Best Bumper Conversion for the $$$?

HiWaYman92 · Oct 19, 2009

Hey guys, since sled season is just around the corner, I have the itch again. I have an 08 M1000, and have toying with the idea of doing a rear bumper kit. It looks like VE makes a really nice kit, but it looks a little pricey. I heard guys were having lots of problems with the BDX kit, and heard that the Cat parts were an option as well. What is your opinion on which way to go? How much do these cost after everything is installed? Do I need to get a different heat exchanger, hoses,...etc?

89sandman · Oct 19, 2009

i love my bdx...

Bearcat · Oct 19, 2009

Cat parts cost me about 50$ (bumper and foot supports). Straightened the rear cooler and cut stock tunnel. Cheap but not as cool as some other way.

smokindave · Oct 19, 2009

Black Diamond has done updates and have excellent products.I just ordered mine and will be post pictures through out instalation as soon as I recieve parts.The price is right also.The Cat update from 08 to 09 and up looks nice but you have a hole to block off on top and to run the led light the power soarce has to be changed,ask your cat dealer about it.With BDX you use your stock tail light.

Dave

smokindave · Oct 19, 2009

89sandman said:
i love my bdx...

That sure is a nice looking Cat.

73GOLIATH · Oct 19, 2009

i run the bdx and it works great 3rd year on my sled

wastedeep · Oct 19, 2009

i did the stock parts on my 07 m8
about $60.00
cut stock tunnel shorten it by 4 inches
tail light went into the seat flap

mmmod · Oct 19, 2009

van amburg does a whole rear tunnel section modeled after their boondock tunnel that looks sweet:beer;

YooperScott · Oct 19, 2009

smokindave said:
The Cat update from 08 to 09 and up looks nice but you have a hole to block off on top and to run the led light the power soarce has to be changed,ask your cat dealer about it.With BDX you use your stock tail light.

Dave

With the Cat update you only have a hole on top (which gets covered by the heat exchanger) if you get the '09 tunnel extension too. If you keep your stock extension and cut it (which is what you have to do with the BDX kit) then there is no hole. That is a more apples to apples comparison. Wiring the LED light is a matter of splicing three wires together simply because the connectors are different which is less than a 10 minute job.

mtn_rider08 · Oct 19, 2009

What updates have been done to the BDX kits? I picked up an older one used at the WSSA swap meet. When I install it, I was goin to put a peice of aluminum inside the tunnel for some more strenghth. willl this work?

agent orange · Oct 19, 2009

i had bdx on my m1000 and m7, both cracked out, just changed to new van amburg kit. WAY better. but more $$$$ also.

Vern · Oct 19, 2009

me and my bro just got the cat parts to do ours for $38 for the bumper and both foot gusset things, mines not done yet so i don't have any pics but it is essentially the same thing as the BDX kit.

alpineterry · Oct 19, 2009

I used the cat parts ( extension,tail light, flap, bumper,and heat exchanger) I have not done the van amburg one but have done the rest . The factory parts are way nicer but and there is always a but there more money.

bohn644 · Oct 19, 2009

VanAmburgh

This is a no brainer. You need strength and others will bend under pressure.
It cost more but looks great and you only have to do it once.

blackcloud2k · Oct 19, 2009

I have the VE rear bumper and I really like it. In my eyes it looked alot stronger than the other kits. I will be removing it to go to the new VE rear boondocker tunnel section shortly (as soon as I have time to order parts and install them.

snoschu · Oct 19, 2009

wastedeep said:
i did the stock parts on my 07 m8
about $60.00
cut stock tunnel shorten it by 4 inches
tail light went into the seat flap

Wastedeep,
Can you post some more pictures? I like the way it looks. I would like to do something similar on my o5.
Thanks

73GOLIATH · Oct 19, 2009

hi
mtn rider bdx has the reinforcement brackets in stock they will ship dir to you

Bearcat · Oct 19, 2009

snoschu said:
Wastedeep,
Can you post some more pictures? I like the way it looks. I would like to do something similar on my o5.
Thanks

Here's some pics of my -06. You need to weld those foot support things into rolls otherwise they will broke. I welded them after these pics are taken and another support was lost.

RMKdude · Oct 20, 2009

I am planning on doing the VE Bumper and side gussets with stock 09 cat running board edges, should end up being right at 200 buck shipped. I didn''t think that was to bad considering how much aluminum is in the VE compared to the BDX. Though i think that the BDX is a fine kit now with the updates, this still seems like it will be a bit sturdier and as always i am going for the one that is a little less $$$

Ausm7499 · Oct 20, 2009

I will be doing the VE conversion on my 08. It looks like the strongest and I like the looks. I just dont want to have to worry about bending sh*t when I have to tow somebody out.

Best Bumper Conversion for the $$$?

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