WMW Tooob Bumper Build

[Whitson Metalworks]

WMW Tooob Bumper Build***DONE***

Finally pulled the trigger on starting this project. I debated forEVER about which to go with, tube or plate... I have some cool ideas for this one that will have it being more of a hybrid so i went with tube to hopefully save some weight, and give it the ballsy look that tube does (not that plate isn't also ballsy folks).

So i started with a 20' 1-3/4 .120 wall tube, did my best to measure out what i needed and got to cutting.

First snag... I took all of my measurements and angles inside to punch them into my BendTech software. Its great software for sure but i got lost in the axis and tangent garbage and ending up bending the top bar 6 INCHES TO NARROW, WTF. So then i got to cut some slugs and a 6" piece of tube and make it all right...

For the base of the bumper i got a chunk of 3/16" 2x4 tube. it has to be notched to clear an A/C line. I also cut the stock bumper brackets off and notched the 2x4 to slide over the ends of the frame, more on that later.

this piece got welded to the inside to form the fully welded up notch, as if that huge chunk of steel would suffer without it...

i want the thing to be a bolt-on piece, so i can take it off or duplicate it. the stock bumper brackets got cut up for their captured nuts. im going to re-box the frame ends and weld these into the faces of the ends for attachment points for the new bumper.

nuts welded onto the plates. these plates are factory pieces, they arent fully welded to the frame to the welds can be ground down and they pop right off.

i felt like i wanted one more new attachment point. i still had two captured nuts to use somewhere anyways so i drilled the top of the frame about 3 inches back from the end and welded a nut on the inside of the frame. i have to finish welding these in but you can see whats going on here:

More later, this is live action!

 

[Slow_T4R]

Awesome work man. Mucho respect for making your own bumper.

 

[ranbar02]

We need more!!! I like the way you're going with this.

 

[bak3rme]

this is gunna get good...

 

[hrt4me]

will you be mounting a winch?

 

[4x4runner2002]

Waiting for more. You make some pretty good stuff. I love my rack!!!

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I'm going to build in a winch plate, but, i dont have a winch yet so that will be sortof a guessing game. im sure there will be plenty of room in there though so i should be fine.

just got the frame ends boxed with the new mounting points and drilled the 2x4 to attach. now i've got to cut the bottom tabs that will reach back to the stock tow hook holes. that will give me 10 mounting points which should be plenty, but, since i plan on eventually having a winch i'll throw some welds on the sides that can be easily cut to remove the bumper.

back to the garage!

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

done for the night, knees are killing me from crawling around on the concrete. pretty slow going since for some reason i cant wrap my head around degreeing the notches and trying to account for rotation before setting up bends. only have about 2 feet of screw-up so far which is better than i hoped for.

 

[zgensler31]

Looking pretty awesome right now.

 

[Bandit Runner]

Looking good! As nice as your roof racks turn out, I'm sure this will be awesome too. Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Looking good! As nice as your roof racks turn out, I'm sure this will be awesome too. Can't wait to see it finished.

thank you and me either! i hope to get it done this weekend, but, it could be one of those projects that refuses to get done. still have to build in the winch plate and the top tubes.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

center top tube bent and tacked. did my best to have it follow the shape/size of the grill.

 

[TCMach]

You my friend, are a master of tubing. Can't wait to see how this turns out! Are you going to run some bars across the headlights or leave it as a center only?

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

yeah im working on the headlight bars now. i am amazed how dumb a piece of bent tube can make me feel lol, tricky sometimes.

 

[rickashay]

Wow Josh, looks killer already!

Are you planning on having any part of the bumper attach to the factory bumper mount "wings" for additional support?

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

if you mean the mounts sticking out from one of the body mounts then yes i plan to tie in there as well. i had to cut the forward most wing off to clear my lower tube but its in a great spot for a simple tab to connect.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

really starting to hate tube! managed to chop, grind and cuss my through the headlight hoops. i know not everyone likes headlight hoops but i have a set of rickashay's projectors coming and i gots to protect those beauties!

 

[blizz86]

really starting to hate tube! managed to chop, grind and cuss my through the headlight hoops. i know not everyone likes headlight hoops but i have a set of rickashay's projectors coming and i gots to protect those beauties!

I have noticed from other bumper makers that their hoops don't really go along with the lines of the headlights.. but your's flow very nicely. Are you planning on selling these as well !? :thumb3:

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I have noticed from other bumper makers that their hoops don't really go along with the lines of the headlights.. but your's flow very nicely. Are you planning on selling these as well !? :thumb3:

thank you, my goal was to have it follow as well as i can with the die i have. i doubt i'll sell one for quite a while, this one is kicking my butt pretty hard lol.

 

[Hepar]

Looking great! Can't wait to see the end results. I know you said you made it bolt-on so you could duplicate it, but are there full plans for having them for sale? If so, an idea on cost?