TRYING TO DECIDE ON A WINCH BUMPER. NEED INPUT( pic request)

[SAR_Runner]

here are more photos of mine in the fab process. I can post a link to the instruction photos if you really want to get in the weeds with details.

Removal of the stock bumper and lower bumper steel.

Take the main bracket and the outsides of the frame and tack them together to make the winch cradle and the strength of the bumper. This material is just thicker than 1/4"

Once you tack it together you pull it off and fully weld the joints, it is all keyed together and goes together very clean. once the main frame is welded you can start to piece the skin together.

I decided that I didnt like how far out the ends were on the wings and trimmed them back so they were under the line of the fender. I think the 06-09 are a tad wider with the flares and they terminate differently.
Before

After

The rest is what holes you want to drill and what lights you want.
The winch mount fit my Smittybilt 10K winch perfectly. The only thing that I would do differently would be to have the access holes for the winch cut a tad bit bigger, i have big hands and with gloves on it is hard to get my hand in and out when free spooling the winch. Also pick up some 1/2" hose or split loom to put over the edge of the openings to make them look a bit cleaner.
I opted to cut my own holes for lights, both good and bad... If they were cut by Corey, they would have been both the same size and the exact same location. At the time of ordering I didnt know what exactly I wanted to install. I ordered a set of lights for a buddy's car and we went a different way, so I was left with 4 LED driving lights... so I started cutting and here is what I ended up with...

The only thing left for me to figure out is where else to add more lights! I have been looking into the RCI skids to better protect the gap between the factory skid and the end of the bumper.

Let me know what else you want to see. I can take pics of what you specifically want.

 

[ddnww]

here are more photos of mine in the fab process. I can post a link to the instruction photos if you really want to get in the weeds with details.

.

How many hours of welding/grinding etc would you say it took.

 

[SAR_Runner]

Probably 10 to 12 hours total, that includes the time to mock up and trim as needed. I used 6 cans of Rustoleum Hammered finish paint and applied it in 4 coats. the base coat I did sand almost the whole way off.

 

[4thgenblake]

here are more photos of mine in the fab process. I can post a link to the instruction photos if you really want to get in the weeds with details.



Removal of the stock bumper and lower bumper steel.

Take the main bracket and the outsides of the frame and tack them together to make the winch cradle and the strength of the bumper. This material is just thicker than 1/4"

Once you tack it together you pull it off and fully weld the joints, it is all keyed together and goes together very clean. once the main frame is welded you can start to piece the skin together.

I decided that I didnt like how far out the ends were on the wings and trimmed them back so they were under the line of the fender. I think the 06-09 are a tad wider with the flares and they terminate differently.

Before

After

The rest is what holes you want to drill and what lights you want.

The winch mount fit my Smittybilt 10K winch perfectly. The only thing that I would do differently would be to have the access holes for the winch cut a tad bit bigger, i have big hands and with gloves on it is hard to get my hand in and out when free spooling the winch. Also pick up some 1/2" hose or split loom to put over the edge of the openings to make them look a bit cleaner.

I opted to cut my own holes for lights, both good and bad... If they were cut by Corey, they would have been both the same size and the exact same location. At the time of ordering I didnt know what exactly I wanted to install. I ordered a set of lights for a buddy's car and we went a different way, so I was left with 4 LED driving lights... so I started cutting and here is what I ended up with...

The only thing left for me to figure out is where else to add more lights! I have been looking into the RCI skids to better protect the gap between the factory skid and the end of the bumper.



Let me know what else you want to see. I can take pics of what you specifically want.

Dude.... You ****ing killed it

 

[J053619]

I also vouch for Addicted off road. Cleanest bumper IMO, light and aggressive. I also like how its not as bulky as the rest of them.

 

[4thgenblake]

Bulkier than some, but in my opinion the best tube style number you can buy. Especially if you accommodate it right. I think mine looks aggressive it's perfect and i love it

Provides thick armor, and space for adding auxiliaries. I have x3 hella offroad lights, plan to add a winch in the square cutout in the future, as well as flush mounting a single row led bar. Actually I have tons of ideas for adding lights and accessories and this bumper provides it

Arb 4x4 accessories

 

[truc.karl]

No doubt that the ARB is one of the toughest and nice looking bumpers you can get. The only con I think is the price.

 

[JustinB]

Price. Not body-lift friendly unless you want to make up your own brackets. No tow points on the front (which leads me to think it may not be as tough as they want us to think). Took me too much modification of that cheap plastic shroud and some welding to get aftermarket fog lights that aren't their specified ones in. And frankly after several months and multiple days spent up close and inside it (aftermarket fog lights, wiring, winch mounting, wiring, repairing first shoddy attempt at aftermarket fog lights, etc.) I don't think the quality is that great. Certainly a big-box-store kind of feel. And maybe this is to be expected, I don't know, but I'm constantly cleaning up surface rust from around most of the welds.

I got a great deal, and it serves its purpose and I'm sure it will for the life of the 4Runner. So I'm a happy enough camper. But if I could do it over again, I'd either go weld together (and have a welder/friend I trust and appreciate their work do the welding) or save up and go one of the others like Shrock, DO, etc. Those are basically custom bumpers built to order it seems like, eliminating the big-box-store issues you may or may not encounter, as I have, with the ARB.

Just my 2 cents though

 

[ddnww]

thanks for all the replies guys.

Current status:

after initially leaning towards the diy weld together kit, I was getting some quotes that didn't really make it that much of a savings. Most guys were quoting 300-500 for labor.

So I have gotten a couple local fabricators that im interested in. They both have agreed to $800 to build me a custom one. Here's one of their work. he will make it custome one of a kind and can write whatever on it if I want. the other guy im waiting on pics of bumpers. I seen his work on tube work for crawlers etc.

 

[SDr6]

Keep us updated!

If who ever you choose does a good job I'm in for one. I'd rather keep things local and save a few $$ on shipping.

.....you know and finally get to that trip I said I'd go on last year

 

[ddnww]

Will do [MENTION=24355]SDr6[/MENTION] I'm probably going to go with the guy posted above, the other guy didn't really have any plate bumper style, most his work was tube work. Plus this guy will make it fully custom whatever you want .


NEW QUESTIONS:

am I correct that the factory fogs are not able to be mounted in an aftermarket bumper?

If they are, what is the mounting diameter I need for him to make the recessed fogs?

if not, is there a standard size for aftermarket fogs? Or where can I see what my options are? I'm trying to stay on a budget remember, so no high end gear.

 

[03BlueRunner]

Undercover HWMS

Sounds like you've decided, but one more to consider (I really like it):

Undercover HWMS ? Online Store

It's a hidden mount system that keeps your factory bumper. Pretty slick.

 

[ddnww]

Sounds like you've decided, but one more to consider (I really like it):

Undercover HWMS ? Online Store

It's a hidden mount system that keeps your factory bumper. Pretty slick.

thank you, I was pondering the idea of a hidden winch, but then I decided that eventually I will still want the aftermarket bumper look, so better so save money and do it right the first time.

 

[SAR_Runner]

NEW QUESTIONS:

am I correct that the factory fogs are not able to be mounted in an aftermarket bumper?

If they are, what is the mounting diameter I need for him to make the recessed fogs?

if not, is there a standard size for aftermarket fogs? Or where can I see what my options are? I'm trying to stay on a budget remember, so no high end gear.

1: you would have a hard time getting them to mount.
2: ? I am of no help as I have an 03 but i would quickly abandon mounting factory fogs.
3: spend a few bucks on a set of Rigid duallies, they run about 175 a pair but you will not be disappointed with the light output. I used some cheap Ebay lights and will be replacing them soon. they should measure about 3"x3" I would also look into a single row LED bar. lots of light and usually a 30" will fit in front of the grill perfectly.

 

[ddnww]

1: you would have a hard time getting them to mount.
2: ? I am of no help as I have an 03 but i would quickly abandon mounting factory fogs.
3: spend a few bucks on a set of Rigid duallies, they run about 175 a pair but you will not be disappointed with the light output. I used some cheap Ebay lights and will be replacing them soon. they should measure about 3"x3" I would also look into a single row LED bar. lots of light and usually a 30" will fit in front of the grill perfectly.

is there anything a little cheaper than the rigid's , I already have a lightbar so I want just some nice yellow fogs that will be legal to ride on the street when needed.

 

[kaizer427]

is there anything a little cheaper than the rigid's , I already have a lightbar so I want just some nice yellow fogs that will be legal to ride on the street when needed.

Lifetime LED

And they make a version that can be white or amber:

https://www.lifetimeledlights.com/led_lights/lifetime_led_lights_3_square_20w_amber_white

 

[ddnww]

lifetime led

and they make a version that can be white or amber:

https://www.lifetimeledlights.com/led_lights/lifetime_led_lights_3_square_20w_amber_white

can i wire these to the factory fog switch?

 

[ddnww]

was looking at these also

KC HiLites - 5 Inch Apollo Pro Series Fog Light Kit | 4WheelParts.com

 

[SAR_Runner]

Lifetime LED

And they make a version that can be white or amber:

https://www.lifetimeledlights.com/led_lights/lifetime_led_lights_3_square_20w_amber_white

Those are flood only and wouldn't be best for fogs, also 65 bucks a light... better off with rigid pair of driving lights with amber snap covers. They are worth the money.

 

[SAR_Runner]

can i wire these to the factory fog switch?

Yes, that is where I have my inner two wired.