So, I have decided to build myself a front bumper. My plan has been to take designs from other companies and form my own custom bumper.

Well now you may ask, do I have any experience doing any fab/welding........WELLL NO....not much. I just started welding about a month and a half ago at my new job, and I feel I am fairly capable to complete this task. Im lucky enough that I am working for my brother in law so I can use all of his equipment.

So my buddy and I started doing a mock up today with some sheet metal. I like the way Poison Spyder has their Brawler Lite where it mounts on the factory mounting points, so started on the idea of building it that way. I took the piece that sits behind the stock bumper, that acts as a gap guard and drew my lines off that. Here is what our progress was today. Approx: 2.5 hours




Now heres my question, after looking at it, is their really a need to have a lot of clearance like Poison Spyders BFH bumpers that remove the front mounting points and just run bolts through the top? I know it would definitely be easier to build. I just thought about this, I could cut the stock mounting bracket in half vertically on the outsides, therefore giving me inside mounting points, along with outside bolts, making the bumper skinnier.....

Any suggestions are welcome. I plan on building this with 3/16 steel and use a CNC machine to cut my pieces. I will also use gussets on the inside and also be adding a stinger.

 

I just finished my rear bumper. I keep toying around with the idea of building my front when the weather gets cooler. I like the style of the Smitty XRC. I also want a winch set down inside the bumper. I'll be following your build for info.

FYI I got my shackle mounts on eBay for $20. Didnt know if you were planning on adding them or not. Seller doesn't keep them posted. I can look him up tomorrow if your interested.

 

So here is our process from last night. We are incorporating a skid plate and making it one full bumper, unlike PSC where it bolts on.



We did not get a chance to work this evening so our mock up design should be done tomorrow or Friday night.

 

I have tooled with the idea of dropping a winch inside, I do not think it would be to difficult, just make a bracket to fit between and low enough between the frame rails. Also yes I do plan on adding shackles and a stinger, where did you get your tabs?

 

Ebay seller is "gpfabrication". He currently doesnt have any listed but send him a message and he will post some up. Thats what he did for me.

 

Here mine 3/16 steel made them bend at a shop