Stage 1 of building front bumper

[MileHighClimb]

Ive loved the look of plate bumpers and couldn't decide which one I really wanted. So using my imagination, I have been designing bumpers for the last couple of weeks and finally narrowed it down to one. It took some time to learn how to design it but it looks exactly how I want it to look. I plan to make it completely out of 3/16" steel. I will not be doing the welding but a family friend of mine will be. Since he gave me the idea to build my own. I would appreciate opinions on it and critique it to the best of your knowledge. I am new at this and don't have 100% of the correct measurements but they are close. Once my friend has time we will create a template out of cardboard for exact measurements. Enjoy. FYI this will be slow for perfection and time consumption, so don't expect results right away.

 

[BrandonF]

I really like your design. Will you add a hitch receiver or winch location? It will really increase the functionality of the bumper.

Here is a picture of my design. I first mocked it up with cardboard and then drew all of the individual places using 2D CAD with dimensions for laser cutting. It's been put on hold for now due to a shoulder surgery but I hope to get it cut out and tacked together by the end of the year.

The winch platform and some of the central brackets will be made out of 1/4" and the rest will be 3/16". The shackle mounts will be cut right into the main vertical uprights to save weight, complexity and avoid becoming points to snag on the rocks and dirt. They will be made from two 1/4" plates welded together.

I will also add tubing for grill/headlight hoops and supports underneath the side wings.

My priorities were to get the absolute maximum clearance possible and make it extremely strong, especially the side wings. I have a rear 4Xinnovations rear bumper and an ARB front bumper and its shocking how flexy the ARB is. It also gets hung up on everything. I calculated my bumper to weight in at 90 lbs. The tubing will add another 18-20 lbs.

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[MileHighClimb]

Alrighty so I ran this bumper across with my buddy and he said he would tweak it a little for me and see how i like it. Lets just say i'm very impressed with the new look. He gave me two options to pick from.

 

[Elesage]

do you have a pic's of this......i want to build mine next summer....:lever:

 

[Dephcon]

Are the cut outs for the stock signal markers? Have you thought of integrated driving\foglights into the bumper?

I personally love the looks of the shrockworks bumper for the 3rd gen. If I ever designed one it would most likely be a clone of that one, but you have a very nice design here.

 

[MileHighClimb]

do you have a pic's of this......i want to build mine next summer....:lever:

These are the only pictures I have right now not sure which on i like more but once I do i will make cardboard templates. I can take more pictures then.

 

[MileHighClimb]

Are the cut outs for the stock signal markers? Have you thought of integrated driving\foglights into the bumper?

Those cut outs are not for the stock turn signals i plan on putting 3" pods in there. I'm not sure what i'm going to use for the turn signals, i'm thinking of a small amber LED off to the side a bit.

 

[Elesage]

I just saw the pic's...... the computer at work thos not alway show pic's:crutch: i like the bottom one with the small hoop.....but the big hoop give you more protection...... I'll fallow the build.... :bigok:

 

[MileHighClimb]

Alrighty so I finally got my front bumper off and got some cardboard from work. from how it came out there need to be some changes to the design. It sticks out further than I would like it to so im going to shave about 2" off the end to bring it closer to the body.

 

[BrandonF]

How many inches does it stick out past the center of the grill? I managed to make mine a hair less than 3" and still squeeze the winch in there (I am cutting a small section of the grill out mind you).

 

[D Farms]

yeah you dont want to go for the phanny pack look here, lets keep it like a nice bikini.

 

[MandAtaco]

Looks good, nice design!

 

[MileHighClimb]

Like I said I'm going to bring the bumper in a few inches. There are also going to be some slight changes to the way the base is once I cut the end of the rails off.

 

[MileHighClimb]

Alrighty, so since i am in college, this project has been put on hold till I come home for winter break. That seems to be the only time that my friend and I are able to have the same time off. I have just a few questions that I'm hoping some of you Coloradans can help with. Where would be the best place to get a 3/16" plate steel? Right now we both are thinking of metalsupermarket, but if any of you know a place cheaper please let me know. However in my mean time waiting for winter break to come, I decided why not start the rear bumper. Why not match, right?

 

[csp]

K&K surplus near the Mile Hi flea market. You can have pieces cut or find drops in their scrap pieces.

C&M Iron in Englewood as well. Stay away from the online places, there are plenty of steel shops in Denver.

 

[MileHighClimb]

Thanks a lot @csp. Good to see other people are in Parker!

 

[MileHighClimb]

Added Jerry Can mount that holds two.

 

[ralatkins]

bumper looks great

 

[MileHighClimb]

Got a chance to build a proper fitting template. Glue works a lot better than tape does thats for sure.

 

[Volumetrik]

Did you use hot glue ? Template is taking form. Nice rear section for the bumper.