First and formost,
Thank you Joe. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> Without you, Matt, Dallas and others, there would be no aftermarket.

Now of course I'm biased and yes I would love a rear bumper for my truck. My home made one is fuctional junk <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />. One thing many people don't consider when buying or building bumpers is the care and attention they take. I don't mean looks, I mean a structuraly sound piece of material. Many backyard mechanics scare the living hell out of me with some of the stuff I see. When it comes down to the saftey of you and others on the highway, I let the proffessionals do the major work.

If I'm not mistaking CA state law requires all points of attachment (tow hitches, tow hooks) on a vehicle to meet the ASME structural standards. And all welds performed by a certified welder. Not to many backyard welders have taken the the certification courses. I'm not knocking any welders that know there stuff, just making a point.

The aftermarket is there for people that relize whats above thier skill level and price range. The bumper may be $600-700, but adding up the cost of all the tools needed to PROPERLY build a bumper is much more.

When I'm towing a boat (yeah what a dream <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />) down the highway at 65mph, hit a large pothole, I want to know that bumper can handle it. This is just as significat (if not more) off-road, a 9000# winch will tell you very quickly what a quality product is and isn't.

Just throwing around my 2 pennies.

Scott F.

joe, when can I put my order in <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />