Which Type is Best? Pre-Runner Guard vs. No Guard Front Bumpers:
Appearance aside, the biggest differentiator between pre-runner guard bumpers and no-guard bumpers is in overall protection, visual style, and lighting. For instance, seasoned off-road Ram truck owners who find themselves going off the beaten path and trailblazing their own trails from time to time will find that Pre-Runner options such as the 2019-2022 Red Steel Series Front Bumper serve as a greater option against thick brushes, sudden wayward animal appearances, and other front-facing hazards encountered when off-roading. Furthermore, most Pre-Runner Guard Style bumpers come with additional side and front LED light mounts, giving Ram truck owners the option to upgrade their lighting (which is always a plus in our book). With that said, it is important to note that Ram trucks with the factory front end-camera may experience interference with the Pre-Runner option. On the other hand, Ram truck owners who enjoy the occasional trip towards off-road terrains can't go wrong with options such as the No-Guard Matrix Bumper, or No-Guard Vengeance Front Bumper for a bumper that adheres more towards an OEM aesthetic without compromising on protection. At the end of the day, choosing between these two guard styles comes down to your personal taste in utility, style and overall application. To help you better understand the nuances between Fab Fours line up of bumpers, we can start by looking at the Matrix Series!
The Matrix Bumper
The Matrix Front Bumper is a great choice for Ram truck owners looking to upgrade their truck's overall strength and utility. With that said, Fab Fours offers two variants: the Pre-Runner Guard Matrix Bumper and the No-Runner Guard Matrix Bumper. The Matrix is constructed using a rigid 3/16" plated steel that provides powerful tensile strength paired with abrasion and corrosion resistance. The plating is reinforced with a weather-resistant black powder coat finish, making this bumper practically immune to weather related damages. Needless to say, the overall look of the Matrix is almost guaranteed to catch a few stares and turn heads. Durability is just one of the many features this bumper offers. The Matrix Front Bumper also comes with additional side mounted slots (2 LED Cubes) and a center mount (30" Light Bar) for additional light upgrades and additions. The bumper also comes winch ready (12K or lower) in the event that your fellow off-roaders needs a lift out of a ditch. Featuring a low-cut out design, the Matrix bumper is precisely designed to provide airflow and clearance for larger tire/wheel combinations! Better yet, the bumper is precisely designed to accommodate your Ram truck's OEM sensors. Putting it together, Ram truck owners accomplish greater protection, ground clearance, and additional lighting capabilities without sacrificing the things that make your OEM truck so great.
- Plated Steel Construction
- Black Powder Coated Finish
- Integrated Sensor Holes
- Side Mount Slots for Additional Light Options
The Premium Rear Bumper
Now that we've covered a capable front bumper, its time to take a look an equally capable rear bumper in the form of Fab Fours Premium Rear Bumper. Manufactured using a heavy duty 3/16" carbon steel construction, the Fab Fours Premium Rear Bumper is impervious to bumps and scrapes you may experience on or off-the road. The treated carbon steel is then finished with Fab Fours 2 Stage Black Powder Coat finish for reinforced weather protection and anti-corrosion properties. In short, no amount of rain, wind, heat, or debris can stand a chance against the Premium Rear Bumper. The bumper's heavy-duty protection is followed by a cornucopia of utility features. Need to tow/haul loads for work or play? The Premium Rear Bumper has you covered with two 3/4" D-ring mounts that will accommodate your external cargo. Getting in and out of your truck bed shouldn't have to be a labor-intensive process, even if your truck is lifted. Fortunately, the Premium Rear Bumper comes with integrated side steps on either side of your tailgate for greater accessibility in and out of your Ram 1500's bed. Additionally, this rear bumper accommodates dual-exhaust systems! To top it off, the bumper is sensor compatible and tested on both stock height and lifted trucks. Overall, the name of this bumper tells you all you'll need to know: a premium-grade rear bumper that is built with high-end materials and features.
- Equipped with integrated steps on both sides of tailgate
- Durable heavy duty 3/16" carbon steel construction
- Treated with 2 stage black powder coating for enhanced durability
- Accommodates dual exhaust systems
- 3/4" D-Ring recovery points
The Red Steel Front & Rear Bumpers
Strength, practicality and affordability are the three cornerstone elements that make up both the Front and Rear Red Steel Bumpers. Taking a look at the 2019 - 2022 Ram 1500 Red Steel Front Bumper, this front-end bumper features a winch-ready design that supports up to 12,000 lbs. or lower, integrated shackle mounts for greater towing capacity, and side mounting slots for additional lighting provisions. Following its dedication to using high quality materials, the bumper comes constructed using 11-gauge steel that is finished with Fab Fours blend of durable black powder coat which adds style points, weather protection, and corrosion resistance. The front bumper features a pre-runner guard and an accompanying 1/4" plated steel winch tray. The angular lift found on either side of the front bumper is specially designed to allow Ram truck owners to fit larger tire/wheel arrangements to better suit their driving needs. The front end bumper is meticulously designed to perfectly follow along factory body lines for a perfect fitment and hassle-free installation process. The Red Steel Rear Bumper compliments its front-end counterpart thanks to its similar design philosophy and material construction. Using the same finish and 11-gauge steel, the 2019 - 2022 Ram 1500 Rear Red Steel Bumper also perfectly conforms to your Ram 1500's body lines allowing for ease of installation. This rear end bumper also comes with a logo-cut out with integrated light mounts that hold 3x3 Dually LED cubes for greater rear end visibility.
- 11-Guage Steel Construction
- Winch-Ready: Holds up to 12,000 lbs winch or smaller
- Pre-Runner Guard Option Only
- Incompatible with Dual Exhaust
- Finished with weatherproof Fab Fours Black Powder Coating
- Perfectly follows along body lines
The Vengeance Series Front & Rear Bumpers
Featured as the new light-weight bumper lineup, the Vengeance Series combines a lightweight build that does not weight down your truck while keeping all the distinct features that you'd come to expect from Fab Fours. Available as either a Pre-Runner Guard or No-Guard option, the 2019-2022 Ram 1500 Vengeance Front Bumper is made using 11 gauge heavy duty steel with a weight range of 70-105lbs. Finished with 2 stages of a durable black powder coating, the bumper has a near impenetrable weatherproofing and corrosion resistance. The rugged design of the Vengeance bumper along with its black powder coated finish is precision designed to give your Ram 1500 a killer look. Provided its unique design, the bumper creates even greater tire/wheel clearance, allowing for larger aftermarket wheels/off-road tires. The bumper enhances the look and feel of your truck's front-end without compromising on the factory functionality (i.e front-end sensors) and looks. As per usual Fab Fours standards, the bumper is fashioned with center and side mounted slots for future LED light additions. Similarly, the 2019 - 2022 Ram 1500 Vengeance Rear Bumper is outfitted with the same material construction/finish with a design that accommodates up to two 6" single row LED light bars! Installation of this bumper uses a complete bolt-on process with brackets that tie directly to the frame of your truck. Those who are looking to create a fully-realized off-road monster can look to the utility and added protection offered by this bumper.
- Greater Tire Clearance
- Lightweight / High & Tight Contour for Sleek Design
- 100% Bolt-On Installation
- Sensor Compatible
- Constructed with 11 Gauge Steel
- Stage 2 Black Powder Coat Finish
Final Thoughts
There's a lot to consider with Fab Fours impressive line up of front and rear-end bumpers for the Ram 1500. From winch-ready capabilities, durability, style, and lighting the subtle differences between each series can leave you scratching your head. Having a front-end bumper can enhance your Ram 1500's overall look while providing a trove of features. Many often forget that having a capable rear-end bumper can compliment your lifestyle with features such as enhanced protection, integrated steps, and greater style. Through it all, we here at Stage 3 find that the Vengeance Series Bumpers stand out among the rest thanks to its lightweight build, 100% bolt on installation, and sleek high-and-tight design. However, these are just a few thoughts among a sea of others in the aftermarket world. Feel free to comment your thoughts below and let us know what you think!