Custom bumpers

[Don]

Here is a photo of what will soon be my rear bumper. There is a matching front bumper being made as well. Click here for more PHOTO's (http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/showgallery.php?cat=15380) .

http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15380/Dsc03670-E.jpg

[gmbtj]

This bumper looks like it saves alot of weight, and even pretty aerodymanic, but it doesnt look like it will hold abunch of abuse off road, seeing that it looks so light duty and all.
http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15380/Dsc03666-E.jpg

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/36_12_6[1].gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/36_12_6[1].gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/36_12_6[1].gif

[scrambled]

So are you doing this or is it a shop either way it look slike really clean and strong work. I see you are putting a hitch on there. DO you tow alot???

[Don]

Yeah, Patrick, the guy that sold me this light duty bumper said that my MPG would improve .0000005% /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
So are you doing this or is it a shop either way it look slike really clean and strong work. I see you are putting a hitch on there. DO you tow alot???

[/ QUOTE ]

My Daughter's BF is in welding school to become a Certified welder. Like a fool, Daughter's BF came to me and asked if I had any ideas on what he could build as a "Class project" which will be a major part of his welding ed-mud-cation /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I will probably never tow anything other than my empty 16 foot flatbed. It cost me $5.00 extra (for a junk hitch to steal the receiver from) to add the receiver. I think it will be nice to have a second vehilce to transport my trailer around town as I usually keep trailer at my Mother's house and my Wife usually drives the tow vehicle as her DD.

[scrambled]

Cool well tell him that if he needs anything else to do for a class project I have plenty of stuff. He is gonna be bringing in the bucks a welder.

[NiteDog]

Gee Don, I wish my daughter would have married a welder. I would have plenty of projects for him. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/36_12_6[1].gif

Nice setup. Looks stronger than my Warn. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/woot.gif

mike

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Cool well tell him that if he needs anything else to do for a class project I have plenty of stuff. He is gonna be bringing in the bucks a welder.

[/ QUOTE ]

He is wanting to do the Welder / Fabricator thing. The welding part isn't easy, but it appears to be easier than the fabricator part. Time, practice, making mistakes, then fixing them will take care of this issue. When he gets done with these bumpers, he is going to work on requirements for the Certification test so he can get a J_O_B as a welder. I have already talked to a guy about having a 220 line installed in my garage as I see a welding machine in my future /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Paul E]

You buy the equipment. He provides the expertise. Sounds like a deal!

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Gee Don, I wish my daughter would have married a welder. I would have plenty of projects for him.

Nice setup. Looks stronger than my Warn. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/woot.gif

mike

[/ QUOTE ]

I hear Ya... I figure that I can keep him and a welding machine busy for a while /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I told my Daughter that she has to date him until my bumpers get done,,, then she can dump him, if she wants to /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

These bumpers are made from 5"x2"x 3/16" stock... the spare tire swing arm is 2"x2" stock.. the pull tabs are 3/4 inch thing and go completely thru bumper and are welded front and rear. The pull tabs in front bumper are only 1/2" thick. However the metal had been tempered/hardened and was almost impossible to drill thru. Frame ties ins will be added to rear bumper (front bumper bolts to frame so no need for tieins). The 2" receiver goes all the way thru the bumper and is welded front and rear. These bumpers are TONKA Built. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

[mudholebound]

[ QUOTE ]
I hear Ya... I figure that I can keep him and a welding machine busy for a while I told my Daughter that she has to date him until my bumpers get done,,, then she can dump him, if she wants to


[/ QUOTE ] **** i think my wifes family thought i worked on cars for 2 years straight there /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smashfreakB.gif

[Don]

Well guys / gals, what do you think? This is still a "work in progress". However after lots of grinding, sanding, primer, and some paint, I think this is going to be one tough looking bumper.

http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15380/Dsc03701-E.jpg

[mudholebound]

**** yeah lookin good /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

[mullins87]

Hey Don, is that an '82 Yamaha Maxim sitting in the background???? Looks like a 750.

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey Don, is that an '82 Yamaha Maxim sitting in the background???? Looks like a 750.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have no idea what kind of bike that is, Jim. That bike belongs to a student at the welding school.

[mullins87]

Oh, BTW: Darn good looking bumper! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

Even with lots of practice, I can only dream of being able to fabricate that nicely.

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, BTW: Darn good looking bumper! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tu.gif

Even with lots of practice, I can only dream of being able to fabricate that nicely.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks,,, this one is still a work in progress, but it is starting to look real good. Here is what it looks like in red primer.

http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15380/Dsc03703-E.jpg

[Landon]

It's coming Don...can't wait to see the finished product /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Don]

Well...... my rear bumper is on my Jeep. I am at work and didn't have an opportunity to snap some photos because of rain, but I'll post some as soon as I can. Rear bumper as well as the front bumper are still works in progress.. but they are on the Jeep There are a few things like the latch that has to be added... Granger told me 4 -6 weeks ago that they keep these latches in stock (I gave them Brand & part #). Today, I go to get latch and they tell me they me that they don't sell this brand, but they _THINK_ they have same item. Well guess what, it wasn't the same, and it won't work. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/furious.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/furious.gif If they had told me this a month ago, I would have had lots of time to pick latch up at my convenience......
Anyway, I will add the Jeeperman frame tie ins, or I might have them made for me... or I might purchase a welder and make them myself /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/screwy.gif

[BillM]

Good deal Don. Order that dang latch off the net man and get it in about 3 days.

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
Good deal Don. Order that dang latch off the net man and get it in about 3 days.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would have done that 3 weeks ago, if Granger had been honest with me.

It isn't a great photo, but here is what the rear bumper looks like. It was dark and rainy,,,, tomorrow, I'll get a better photo.

http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/data/15380/Dsc03761-E.jpg

[BillM]

told you it would look good. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
But then I already knew that didn't I?

[Landon]

I don't know what it is Don, but that spare tire looks ginormous! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Don]

[ QUOTE ]
told you it would look good. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
But then I already knew that didn't I?

[/ QUOTE ]

I bet you did have a pretty good idea what my bumper would look like /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'll have to find a helper to assist me in removing this bumper so I can prime and paint the rear side.

If it wasn't raining tonight, I would have hooked my 16 foot flatbed trailer up to the TJ as I think it will look very odd. I figure I should be able to use the TJ to pull the empty, or nearly empty trailer.

[Fred]

I was thinking the same thing!

[Keithd2606]

what do you guys think about filling bumpers up with concrete to add weight for wheeling? i figured i can add about 80-100lbs in my front bumper and about 50lbs in my rear. I was just wondering about what it will do to the mpg?

Keith Jackson

[Fred]

Most guys want LIGHTER rigs, not heavier! It would sloughter your MPG and probably sag your lift faster. Something I htought about once was filling tires with "tire slime" like whats run in ATV's. It would help if tire gets a puncture and adds weight to tires and helps with traction as well as center of gravity, BUT I would think the tire would not be able to be balanced AND on road drivability would be shot!

[Don]

Keith: As time goes on, you will add weight to your Jeep, winch, bigger tires, more skids, hauling more gear, etc., etc.,. I agree with Fred, I am not so sure that all this additional weight is a good thing. This is just my $0.02 worth... your MPG may vary : /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif

[BillM]

Just by putting a winch on the front will add around 80lbs. If you go with heavy duty aftermarket bumpers then that will add weight also. I know my rear bumper with a tire carrier alone weighs about 3 times what the stock bumper weighed.

[Paul E]

Well, a stock bumper weighs about, ohhh.... 5 pounds. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

So you have a 15 pound bumper on the back! j/k

I'm SO happy to be rid of those stock bumpers!

[BillM]

I thought the stockers weighed a lil more than that but now that you mention it. I would say my rear with the tire carrier would weigh in at about 75 lbs at least.

[Don]

Bill, I think my front bumper weighs in at around 70lbs. With tire carrier and NO spare tire, I would guess that my rear bumper is at the 100 lbs mark, or a little higher. One man can lift the front bumper. However, the rear with the swing arm removed is a two man job.

[Don]

My welder had to do a little more work to the rear tire swing, plus some more grinding to the front bumper, so I am just now adding a little paint to my bumpers. Rear bumper needs more paint, it needs to be removed so I can paint rear side, and I need to track down the proper clamp, but other than issues, bumpers look good.

http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/gallery/files/3/3/7/Dsc04142-E_thumb.jpg

http://www.itsajeep.org/vBulletin/gallery/files/3/3/7/Dsc04143-E_thumb.jpg