DEVELOPING: A real, heavy duty, frame mount, bull bar

[BamaDrewski]

I am in the process of working with a fabrication shop to create a REAL, HEAVY-DUTY, BullBar/PushBar for the 3rd Gens. I have always wanted one and unfortunately, the bull bars that are on the market are more cosmetic than for real protection. I am wondering if anyone would have an interest in these? They will have a options for off-road light mounting and winch mounting. Soon as the first one is done, I will post pics. Keep in mind, these things are going to be "extreme duty". Since I could not find one myself after looking for years, I decided to try and develop one myself.

 

[thebrandon]

What would the pricing range be? Why not just a whole new aftermarket or custom bumper?

 

[txbonds]

How will it be different than the numerous other custom bumpers that bolt or mount to frame that are out there now? Not talking tube or hybrid, but the various plate bumpers on the market that bolt to the frame without using something like ARB style crush cans? Just curious.

 

[BamaDrewski]

Good question. I am going to try and cap the pricing between $200-$250. (Even lower if we can get it there.) It will be powder coated or we could ship it unfinished. With respect to the aftermarket complete bumper, I am trying to make something inexpensive that provides some degree of protection. Those heavy duty bumpers cost a good bit of money not to mention all the work to remove the old bumper and put on the new one. (This would be a bolt-on with little or no modifications needed) If we can get a good amount of protection with heavy steel plate with energy distribution to the frame, I think that the pricing would be good. I know this sounds cheesy but I am thinking of something like the "push bars" on the highway patrol/police vehicles. It would be low profile, distribute the energy, be low cost and still provide protection. Those crappy "for looks only" bull bars will actually do more damage when you hit something than they are worth. I would love to have a full, heavy plate, steel bumper but not many people I know have the $$$$ to invest in that.

 

[morbidsanity]

Good question. I am going to try and cap the pricing between $200-$250. (Even lower if we can get it there.) It will be powder coated or we could ship it unfinished. With respect to the aftermarket complete bumper, I am trying to make something inexpensive that provides some degree of protection. Those heavy duty bumpers cost a good bit of money not to mention all the work to remove the old bumper and put on the new one. (This would be a bolt-on with little or no modifications needed) If we can get a good amount of protection with heavy steel plate with energy distribution to the frame, I think that the pricing would be good. I know this sounds cheesy but I am thinking of something like the "push bars" on the highway patrol/police vehicles. It would be low profile, distribute the energy, be low cost and still provide protection. Those crappy "for looks only" bull bars will actually do more damage when you hit something than they are worth. I would love to have a full, heavy plate, steel bumper but not many people I know have the $$$$ to invest in that.

sounds heavy....

 

[BamaDrewski]

This would not be a bumper. This would be a real bull-bar/push bar. Heavy steel plate, mounted to the frame with little or no modification needed. Think about it; buy a whole bumper (spending lots of $$$), then do all the work to remove the old bumper (remove, grind, etc.). That's awesome if you have the $$$ to do it and I would if I could. I want something inexpensive, good-looking, STRONG, simple and quick. I may (or may not) be able to do it but I am going to try.....

 

[BamaDrewski]

It will weigh much less than a full, steel plate bumper........and much less $$$ as well!!!!!

 

[RedSled]

This would not be a bumper. This would be a real bull-bar/push bar. Heavy steel plate, mounted to the frame with little or no modification needed. Think about it; buy a whole bumper (spending lots of $$$), then do all the work to remove the old bumper (remove, grind, etc.). That's awesome if you have the $$$ to do it and I would if I could. I want something inexpensive, good-looking, STRONG, simple and quick. I may (or may not) be able to do it but I am going to try.....

I say go for it man, i would be interested in seeing the finale product.

 

[xcmtb83]

Why are visions of a Mad Max or Waterworld contraption coming to my mind right now? haha

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Sounds like you'd need to make 2 versions: one for the fat lip bumpers, and one for the 96-98 bumpers?

 

[cj80cruiser]

You're talking about one of these right? Westin Automotive - Ultimate Bull Bar


A fab shop should be able to increase the tube thickness and make this fairly easily.

 

[BamaDrewski]

Why are visions of a Mad Max or Waterworld contraption coming to my mind right now? haha

HAHAHA. That's pretty funny actually!

 

[BamaDrewski]

Those "tube" bull bars are what I actually hate. They look good but as far as strength goes, forget about it! I am talking about "big ole honkin" plates of steel, standing vertically, bolted-to-the-frame, bad to the bone, PUSH BARS with a horizontal shelf to mount lights or a winch. It will be powder coated or shipped unfinished for the user to finish as they wish. (Can anyone tell I am passionate about this?)

 

[BamaDrewski]

That's a good point man. My T4R LTD has the "fat lip" bumper and this is the one we are using for patterning right now. I need to find someone in the central Alabama area that has the other style bumper so we can pattern that as well. Thanks for the tip! (So, anyone in Central Alabama wanna volunteer their T4R for patterning? Might take a hour to do it.....)

 

[cj80cruiser]

I'm curious to see the end result.

The only thing I have to add is even if you use ½ inch thick plate it will only be as strong as all the leverage created by going around your OEM bumper to the frame. Just something to think about.

Not trying to be a doubter, just adding a thought.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm very interested as well. Just an FYI for the readers:

Any bull bar that is frame mounted means that if you hit someone going say 20 mph instead of smashing your replaceable bumper you will bend your frame and possibly total out the truck.

So I fail to see how that would be a good upgrade. Bull bars look like they protect the bumper but your bumper is a lot cheaper to replace then bending the sh$$$t out of your frame which may total the truck.

 

[audiness]

subscribed to thread

 

[lhsoulrebel]

Very interested to see what you come up with!

 

[THatfield]

definitely looking to see what you come up with.

 

[Gerdo]

I'm very interested as well. Just an FYI for the readers:

Any bull bar that is frame mounted means that if you hit someone going say 20 mph instead of smashing your replaceable bumper you will bend your frame and possibly total out the truck.

So I fail to see how that would be a good upgrade. Bull bars look like they protect the bumper but your bumper is a lot cheaper to replace then bending the sh$$$t out of your frame which may total the truck.

You can make something that is overbuilt that doesn't get damaged with a hit but remember what it is mounted on, the frame. If the bar doesn't absorb an impact, the energy will go to the next piece, the frame.