So you want to build a bumper you say?

[SS]

Well I finally installed it. Started working on it last year and with many delays got it to the point I got to put it on the truck. Still a few additions that I need to do to finish it to make it right. I know it's not for everybody, but it works for me and I'm happy it's almost done.



For those considering buying or building: I recommend buying! Get a second job, work some overtime, or sneak pennies from the wife's purse - it's a real job to make. It weighs in at 270 pounds - 3/16" plate and 3" schedule 40 (0. 216" wall) steel pipe. I paid a shop to bend the plate and another to roll the top tube. The rest is butt weld elbows and a lot of hours work. Enjoy!



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[bmoeller]

That'll work good for hunting deer. :-laf



Looks great!

 

[Proram]

:--) :--) :--) :--) Now THATS a bumper, Nice Job!





Scott

 

[SS]

Thanks fellas - now here's to hoping my luck at deer hunting doesn't involve the truck!

 

[ndurbin]

I've seen some pretty stout brushguards, but that one defintely takes the cake.



Nathan

 

[pwknapp]

Better steal a few coins from the wife and throw some D25's under the front end. Sure is a nice stout one. Great job.

 

[McCRam]

Wow. Thats impressive, I don't suppose you have any plans drawn up?

 

[SS]

Stout was part of the design to be sure. I do have a few of the original templates I used, but it's not too bad to figure out. To make them in production you would definitely want a jig for the brushguard portion because it is difficult to measure to anything - I did it a lot by eye. I did make a model from a single sheet of paper, then a full scale model out of cardboard just to make sure before I cut steel. If you are serious about it I would be happy to give my suggestions and answer any questions.

 

[patcarman]

really nice job looks real good,im getting ready to order those same tires,uave u had good luck with them... .

 

[SS]

I have been happy with the Denman Coyotes - it's a great combo that nobody else makes. There was a picture of a dually with them in the TDR magazine a couple of years ago but I forgot who owned it. I did talk to one guy recently who replaced his Coyotes with the Buckshot Mudders in the same size. He thought that the Buckshots were equal or superior in every way - wet/dry traction, fuel economy, noise, etc. I may be trying them the next time. Try a search for more talk on the Coyotes.

 

[JBlock]

That look like right out of the ouback, MAD MAX would be proud of you.



JB

 

[cumminstogetya]

Nice bumper. You getting rid of your old Sport bumper?



John

 

[EEngel]

Custom Bumper

That looks really good. Are you going to do anything on the rear?



P. S. Maybe you need to sell that one off so you can make the 3/8" version for elk hunting.

 

[SS]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am keeping the damaged sport bumper around just in case I do decide to go to a 3/8" version. Though I'm not too sure I want to go elk hunting - I figure this version is deer-proof and moose-resistant - any bigger bumper and the rest of the truck becomes the weak link! Of course if I sold this one I'd have to charge as much as my house is worth because of the divorce that would come when I started another bumper (front anyway). I have been thinking about a design that would match for the rear bumper and maybe even nerf bars of some kind.





Mental note to self: re-read wise man's post about buying stuff instead of building it. :-laf

 

[Will24]

That looks awesome! Hell, if that were my bumper, I'd be out looking for deer to hit to try it out!



-Will

 

[rkressg]

Do you have any clearance issues with opening the hood and the grill hitting? How far (inches) did you have to space the grill guard from the actual grill? How much room did this leave when opening the Hood?



Also, could you post some pics of how you mounted the bumper to the truck? I am in the process of building a bumper, but I have not figured out how to mount it yet.



-Rich

 

[SS]

Rich,



This is how I attached it - hope you can see it in this shot. Basically it's two vertical 1/4" plates cut to fit in the frame similar to the stock bumper. It's kind of cantilevered out there and really needs another attachment to reinforce it. I eventually will add a horizontal winch plate which I plan to weld to the front of the bumper and to each vertical plate. I would also like to add some kind of outrigger mounts to the sides of the bumper but haven't figured that one out myself either. Like I said, it needs a bit of work to finish it and make it right...



The hood clears the lower corners of the grille by about an inch when opening (at least it did in the tack weld design phase). It's actually closer than that now, so again more tweaking to be done. It depends how much curvature the top bar has, how high it is, how far forward, and so forth as to how close it will be for yours. Good eye on seeing that one.



I'd like to see pics of your concept too.



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[Glen Pratt]

BEEFY!!! Reminds me of Mad Max/Road Warrior. Nice job.

 

[rbattelle]

Wow... I really like it. I wish I had the facilities, talent, and money to make something like that. I am very impressed.



-Ryan

 

[mjoppie]

well i see that theres a lot of "hunters" that dont want to get cold :-laf thats a brute, very cool looking, im working on one similar to it just different . what who bent the round tube for you? an exhaust shop?