Front Bumper build, Rock lights, Winch Mount & Pics

[Metal Twister]

Some of you might remember when I started this thing. I had a long thread on it with all the build pics. Then I got this great idea to make albums on photobucket. Lost all the pics and learned a big lesson that day.

Anyway heres a very quick up date on the bumper build.

I wanted to get away from the prerunner tube bumper so I started with rectangular 1/4" thick tubing.

[Metal Twister]

the bottom was notched on the underside to house a couple rock lights.

[Metal Twister]

The front mounts were added with grade 8's bolt heads
welded in place.


I mounted a few oval running lights in the front of the bumper.


Threw it on for a test fit, trimming length for the end caps and fabbed up the side mounts.

I had it powder coated silver vane. Which is black under and silver splatters on it.

[Metal Twister]

added my rock lights underneath the bumper and some H2 headlights to the mix. Next is the body work to make the ends match the width of the rig. The control box for the winch will go behind the head lights. I attached the recepticle to bumper for the pig tail remote control so it will look just like this when its all hooked up.

[Sambo]

wow that is some dayum good work i like the addition of the rock lights

[Dirtball]

Man that IS nice... wow... most talented!

[Metal Twister]

Thanks guys for the props... It took a little longer to finish than I was planning on, but it did get done so its all good. Any ideas for the rear Bumper? Any one need a very straight 74 front stock bumper?

[Stuka]

Very nice job. I like the mounts too, ties everything together nicely.

[J10Mike]

Very nice. One of the best FSJ bumper builds I have seen to date...Bravo.

[Artisan]

Very Nice....

At the mid-span joint, indicated w/ the yellow arrow, to start did you sever the tube in half, making a cut in degrees that would be 50% of
the angle of the valance as I indicated w/ a black line on the pink field then weld it back together?

Great job...

[Metal Twister]

Originally Posted by Artisan

Very Nice....

At the mid-span joint, indicated w/ the yellow arrow, to start did you sever the tube in half, making a cut in degrees that would be 50% of
the angle of the valance as I indicated w/ a black line on the pink field then weld it back together?

Great job...

That is what I did almost... I cut it all the way in half then did the mitre cuts and re attached it. I think it was a 12 degree mitre cut, but I could of gone a few degrees more. I was trying to follow the lines of the front vallance.
Maybe this is a better shot of that.

[Randyzzz]

That is an awesome bumper! Great fab work!

[68_Gladiator]

haha the paint job is that of many of those bowlflex knock off home gym things, looks identical

[Metal Twister]

I first saw this Power coating on a couple of the Poison Spider Rigs. Ian Johnson has used it on a few of his builds where he has powder coated our clamps to match. In fact the same stuff is used in elevators, and the marques in the drive throughs at Jack in the box. Those Bowflex knock off guys know a quality look when they see one. I get so tired of the same ole stuff... BLACK

[trail mule]

That is one of the best looking wagoneer bumpers I have ever seen!!!

[Chief Gunner]

I gotta say, that looks nice. I remember seeing it mid construction and I knew you were on to something hot. Minus wench and lights, what is the ballpark cost to build a bumper like that? Curious minds wanna know. Great job, makes me proud to know you. Thoughs of you living in the SOCAL area should stop by and see MT's shop. He has some very cool projects lined up. I always enjoy seeing what he is up too.

[TINMAN93]

Very nice.

Well designed, fabbed, finished and thought out.

And the lights are very cool!

Tinman

[billyrb]

that's a really nice bumper. Although I like them a bit taller, I think that is one heck of a nice design and a well executed build

[Metal Twister]

Wow, thanks guys... I was expecting to be taken to the wood shed because it was different.

Chief, to be honest it took alot longer to build than even I thought it would. Even though the first one or the proto type always takes longer to build. By the time all the slice and dice work was done, all the welding, all the grinding, cleaning, filling of pin holes, re welding and grinding. I had well over 3 days into it. Mind you, I never could just work on it straight for 3 days. My shop rate is $60.00 per hour x 3 days $1440.00. Before Powder coat and installation. I did do some mods to the front body to make it set up tight but was done quickly with the plasma cutter. Im sure if I was mass producing them I could get the cost down a bit. Guessing around $1100.00 or so. But as you know everything we build except our Suspension Seats, Hot Rod seats and Baja Clamps are one off customs. Time is Money... It has given me a new appreciation for the cost of the ARB bumpers.

[billyrb]

That is exactly why most folks don't understand bumper pricing. Unless you are dealing with a TJ / wrangler style that has several hundred thousand produced on a stamping machine, it's darn hard to get a good bumper for a low price. Custom bumpers take time & materials, both of which cost money. The better the builder, the more it costs.