper you can not tell.

3) I noticed one dodge (white) has a slightly different grill guard than the black one.  The black truck's grille guard has a center peak whereas the white truck's is perfectly horizontal all they across.  Are these different style bumpers or old and new styles? Same goes for the Beefy Bars ? 
You have awesome '?'s.  No one else has ever even mentioned this, nor had the articulate interest to word it.   Yes, old vs. new.  The white was a prototype that we are trying to phase out of our pictures.  The black one is current.

4) What does the Factory Light Mount add?
Two ellipses centered in the outside wing of our bumper, two pieces of 4" tubing frenched in, and a peculiar laser cut piece of 3/16" steel welded to the tube that gives us a pop in mount with an adjusting screw mount for you stock lights. They will also accommodate PIAA oval style lights.

I have OEM fog lamps I would want to mount in the bumper somewhere.  I would like to see a picture of the factory Light Mount option if possible.
Sorry, again. I do not even have a picture yet. Next week I hope.

5) How much will this bumper weigh?
Bumper, 180#, Beefy Bars 12.5#, Skid Plate, 20#, BrushGuard, 30#

Do you recommend stiffer front springs for a 1500 4x4? 
More than likely.  By the time you have our bumper and any winch out in front of your truck, your going to sag.  But, how much?  How about getting two buddies to sit on the hood of your truck while you stand off to the side and see what
it does. The weight should be about the same and therefore the effect.

6) I live in Pennsylvania,  how much can I expect to pay for shipping?
It depends on how near to major truck routes you are, $120 to $170.

7) I am a member for the DiRT Dodge Ram Mailing List (Dodge Ram
enthusiasts).  Do you offer any discounts for us?
Didn't, but now I guess I will because I know you need my bumper :)  Anyhow, I wasn't planning on offering discounts at this time, but since you asked so many cool '?'s and this last one, how about 5% off.

Hey, I thank you for your interest.  I have been shoving your e-mail to the side not wanting to spend the time to answer all your questions, but now it is done and I am :)  I will also put these up on our web site.  Thanks.

Regards,
Anton, partner at the place that really does build the bumper for your rugged adventures.

<<< Email #2 follows: >>>

Tim,

Thanks for an informative and prompt response.  I will be posting your response to my DiRT mailing list if you don't mind for any other list member's interest.
Yes, please do.

The reason I'm in the market for a new front bumper is because of a minor front end collision which trashed my OEM bumper.  The OEM bumper was moved in on one side and offset of center.  My only follow on questions are about the  OEM support bracketry and delivery time:

1)  I assume I must buy new support bracketry even if I were to purchase the Beefy Bars" option?
The only bracketry you may need are the two outside spars. It is your option; you may find that either you can straighten yours out, or just leave them off.  We have quite a few of these bumpers out there with no spars. They are also very easily added later.

2) After I place my order how long might I expect from then 'till delivery in Pennsylvania?  (I realize the shipment part is a guess but I'm sure you have a good idea). 
Please get back to me on the options you would like. As the option will have quite an effect on our delivery time.  Rough; three to six weeks for us and a week for shipment.

I am awaiting the final insurance estimate before I decide for sure what I am doing for a front bumper.   I will be contacting you again very soon.
Please do, you will be very happy.  We guarantee it.  If you are not happy with our bumper, I mean really happy, we will buy it back within 30 days of your receipt. Granted this does not include shipping and a few other clauses, but our intent is that you will be very happy or we will try real, real hard to make you so.

thank you again for your interest,
anton
--------------------------------------
Tim B

Stevan Gajic's ProZap Comments

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 10:02:39 PST
From: "Stevan Gajic" <toe_ball@hotmail.com>
Subject: DiRT: ProZap field Test (Big Bend run)

     Well, I'm back from my Big Bend wheeling expedition, got cut short because of rain (the wind carried off several rain covers from the tents and I was the only one who would have been content sleeping in the cab), but was still a worthwhile trip. After 4 days and 3 nights of off-roading I can truly say that this bumper is awesome. I ran the trails previously with the stock bumper smashed a few weeks ago while waiting on the ProZap, and now using a very similar line, bumper bashing was reduced considerably. Approach angle has grown quite a bit though the bumper does stick out farther than I like it's acceptable. Besides, compared to a Warn Trans4Mer which is what I had originally planned on, this is a much better option.

The bumper's finish is still intact, even on parts that scraped rock, except for a few apparent "stone chips" from the drive to the campsite (about 18 miles of washboard style dirt road). I took several photos of the bumper from various angles along with some of our other activities.

Last Update March 16, 1999