Dodge Ram 1500 Step Bumpers

• The Dodge Ram 1500, a  full-size pickup truck,  easily gained popularity all across America because of its utility, style and towing ability. 
• A step bumper is commonly found on trucks, vans and suvs. It typically looks like a cut-out mounted above the license plate. 
• A typical Dodge Ram 1500 step bumper would cost you around $290 to $900. 
• Cracks, dents and other scratches do not only look bad on your vehicle, they are also a security risk especially when you use it for towing. 
• Installing a step bumper may be easy but so save you time, it is best to contact your trusted mechanic to do it for you. 

 

It was in 1981 when Dodge first introduced pickup trucks carrying the RAM name. The truck was first introduced as the redesigned Ram and Power Ram following the retirement of the Dodge D Series pickup trucks. The Dodge Ram 1500 is a  full-size pickup truck that easily gained popularity all across America because of its utility, style and towing ability. Since its introduction, it has been a consistent A-lister among its segment rivals. 

 

One important component of any pickup truck is the bumper. Bumpers, which are attached to the front or rear ends of a vehicle, are designed to absorb and diffuse the impact during minor collisions. One kind of rear bumper for pickup trucks like the Dodge Ram is the step bumper. 

 

There are different kinds of step bumpers in the market today. These are deep drop, standard, roll pan, tube, and step. A step bumper is commonly found on trucks, vans, and suvs. It typically looks like a cut-out that frames the license plate from below.

 

Aside from completing the overall aesthetic appeal of your truck, step bumpers have two other functions. A step bumper has holes for hitch balls that can be used to tow lightweight vehicles. This is the reason why it is also called a tow bumper. Since it is mounted above the license plate, it can also serve as a stepping platform. Step bumpers are among the most popular type of rear bumper options especially for the larger vehicle variants.

 

Since step bumpers are quite straightforward automotive parts, there is not much when it comes to its types. However, the fact that bumpers also play an interesting role in your pickup’s aesthetic appeal, they can come in different finishes. Here are the most common step bumper finishes available for your Dodge Ram. 

 

Painted 

Painted step bumpers usually come in black, gray or silver. They best suite you if your truck also comes with these body colors. These makes the step bumper easy to maintain since it has the same painted body color as the entire vehicle body. However, most painted step bumpers are not as scratch-resistant compared to other variants such as powder-coated or chrome-plated step bumpers. 

 

Powder-coated

Because of the benefits of the powder-coating method, this type of bumper is usually more durable. Powder-coated surfaces are more resistant to wearing, scratching, and fading compared to others. Unlike paint, powder coat makes use of a dry powder that uses electrostatic technology to color the surface of your bumper. It creates an end result with similar look and feel of painted bumpers but with more durability. 

 

Primed

This kind of step bumper is an ideal choice especially if you had your car’s body color customized. It is coated with a primer, which means you will have to paint it with the color you want. If you want it to look perfectly smooth, you have the option to hire a professional to do it for you. 

 

Chrome-plated

This is the most common step bumper finish. Chrome plating is a metal coating method in which a  thin layer of chromium is coated onto  the metal objects. This results in a more corrosion resistant surface. However, prolonged gunk on the surface can reduce its shine. It is advised to clean a chrome-plated step bumper regularly to avoid fading. 

 

There have been many generations of Dodge Ram 1500 ever since it was introduced. To assure that you are getting the most accurate fit for your vehicle, input the correct year, make and model into our search engine. 

 

A typical Dodge Ram 1500 step bumper would cost you around $290 to $900. A step bumper is usually  sold as an individual part. A typical step bumper package already comes with the mounting brackets so you would not have to worry about buying the brackets separately. 

 

Since step bumpers are external components, it is easy to know if there’s a damage. Cracks, dents and other scratches don’t only look bad on your vehicle, they are also a security risk especially when you use it for towing. Replacing damaged step bumpers also preserves your vehicle’s resale value. 

 

Installing a step bumper may be easy but so save you time, it is best to contact your trusted mechanic to do it for you. This would also ensure that your step bumper is fitted correctly in the rear of your truck to avoid accidents.