Metal bumpers etc ideas

[SteveTB03]

So I found out that my best friends girlfriends dad has his own welder, blaster etc etc

So I know some guys here have plate bumpers and tube but what kinda bumper should I make? I was wanting something strong but light in weight something that I'm going to be able to incorporate a front hitch and skid plates on it along with lights of course.

And what kind of ideas do you guys gave for some different metal projects?

I'm just thinking of all the possibilities I have now to do mods!!

[HARDTRAILZ]

I was just talking to the guy getting my steel for the rear tire carrier and we were talking about building a front bumper and it will be around 150 in steel and 3-400 for labor, so i think it will be easier to adapt something else and make it fit for what i need.

base yours on JD or roadies bumper. that is about the cleanest simplest design for out trucks.

You at least need a solid center to cover frame ends IMO so a full tube is not that great..That was my biggest pet peeve with the stinger bumper I ran. The frame and center stuff all open. I like the tube ends and seeing the tire, but not the frame

[bgwolfpack]

HARDTRAILZ is on the same thought process as me. Do you want a winch? If so than why not just start with a heavy duty box (or rectangle) to attach to the frame with room for a winch and you can always add looped steel tubes to it later. There's always room to add lights. KISS

[janesy86]

Yea I agree with Hardtrailz, I like the tubes on the sides as well, but would like to have the center portion filled in.

I like Teebes' JK bumper a lot, but maybe a little wider, more form fitting to the TB, but I love his idea to use the one he did. I'd like to eventually get one made like that.

[SteveTB03]

Well I was contemplating a metal plate bumper like jd but I don't really want a winch on mine.

So you guys don't like a tube bumper I take it cuz I can get a 22' of DOM fir 100$ 13/8" with .120 ID

Now I might have seen it before but what kind of plates do I need for a bumper like JD's?

[janesy86]

No I really do love tube bumpers, just have the center boxed in, like Hardtrailz said to cover the frame rails and such. But I like seeing the tires and the look of the tubes...

[SteveTB03]

Now what do you mean boxed in? I'm not understanding that part.

[janesy86]

Like steel plate covering the middle portion of the bumper so its just not all tube. Gives it more of a complete look in my mind.

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[Gordinho80]

I think what they mean is this....

See how you can see the frame rails in this pic?


Well, that's what Kyle said about doing something to cover the frame ends... so you don't see those unsightly frame rail ends...

Like Teebes' bumper...


Notice how you don't see his frame rails....

[SteveTB03]

Yes now I see exactly what you guys mean ok well I love the look of the teebes' bumper its nice.

Thanks for the pics!!

[HARDTRAILZ]

Well all this bumper chat made me decide to play around some before a dropped the hammer on buying a bumper. Trying to hold off, but really wanting a real bumper. So I took the stock piece of shit and hacked off the hoops since they are pointless for me and knocked the lower half of the stinger toy and came up with this...

[SteveTB03]

That actually don't look half bad in fact that looks really good on the TB there with the stocker left on.

[janesy86]

Not bad at all, much better than before I must say. And Mikes radiator skid sets it off nice too.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I need to do some grinding and stuff for a flusher fit, but I did push it back under the grill an extra 1.5 inches and I have the stockpiece only lifted with a 1 inch spacer to keep the gaps a bit better. Probably do some clean up and run it for a bit. Still cant find a good mounting place for tow hooks. Just not enough flat area on the frame. Debating on putting my Pro Comp lights in for a bit, but I really want to hit the 4x4 jamboree in a couple weeks and buy something more solid, but I do like this better than plastic or just the reinforcement bar.

I really did it to help give the OP some ideas of what we were discussing. Hopefully it gets some wheels turnign and we get more custom bumpers...maybe even something reasonable to reproduce.

[Regulator1175]

Looks really good Kyle. It definitely helps show off the radiator skid plate as well! I think you toss a couple of lights in the triangle portions on either side and it would look pretty sweet!

[fishsticks]

Me likey!


*Gets welder out. Looks around for spare parts*

[SteveTB03]

Oh you guys are definitely got my wheels turning I can't wait until I get the materials bought.

I'm actually making a few designs right now and will be doing a mock up of them so I can se for sure how it'll fit and look like.

Thanks again guys keep the ideas coming if we get some more interest maybe more will go custom.

[Philberto]

Liking that a lot, Kyle.

One question though: Why not bend the side tubes so that they follow the front lines more closely? Structural reasons? Or just don't want to mess with it since you're looking for a new bumper anyways? I personally think that you could build a box for a winch and just attach your existing stinger bit to it with a bit of ingenuity and pretty much have your own custom winch bumper, but that's just me. As far as I'm concerned, you've completed the more complicated outer section, you just need to build a strong base for support and the winch.

[madmanvillain]

thats almost exactly what im planning on building...eventualy...just not a stinger like his just a loop that goes up to protect my radiator and hood and lights a bit

[HARDTRAILZ]

The ends are not curved because I dont have a tubing bender and was just playing with shit around the garage. It was made for a fullsize chev and adapted.

I would not put any of that crap metal from the factory or that stinger near a winch. It is no where near strong. The stinger is stronger than the factory, but the factory part is thin about 20 seconds per side with a sawzall and done. It felt like i could have scored it with and exacto knife and broke it off.

The other big thing is...I am not sure i want a winch. The bumper I am leaning toward is set up for a winch, but I don't have that much need and like the portability of a reciever mounted one. I really consider cutting the round tube support between frame rails and replacing it with a hitch to be able to hang a winch from if needed.

Cutting and welding are not the issues, it is bending anything or folding anything to make a bumper. The metal was quaoted at around 150 plus a few hundred for labor and for that amount I can buy the bumper I like and fab up some mounts.

Still looking around for a bumper that will flow into the skid and look decent with some actual strength. It has been fun playing, but I am wanting a real bumper not that I have tried a couple things and know about what I want.