Who wants a plate bumper?

[jasonochs25]

I am going to be designing a plate bumper front and rear for my 97 4runner and will also be in the works to start making these for other fellow 4runner owners if there's enough interest.

I have been shopping for one and am shocked at the prices these companies are charging and will take on the project myself. I have been in metal fab/welding for 19 years (Mostly aluminum, 20 yrs. in Feb '16), been welding and cutting since I was 13 or so...I can do this!

Please reply if you would be interested in one. I will be working on designs and will continue from there.

For the rear I want to incorporate a swing away spare holder and may make that an option if there isn't a high demand for that. Front will have winch mound (boxed), light mounts/ blinker mounts etc., possibly built in air tank and possibly water tight storage box for straps/ jumper cables/ etc.

If you don't like a particular design, but want one with your own touch...I may be able to help you out (blinkers mounted in a different spot, no holes for extra lights, no winch, etc. You get the idea

 

[Bijan]

I am going to be designing a plate bumper front and rear for my 97 4runner and will also be in the works to start making these for other fellow 4runner owners if there's enough interest.

I have been shopping for one and am shocked at the prices these companies are charging and will take on the project myself. I have been in metal fab/welding for 19 years (Mostly aluminum, 20 yrs. in Feb '16), been welding and cutting since I was 13 or so...I can do this!

Please reply if you would be interested in one. I will be working on designs and will continue from there.

For the rear I want to incorporate a swing away spare holder and may make that an option if there isn't a high demand for that. Front will have winch mound (boxed), light mounts/ blinker mounts etc., possibly built in air tank and possibly water tight storage box for straps/ jumper cables/ etc.

If you don't like a particular design, but want one with your own touch...I may be able to help you out (blinkers mounted in a different spot, no holes for extra lights, no winch, etc. You get the idea

Nice.
I am in the market for a rear bumper w/ tire carrier, hi lift jack bracket, and rotopax.

I personally would like to see a lower profile version of our stock bumpers. A side step cut on driver / pass, square baja led reverse / work lights....and possible winch mount for the rear. (Trailer hitch of course too)

 

[jasonochs25]

Maybe you can send me pics of some of the things youd like to see? As far as a winch mount for rear...would using the hitch mount work? or would you want to mount a winch back there like on the front? Lights on the back are a great idea and will be in the works. Lower profile so as to not scrape when wheeling?

 

[MattJakobs]

Nice.
I am in the market for a rear bumper w/ tire carrier, hi lift jack bracket, and rotopax.

I personally would like to see a lower profile version of our stock bumpers. A side step cut on driver / pass, square baja led reverse / work lights....and possible winch mount for the rear. (Trailer hitch of course too)

This is exactly what I want. Something with a little bit lower profile with swing out and accessories.

 

[steezemcqueen]

Props for doing it yourself. However once you build one complete, i think you will find that what other companies charge is not unfair whatsoever once you take in to account the material, labor, packing, shipping, etc etc that goes into producing them.

I've seen and personally been a part of that mindset and seen what it actually takes to fabricate bumpers that will fit and arrive in one piece when shipped across the country and bolted to a different vehicle than you built it on.

Either way, i wish you luck in the endeavor.

 

[jasonochs25]

Props for doing it yourself. However once you build one complete, i think you will find that what other companies charge is not unfair whatsoever once you take in to account the material, labor, packing, shipping, etc etc that goes into producing them.

I've seen and personally been a part of that mindset and seen what it actually takes to fabricate bumpers that will fit and arrive in one piece when shipped across the country and bolted to a different vehicle than you built it on.

Either way, i wish you luck in the endeavor.

I hear ya! and thanks! One thing about me...I have such a hard time putting a price on ME! Meaning I seem to never put labor into the mix. I do a LOT of welding and favors for people for free. Its just me. I still think I can do one for less than 1200 bucks though LOL.

Shipping is going to be hell. They'll have to be crated and shipped via truck, which isnt cheap. Youre also right about the fitment. MY 97 might be the same year as YOUR 97, but things dont always work that way...holes are off, different trim levels, etc.

Regarding that aspect...I'd hope that people will see that these are made by hand and that there may be discrepancies, but many will not, and, in turn, throw a fit.

Thank you for your response! The idea isnt dead, but youve giving me a few things to think about!

 

[Webbuff]

I would be interested. Need both currently but price has always been a concern. A built in air-tank would be awesome.

I would also be interested in the tire swing away for the back.

 

[volkinator]

Definitely interested! Can't wait to see what you come up with! If you need feedback/ideas. Let me know!!

 

[JayRolla]

A hybrid plate/tube rear bumper thats low profile, has a tire swing out and tow hitch is in pretty high demand around here. Research the rear bumpers. Lots of issues with rear bumpers contacting body during flex situations and raddling tire carriers. If you make a sold rear bumper im sure lots will jump on board.

 

[jasonochs25]

Definitely interested! Can't wait to see what you come up with! If you need feedback/ideas. Let me know!!

Definitely need ideas and feedback! From what I can see, most, if not all of the bumpers look pretty much the same with a few little differences here and there. I'm sure whatever I come up with will look like the rest! LOL I'm hoping for some subtleties and a few things others may not have.

Please post some ideas youd like to see!

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

I am going to be designing a plate bumper front and rear for my 97 4runner and will also be in the works to start making these for other fellow 4runner owners if there's enough interest.

I have been shopping for one and am shocked at the prices these companies are charging and will take on the project myself. I have been in metal fab/welding for 19 years (Mostly aluminum, 20 yrs. in Feb '16), been welding and cutting since I was 13 or so...I can do this!

Please reply if you would be interested in one. I will be working on designs and will continue from there.

For the rear I want to incorporate a swing away spare holder and may make that an option if there isn't a high demand for that. Front will have winch mound (boxed), light mounts/ blinker mounts etc., possibly built in air tank and possibly water tight storage box for straps/ jumper cables/ etc.

If you don't like a particular design, but want one with your own touch...I may be able to help you out (blinkers mounted in a different spot, no holes for extra lights, no winch, etc. You get the idea

You should so try and do one in aluminum it would be so interesting

 

[jasonochs25]

A hybrid plate/tube rear bumper thats low profile, has a tire swing out and tow hitch is in pretty high demand around here. Research the rear bumpers. Lots of issues with rear bumpers contacting body during flex situations and raddling tire carriers. If you make a sold rear bumper im sure lots will jump on board.

Hybrid, meaning gas/electric? Not sure....hmmm.

Just kidding. I'll look into a way to mount the tire carrier more solid and an all around more solid bumper that wont flex under severe conditions and hit the body

 

[jasonochs25]

You should so try and do one in aluminum it would be so interesting

I would...and could, but dont think it'll last. I could use 1/4" diamond plate, but it's pricey! It would look nice though!

 

[Bijan]

Maybe you can send me pics of some of the things youd like to see? As far as a winch mount for rear...would using the hitch mount work? or would you want to mount a winch back there like on the front? Lights on the back are a great idea and will be in the works. Lower profile so as to not scrape when wheeling?

Maybe I can mock up a sketch tonight.
I'm really just fantasizing about the rear mount winch. But yes it would be to mount a full winch like the front. I hope I never have to be in a situation like that but I love wheeling / exploring, and it seems like a rear winch could be very helpful in a sticky situation.

Lower profile or...stealth or sleek like. I have flares on my truck. I like how stock bumpers compliment the flare by adding a tiny flare on the bumper itself.
Yes - mainly for better clearance when going up steep inclines, and at full flex the rear tires won't scrub as bad.

Definitely more "plate" style people on here in my eyes.

If you look at the CBI & Shrockworks rear bumpers, those have cool looks and accessories but I too think someone can do better.

 

[GSPRunner]

Don't need anymore bumpers, but sub'd to see what you come up with. We definitely need more options for 3rd gens so thanks!

 

[ThorInc]

Interested, would be dependent on weight and price.

 

[99Runnr]

I hear ya! and thanks! One thing about me...I have such a hard time putting a price on ME! Meaning I seem to never put labor into the mix. I do a LOT of welding and favors for people for free. Its just me. I still think I can do one for less than 1200 bucks though LOL.

Shipping is going to be hell. They'll have to be crated and shipped via truck, which isnt cheap. Youre also right about the fitment. MY 97 might be the same year as YOUR 97, but things dont always work that way...holes are off, different trim levels, etc.

Regarding that aspect...I'd hope that people will see that these are made by hand and that there may be discrepancies, but many will not, and, in turn, throw a fit.

Thank you for your response! The idea isnt dead, but youve giving me a few things to think about!

I didn't read past this post. If you continue this endeavor, good luck and for shipping;

Greyhound will ship without a crate/box. I sent numerous large item's with just bubble wrap/shrink wrap only, or shrink wrap only. Nothing was damaged, so a bare steel welded bumper should survive fine. Their prices were MUCH less then Fedex and UPS.

Only thing is, you have to go and drop the stuff off at the bus station. For a smaller volume business adventure, it might be a possibility though without the headache of crating stuff.

 

[Singtoe]

I would be interested in an aluminum plate bumper also.

 

[tx_shooter]

I live just south of you in Granbury and might be interested depending on what you come up with. I have been drooling over the CBI hybrid front / rear bumpers. They look clean and do not weigh much. IMO weight is a front issue with bumpers - especially on DDs.

 

[97_Runner]

In my opinion you don't have to look much further than two of the members on this forum.

One is blcktpgsr. He modded a stock ARB bumber and made it into one of the best looking bumpers you can find on a 4Runner:

And then he went ahead and made one of the best looking rear bumpers:

The other bumper I think looks incredible is from another member GentryGoon:

I believe he mentioned the previous owner built it himself and it just works with the 4Runner really well.

I also like Bijan's idea of a "lower profile version of our stock bumpers." I much prefer the look of the 4Runners before the "fat lip" of the 99s.

Another idea that I believe would get a lot of traction would be a Whitson Metalworks style roof rack, but in aluminum. Whitson Metalworks is of course a commercial outfit though, so that would have to be cleared with him - but I've yet to see anyone match how clean his roof racks look.