Playing around in my sketch book with ideas for my front/rear bumper and rock rails. I already got a front bumper, I want to add onto it, thinking about a stinger with bracing. The rear 1/4 steel 2x4 box or 1/4 flat with tubes coming from it and wrapping around the back. The rails I was think about coming from the frame, and 2 thick tubes hugging the sides, but along the bottom of the tub. I was just seeing what y'all have tested out and see what works and what doesn't. I don't hold back on the trails so I need something strong and reliable so I am open up to design ideas.

 

So I am guessing there are no fabricators among the ranks?

 

I'm definitely interested in seeing any ideas you have, as I'm planning on what to do with my front and rear bumpers, rock rails, and fenders. One thing I know I want to do is to get my approach and departure angles the best they can be, so minimal overhang is what I'm looking for.

I would also like to incorporate my fenders into my roll cage and frame. I first saw this done on a rig out at Moab last year. This Wrangler rolled, but because of the cage mounted fenders, there was literally no body damage except a broken winshield. They actually dragged the rig with the full weight on the fenders in order to get it away from a cliff before flopping it back over. Here are a couple of pics of that rig:

 

wow nice exoskeleton! held up well!

 

I love that idea, I am going to toy with some sketches and put them up and see what you guys think

 

Looking forward to seeing your ideas. Here is how my rig sits today. Stock/cut fenders up front and nothing in the back. Still have a lot of fab work to do!

 

Holy chit....that is some rig you have there!

 

OMG CALIJK your kind of serious about it aren't you. But to the OP maybe a hinged hood protector. Only ones I've seen look like crap. So a good sturdy one would be pretty sweet addition the the exo.

 

Nice!!!!!!

 

Glad someone else thinks the same. I've been frustrated with a couple of manufacturers solution of using nutserts and the general lack of secure mounting of steel front fenders, so have toyed with tying in full-width steel fenders to the rock rails, front bumper and two reinforcement bars over the top of engine bay and exiting either side of the hood where Rubicon sticker is, welded the fenders. I haven't pulled the trigger yet as weight is ever-increasing and I'm still on stock axles and stock 3.8L power. CALIJK's solution for that is 6.1L - very sweet !