So I haven't been here for awhile because I've been buried on this project at work.

Back on 1/18 after working until the wee hours I get a line on some free firewood. I go get it on the way to the office and as I'm leaving the store where it was I manage to bump someone in the back because she stopped in the merge lane (drives me freaking nuts).

So my insurance company has already written me a check for their estimate less my deductible made out to me and my lienholder. I thought I had to just endorse it then hand it to the body shop. My wife says I have to get it endorsed by the lienholder then deposit it and we pay the body shop ourselves.

The damage is quite minor. A little ding in the front bumper. I'm considering using the money to geta winch bumper instead and installing it myself. I'll have to see if my insurance company will allow that.

So, what's available out there? The owner's manual has all these warnings about non-stock bumbers and the air bags. But I know some companies make bumpers for the 3rd Gen. Are the all not compatible with the air bag system?

 

When you get it issued to you and the lein holder you actually have to get the work done then take to to one of their offices and get it checked off you should alway's ask to have it made out to you and the body shop

 

Update on this. I asked both the insurance company and lien holder they're fine with me applying the money to an aftermarket bumber if that's what I want to do.

Thing is I was really hoping to pull it off in the $700-$800 range. All the decent winch bumpers I see are almost double that.

I got a quote on a stainless Reunel for well over $1,500 http://www.reunel.com/

The Buckstop I like is $1,600 http://www.buckstop.biz/dodge03_classic.html

I imagine Trail Ready will cost about the same http://www.trailready.com/02_ram.html

I know ARB makes one for the 3rd Gen now but I figure it'll be in the same price range.

Anyone know of decent off road winch bumpers for the kind of money I'm looking to spend.

 

I would go with one of these with a reciver hitch. That way you could move your winch to the back or front depending on the situation.
http://www.frontier-gear.com/html/FBRProducts.html

Chris