Not happy with LMC's "Premium" bumpers

[Danny G]

Generally as I have gone through my truck until COVID/college/baby stopped my last restoration I have found most of LMCs inventory gimmicky Chinese junk you can actually buy for the same price. IE body hole covers. Yea you can buy 300 of the ones they sell for like $6.

Live learn and move on. Nothing has really made me upset until today.

I purchased the premium Chrome front bumper for use with pads and push bars. Currently it's going for $380 on LMC.

I also purchased their starlite rear bumper currently about $400 on their site.

They have never seen road use. They actually have been under a breathable cover out of the elements just like my 86 truck. The same cover that has protected the interior without any doors now for a couple years (I replace it annually). Purchase date was 10/1/2020. No use... Probably would be worse if actually installed and used.

Well here you go this is what they look like as of today. Also I can't seem to figure out how to drop a review.

[viven44]

I am pretty sure most of what LMC buys is the same Chinese junk that everyone else does but because they refuse to give out the generic part number that makes it appear like it is their own.... in this case to their detriment....

Why would a business want to sell sub-standard stuff and put their name/brand behind it ????

[Danny G]

No warranty information on anything either.

I don't know why they choose to risk their rep,but I'm done with them after this one. They are not the only game in town with what they are selling.

I sent them an email with these pictures, let's see what happens. I don't have much hope. I'll probably be better off getting these repaired/recoated at a shop that deals in chrome.

Granted the rear bumper is only rated for 8000lbs. I believe my truck is rated for 12,000 with the drw/7.5 and Dana 70HD. I don't know if that's bumper or goose/5th wheel hitch

[Gary Lewis]

I'll tag Keith again, but he doesn't seem to be looking at our tags.

[viven44]

What is your rear end ratio ?

My 84 F350 has a 3.07 rear end ratio / Dana 70HD and with a 460 it is rated for 12,000 GCWR which is roughly 7000lb tow capacity, and I always thought that was a bit low because it came with a trailer/tow camper equipment package option. Bumper is out the equation on my truck, not sure if this is original to the truck or added later.

[Danny G]

viven44 wrote

What is your rear end ratio ?

My 84 F350 has a 3.07 rear end ratio / Dana 70HD and with a 460 it is rated for 12,000 GCWR which is roughly 7000lb tow capacity, and I always thought that was a bit low because it came with a trailer/tow camper equipment package option. Bumper is out the equation on my truck, not sure if this is original to the truck or added later.

I have the dually with what I believe  is 3.54s should be rated at 9500lb on the bumper 12k fifth wheel if I am remember correctly.

I'll double check the codes but it's either Dana 3.54 or 4.10.

[salans7]

Unfortunately, this is just the state of most aftermarket parts these days.

I bought a set of 92-96 Flareside Emblems from NPD that were supposedly from Dennis Carpenter. They're pure garbage as the letters were lifting underneath the clear acrylic (or whatever the top layer is) and that acrylic fogged out in the sun. I didn't even get a full year out of them before they did that.

[85lebaront2]

Now you know why I would rather pull a decent used bumper in a junkyard rather then spend the money for a "quality" replacement. Darth's front bumper is an LKQ replacement. Biggest issue was getting the rub strip installed on it.

Rear bumper is an unknown custom with the V5 receiver integrated into it.

[Danny G]

Just going to blast everything and do a 3000+ grit high luster polish on all the steel then spray clear coat lol.

[viven44]

How about a mega sonic clean … if only a bumper would fit in that ultrasonic cleaner 🤣

[mat in tn]

years ago, I took the original front bumper from the project and had it "un plated" then powder coated in gloss black. I spent a little more than a new replacement, but nothing fits like the originals!

[ArdWrknTrk]

These are GCVWR, and are for a receiver and a 5th wheel type attachment.
What's the tare weight on a dually crew cab full of fuel with you in it?

There's no bumper rated for more than 3k trailer.

Here is the factory manual if you don't trust me.

https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1986-Ford-RV-Trailer-Towing-Guide.pdf

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[viven44]

Couldn't help but notice the Broncos were mighty good back then and in a different class vs today's....

The 2024 bronco per Ford... too bad

"towing capacity reaches up to 4,500 pounds in its most capable forms, with a respected 3,500-pound towing capacity in other models."

[Nothing Special]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

These are GCVWR, and are for a receiver and a 5th wheel type attachment.
What's the tare weight on a dually crew cab full of fuel with you in it?

There's no bumper rated for more than 3k trailer.

Here is the factory manual if you don't trust me.

https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1986-Ford-RV-Trailer-Towing-Guide.pdf

Vendor reviews are a poll.
You can vote and leave feedback in the marketplace section.

I agree 100% with all of this except there being no bumper rated to over 3K trailer.  Bumper hitches rated for more than that aren't real common, but the factory bumper on my '85 F-250 was stamped that it was rated for 5K.

But what people call a "bumper-pull" trailer often isn't really.  They just mean it's not a 5th wheel.  So look at what the bumper hitch is really rated for and get a receiver if you're exceeding it.

Plus you might need a weight distributing hitch to safely and legally tow near the "bumper pull" rating, and a weight distruibutng hitch will require a receiver.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Okay, I wasn't aware of a factory bumper that exceeded 3,000 lbs, but I stand corrected.

Maybe my '87 Custom argent step bumper isn't where your 85 is?
I should look closer at these things.

But I definitely give no quarter to calling a receiver a 'bumper'
My C-IV has a whole lot more meat attached directly to, and spread out along the frame rails.
I'd never expect a cheesy pair of bumper brackets to come close.

[Nothing Special]

I was very surprised to see the 5K rating on that bumper, and because of that I never put a receiver on that truck.

But after getting my next truck which came to me with a receiver I realized how much nicer a receiver is.  Not only the ability to use a weight distributing hitch, but also the possibility of adjusting the hitch height (also important for safe towing).  I doubt I'll ever use a bumper for a hitch mount again.

[85lebaront2]

Ok, Jim, you asked for it, so here it is:
Darth - empty weight with aluminum camper shell 6400 lbs.
My weight - 255 lbs as weighed on Drs. scale
both tanks filled roughly 232 lbs.
So gross weight is - 6887

Figure I go to Pick and Pull in Virginia Beach, with 2 friends and tools including a dual wheel wheelbarrow, probably pushing 7500-8000 depending on what else goes in.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Thank you for that, Bill.  

My point is that Danny's GCWR drops substantially once you factor a laden dually crew cab.

While it is an impressive tow pig, and the extra length helps keep the tail from wagging the dog, we have to be mindful that often things are not as rosy as they seem.

Danny is doing it right, but I see plenty of 40 year old pickups I wouldn't trust not to lose a brake line in a panic stop.
Remember I see LOTS of accidents,
It doesn't have to be your fault to kill you.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Your drop receiver has no bracing at all, just a piece of angle not even welded all around.
(there may be a single diagonal I can't see, directly behind the tube)
Be VERY careful if you consider going anywhere close to what you think it can handle.
Look closely at the class of hitch installed and how well it and the fasteners attaching it to the frame are holding up.

[viven44]

Duly noted… I won’t trust it to pull anything of substance.

Says 5000lb max gross weight when used as a weight carry hitch and 10000lb with a load distributing hitch