Notices
Modified JK Tech Tech related bulletin board forum regarding subjects such as suspension, tires & wheels, steering, bumpers, skid plates, drive train, cages, on-board air and other useful modifications that will help improve the performance and protection of your Jeep JK Wrangler (Rubicon, Sahara, Unlimited and X) on the trail.

PLEASE DO NOT START SHOW & TELL TYPE THREADS IN THIS FORUM
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Building a bumper, looking for opinions.

Thread Tools
 
Old 07-28-2014, 02:52 PM
  #1  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
AaronJK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pottstown, pa
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Building a bumper, looking for opinions.

Hey guys, I'm starting my first real fab project here and I'm looking for a little feedback. This is what I have so far on my rear bumper build.

This is what I originally planned.
Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406587786780.jpg
Views:	451
Size:	80.2 KB
ID:	568044Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406587807732.jpg
Views:	397
Size:	95.9 KB
ID:	568045Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406587825343.jpg
Views:	372
Size:	87.3 KB
ID:	568046

Then I came up with this as well

Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406587852293.jpg
Views:	353
Size:	79.8 KB
ID:	568047Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406587864541.jpg
Views:	339
Size:	86.2 KB
ID:	568049

What looks better? I like the first one, but the second option is easier.
Old 07-28-2014, 02:53 PM
  #2  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
AaronJK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pottstown, pa
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

And I won't be using PVC pipe for the actual tube lol.

Last edited by AaronJK; 07-28-2014 at 03:00 PM.
Old 07-28-2014, 07:14 PM
  #3  
JK Enthusiast
 
Tree Frog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Roseburg, Oregon
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Nothing wrong with PVC for a template at all.
I used to do a LOT of fab work and still do it just for fun now. I have built several of the plate steel type of bumpers and my favorite medium is good old cardboard for the templates.
I know but hey its cheap, plentiful and it works great.

Good luck on your project and please post p pics when done.
Old 07-29-2014, 07:21 PM
  #4  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
AaronJK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pottstown, pa
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Tree Frog
Nothing wrong with PVC for a template at all.
I used to do a LOT of fab work and still do it just for fun now. I have built several of the plate steel type of bumpers and my favorite medium is good old cardboard for the templates.
I know but hey its cheap, plentiful and it works great.

Good luck on your project and please post p pics when done.
Thanks, and cardboard is definitely a go to. I got to the point today where I can work on mounting it. Going to need to cut alot of plate to make all the pieces. Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406690256542.jpg
Views:	221
Size:	99.8 KB
ID:	568258Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406690273973.jpg
Views:	213
Size:	90.9 KB
ID:	568260Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406690284923.jpg
Views:	213
Size:	99.4 KB
ID:	568261

I'm getting better with the welder and after fixing a minor snafu (had to add 7/8" of pipe to the lower tube) I found out that my welds are penetrating very well.
Old 07-30-2014, 03:34 AM
  #5  
JK Freak
 
Gforce!'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Independence and Lexington, KY (depends on the time of year)
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by AaronJK
Thanks, and cardboard is definitely a go to. I got to the point today where I can work on mounting it. Going to need to cut alot of plate to make all the pieces. <img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=568258"/><img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=568260"/><img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=568261"/> I'm getting better with the welder and after fixing a minor snafu (had to add 7/8" of pipe to the lower tube) I found out that my welds are penetrating very well.
Man, that looks really good! I'm looking to build my own bumpers soon, and you've given me some good ideas looks pretty stout, too!
Old 07-30-2014, 03:47 AM
  #6  
JK Enthusiast
 
any4xx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Salinas, CA
Posts: 246
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Default

I'm new to the Jeep world so forgive me if this is so obvious that it doesn't merit mention. But will the bumper hold air? A friend of mine built a tube bumper for his truck about 30 years ago and he put a quick-connect and an air valve on it. He used to fill it to about 130psi so he always had extra air for an occasional flat or whatever else. Tom.
Old 07-30-2014, 03:52 AM
  #7  
JK Freak
 
Mountain Man Tim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lake Metigoshe, North Dakota
Posts: 863
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by any4xx
I'm new to the Jeep world so forgive me if this is so obvious that it doesn't merit mention. But will the bumper hold air? A friend of mine built a tube bumper for his truck about 30 years ago and he put a quick-connect and an air valve on it. He used to fill it to about 130psi so he always had extra air for an occasional flat or whatever else. Tom.
you could do this, of you could just carry a portable air compressor, that way you can air up more then 1 tire, i do see expedition types putting spare water in their bumpers though. or you can just have a bumper be a bumper
Old 07-30-2014, 04:14 AM
  #8  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
AaronJK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pottstown, pa
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by any4xx
I'm new to the Jeep world so forgive me if this is so obvious that it doesn't merit mention. But will the bumper hold air? A friend of mine built a tube bumper for his truck about 30 years ago and he put a quick-connect and an air valve on it. He used to fill it to about 130psi so he always had extra air for an occasional flat or whatever else. Tom.
I suppose you could. The tubing is definitely rated high enough, but I have a 5gl tank where the stock muffler was and a York compressor so I have plenty of air. People use the Rubicon rails as air tanks after welding up the seams.
Old 07-30-2014, 04:17 AM
  #9  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
AaronJK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pottstown, pa
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Gforce!
Man, that looks really good! I'm looking to build my own bumpers soon, and you've given me some good ideas looks pretty stout, too!
Thanks! Like all my other mods I it's been a learning experience.
Old 08-01-2014, 06:13 AM
  #10  
JK Freak
Thread Starter
 
AaronJK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Pottstown, pa
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Click image for larger version

Name:	uploadfromtaptalk1406902364240.jpg
Views:	155
Size:	45.0 KB
ID:	568716
Well, I got this measured and cut out yesterday. Hopefully I can finish this by topless for tata's.


Quick Reply: Building a bumper, looking for opinions.



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:25 PM.