Not trying to be an ass, but use the search button. This topic is as they say “beaten to death”. I’m fairly new to the truck as well but not new to forums and car modification. That is the first thing most everybody is going to yell at you and say especially on a topic like this that has been talked about a billion times and too many options/opinions just like everything else when it comes to modding cars.
Now with all that being said, I will help you out real quick prior to doing all your research as I have an aftermarket stock location IC as well. This logic below to me works for almost any mod you perform on anything really...lol.
1.) RESEARCH! You have a bit of a different situation as you have an aftermarket bumper and need to make sure the one you get will even fit in stock location. So, to you I would recommend searching you bumper specifically and who has done what or contacting SVC and seeing what IC they recommend has best fit for stock location with the bumper you have.
2.) Once you have the options of which ones will work for your application (i.e your specific aftermarket bumper) MORE RESEARCH....lol. Read up on all those IC’s. Best place to research of course is here! People will have already spoken about the usual, quality, fit, ease of install, quality of customer service etc.
3.) Choose best IC for YOU! Again, a litany of parameters you will use to make your decision. The above research, price, your application/use etc.
IMHO, for the everyday user such myself it really wasn’t worth buying something like this new after taking into account all that I stated above. I’m not on constant WOT, dragging and beating the shit out of my truck everywhere to “heat soak” it so I have “optimum performance”. I don’t tow all the time long stretches. I don’t have access to stretches of desert or anything to do long runs, I don’t drag race etc. It’s my daily and I use it as such. That was my reasoning. Again, everyone has a reason/opinion or application in which they use it for. The only reason I got one is because I like tinkering with cars and I found a killer deal on a barley used Injen IC on the forum. As stated 1 billion times, in reality the truck performs and does superbly bone stock more than any other truck out there on the market right now. Ford actually really did it right. Most of the modifications that people are doing are for their specific enjoyment and application to improve on an already great platform. But in reality none of it is needed. Hope I helped some. good luck in your search and happy modding!
[]
