Heavy Duty front bumper (ranch-hand)

[JGrefenstette]

i was wondering what kinda of front bumper replacements were avalible for the 1st gens. i have done a good bit of looking, but havent found anything that like what im lookin for. one of my favorite is the ranch hand, i think the summit series is the one i like best. but they all only go back to the 2nd gen. if any of yall know where i could find a true heavy duty cattle pusher front bumper, id appreciate it. if all else fails, i could pretty easily build one myself, but i like the profesional look, and it would save me some time. im sure if i wanted to put the time into it, i could build one that looked exactly the same as the ranch hand, if i got the right matterials, but would take me a while, since i dont do it for a living so, id much rather see what there is for sale. thanks a lot, i appreciate any help

pictures would be awesome too if yall have any (even ones of homeade bumpers would be great cause that will give me ideas on what to design if i cant find any for sale)

thanks again

jimmy

 

[BWJensen]

Here's a picture of the one I built for my CTD conversion -



MADDOG

 

[cguthrie]

Buckstop, i think they look awesome



http://www.buckstop. biz/dodge93.html

 

[JGrefenstette]

the buck stop aint a bad looking bumper, but im looking to more of a texas style cattle pusher if you know what i mean. Jensen, i like what you did with that bumper, its a real nice looking bumper. do you have any pictures of it on the front of the truck with the grill/body behind it, so i can picture what it will look like. Good work. did you bend the pipe yourself or order it? If you did it yourself, how in the world did you get it so perfect with out even a kink.

also, the slight tilt you have it at midway up... . did you cut it off completly then reweld it at an angle, or just take a wedge from the back and heat/bend it? wow, i really like this bumper. i would add some personal touches if i made one for myself... . but man, that is a slick lookin bumper.

thanks for putting the pictures up and givin me some help.

 

[JGrefenstette]

man thats just beautiful. . id love to pick your brain on how you got all the angles and bends so perfect. did you stick or mig it. cant tell from the distance of the picture.

 

[Rhinohd]

Man that thing would of looked awesome on my 81 Ramcharger!

 

[WVanHemert]

Those bends look like they might be pre-made bends, 90's and just welded in place, either way nice job, a lot of meticulous time went into that project.

 

[JGrefenstette]

Jensen,

any more pics?

 

[BWJensen]

Here ya go.



MADDOG

 

[JGrefenstette]

jensen,

thanks a lot! these pics are great. did you custom build this from scratch? where did you get your materials from, and how much of it did you order prefabed. (also, who's 12v is that in the background of the 3rd picture? know of any intrest to sell it?) thanks again, anymore info about the building of your bumper would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

jimmy

 

[SuperSteeler]

That's not a bumper, that's a work of art. And I imagine extremely functional. Nice job.

 

[BWJensen]

Project-- ADVNTR

Thanks for the props guys!

The bumper design/concept is my idea, inspiration came from a company called Road Armor. Unfortunately, they don't build anything for pre'94 pickups.

I had it built by Cody Kellum - Custom Iron Works 605-210-0535.

The '92 sitting next to ADVNTR is the donor vehicle, oh yeah I'm going CTD conversion.

The build thread is at- http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=448507



MADDOG

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

About how much does that thing weigh? Looks good.

 

[BWJensen]

About how much does that thing weigh? Looks good.

220 lb. without the winch, add 100 pounds with the winch. No worries, I upgraded the frame,springs, bushings, and shocks to handle the extra weight.



MADDOG

 

[JGrefenstette]

thanks for the info jensen..... do you mind sharing the price? (you can pm me if youd rather) also, where are you located, and where is the company that made it for you? thanks again.

 

[btoscano]

What did you do to upgrade the spring, bushings, and frame? My bumper and winch weigh about 450 lbs and I thinking of installing new leafs.



Brian

 

[BWJensen]

What did you do to upgrade the spring, bushings, and frame? My bumper and winch weigh about 450 lbs and I thinking of installing new leafs.



Brian

The springs are 3" longer than factory, spring rate is at 360 lbs. , if I remember right. Bushings where upgraded from 1" to 1 1/2" greasable (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106016), front spring shackle was fabbed to be 1 1/2" longer and made of 3/8". The frame is completly boxed now, it's not in the current pictures. And the front spring mount was fabbed as a structural crossmember (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187592&page=2) posts 12-45



MADDOG.

 

[Moab4x4]

OK, I have to ask, did I see threaded pipe plugs in the back of the bumper?? That wouldn't be your air tank for the ARB / other accessories would it?:--)

I have NEVER thought of that or seen it done, but that would be too cool.

I was about to fab a Buckstopper type, but you may have me sold on your design.

You know what they say, imitation is the most sincere compliment.

Ken

 

[BWJensen]

OK, I have to ask, did I see threaded pipe plugs in the back of the bumper?? That wouldn't be your air tank for the ARB / other accessories would it?:--)

I have NEVER thought of that or seen it done, but that would be too cool.

I was about to fab a Buckstopper type, but you may have me sold on your design.

You know what they say, imitation is the most sincere compliment.

Ken

BINGO!



MADDOG

 

[ARhine]

I have always wanted to do something similar with the front hangars on my truck. The stock ones are a joke. The rivets went bad so I bolted them on, but still.

That cross member gives you allot more strength and a good place to tie the bumper to for more strength as well.