Fabrication & Tool Tech Need assistance with or got ideas for custom metal fabrication? Want to show off your fabrication abilities or custom modifications? This is the sub-forum for you.

Building a front bumper

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 12-17-2009
Seb_L's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Building a front bumper

I want to get myself a front bumper made but around here they charge 1000+ for one. So I figured I would get the materials myself, make a template, cut them, prep them and get someone to weld it all together.

My question is what kind of metal, what thickness, etc. Do I use the same material for the mounting point. What can I use to cut it that I would have at home. I'll be making a design in paint to give you an idea of the look im going for.

Thanks everyone
 
  #2  
Old 12-17-2009
swickwake's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: porterville, ca
are you wanting a plate or tube bumper
 
  #3  
Old 12-17-2009
Dangerranger01's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,011
Likes: 2
From: Boring/Corvallis, Oregon
Originally Posted by Seb_L

My question is what kind of metal
i would use Steel. It is pretty common and pretty cheap and easily weldable.

Originally Posted by Seb_L

what thickness
I would probably use 1/8-3/16 in. Wait, you're in Canada. i would use like 3-5mm thick material. lol

Originally Posted by Seb_L
What can I use to cut it that I would have at home.
Do you have an angle grinder with a cut off wheel. or better yet, a chop saw? I don't know what you have at home to idk. You can always use a hack saw.


What you really need to ask yourself is if this bumper is going to be taking a beating....Meaning are you planning on jumping the truck and letting it land on the bumper? If so, then it'll need to be built to handle such a thing. Or is this bumper for looks? Holding some lights? Looking good? If so, then strength isn't as important. Get my drift?
 
  #4  
Old 12-17-2009
Seb_L's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Ontario
The bumper would look like this but no plate, and a winch in the middle.

Name:  FrontBumper.jpg
Views: 712
Size:  54.8 KB

I have a grinder with a grinding wheel haha but I could prob get a cut off wheel at the local hardware store. It'll be used primarily to hold the winch, looks, tow points and strength. Not jumping the truck but if I hit a car/tree/rock I'll be safe. The bumper itself wont be taking a beating but I'd like it to perform well in a bad situation
 
  #5  
Old 12-17-2009
Downey's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,470
Likes: 6
From: Muncy, PA
3/16 plate get it made then make mine plz
 
  #6  
Old 12-17-2009
93rangerXLT4x4's Avatar
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 2
From: Salmon Arm BC
ya 1/8 or 3/16inch steel. get the material cut your pieces out with an angle grinder with cut off wheel, and smooth out the edges and all that goodness, then take it somewhere and get them to weld it up for ya, then bring it home and grind down the welds and paint..

the only expense you would have this way is getting someone to weld it up for ya.. unless a buddy will do it for free or a case of brewski's or something and paint.

i think it would look good on your truck by the way!!
 
  #7  
Old 12-17-2009
08XLT4x4's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,257
Likes: 2
From: bomba shack
it seems to me that I have seen people make a template of the bumper out of wood or cardboard... that way you would actually be able to see how it really looks on the truck.
 
  #8  
Old 12-17-2009
93rangerXLT4x4's Avatar
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 2
From: Salmon Arm BC
Originally Posted by 08XLT4x4
it seems to me that I have seen people make a template of the bumper out of wood or cardboard... that way you would actually be able to see how it really looks on the truck.
ya cardboard would work.. then you could tape the pieces together and its cheaper!!
 
  #9  
Old 12-17-2009
08XLT4x4's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (7)
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,257
Likes: 2
From: bomba shack
Originally Posted by 93rangerXLT4x4
ya cardboard would work.. then you could tape the pieces together and its cheaper!!
huh?
 
  #10  
Old 12-17-2009
rangergirl01's Avatar
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Originally Posted by 93rangerXLT4x4
ya cardboard would work.. then you could tape the pieces together and its cheaper!!

FTW hahahahah
 
  #11  
Old 12-17-2009
Lone_Ranger's Avatar
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Fernridge, BC
Originally Posted by 93rangerXLT4x4
ya cardboard would work.. then you could tape the pieces together and its cheaper!!
Mall crawlin' on a budget
 
  #12  
Old 12-17-2009
1XLT4Me's Avatar
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
all 3/16 would make that truck way too nose heavy, stick with 1/8 for your outer structure and 3/16 for your mounting plates.
 
  #13  
Old 12-17-2009
Seb_L's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Would a tube bumper be alot lighter?
 
  #14  
Old 12-17-2009
INT3RC3PTOR's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,201
Likes: 2
From: Minnesooooota
Depends on the amount of tube used. usually yes if they are simple.
 
  #15  
Old 12-17-2009
camodown's Avatar
Lost in Nowhere
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,022
Likes: 0
From: Midland, TX
Originally Posted by 93rangerXLT4x4
ya cardboard would work.. then you could tape the pieces together and its cheaper!!
then rhinoline it and your done
 
  #16  
Old 12-17-2009
93rangerXLT4x4's Avatar
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 959
Likes: 2
From: Salmon Arm BC
Originally Posted by 08XLT4x4
huh?
not to build the bumpers you morons.. duh lol.. i meant to make a template of the ****ing thing.. geez.. use your brains..

cut the pieces out of cardboard, then trace them on some plate steel, then clean up the edges and weld it together!!!
 
  #17  
Old 12-18-2009
rangergirl01's Avatar
Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
i like the way this thread is going! hahah im interested in this build might be doing mine pretty soon. i gave ironbull bumpers a call today and they said they would give me the bumper for 1000 bucks if i pick it up from them. am really thinking about it too.
 
  #18  
Old 12-18-2009
Downey's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,470
Likes: 6
From: Muncy, PA
Originally Posted by 93rangerXLT4x4
ya cardboard would work.. then you could tape the pieces together and its cheaper!!
Originally Posted by 08XLT4x4
huh?
Originally Posted by rangergirl01
FTW hahahahah
Originally Posted by Lone_Ranger
Mall crawlin' on a budget
Originally Posted by camodown
then rhinoline it and your done
ROTFLMAO you guys kill me lol that made my morning
 
  #19  
Old 12-18-2009
Toreador4x4's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (6)
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 3
From: Livonia, MI
Originally Posted by Downey
ROTFLMAO you guys kill me lol that made my morning
all i can sat is POWED
 
  #20  
Old 01-27-2010
Scrambler82's Avatar
Old Guy User…
iTrader: (12)
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,909
Likes: 77
From: SoCal
Steppie Rear HD Bumper Ideas !

Who has one, a bumper or an idea; any pics.

I have been running w/o a bumper for a while now, looking on line, can’t get in the garage to even put down a bead so i am now looking for ideas.

thanks
 
  #21  
Old 01-27-2010
wellcom2knoxvile's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Corvallis, OR/Seattle, WA
search craigslist for "tube bumper" or "steel bumper".
 
  #22  
Old 01-27-2010
wellcom2knoxvile's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
From: Corvallis, OR/Seattle, WA
P.S. im getting rid of my old tube bumper with a stinger and winch mount area if anyone is interested, PM me!
 
  #23  
Old 01-27-2010
Seb_L's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Where you located?
 
  #24  
Old 01-27-2010
Downey's Avatar
RF Veteran
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,470
Likes: 6
From: Muncy, PA
^^ he is in Washington IIRC
 
  #25  
Old 02-02-2010
99rangerunner's Avatar
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: mt.prospect il
the bumper in the pic at the begining who makes that? and where can i find one for my ranger?
 


Quick Reply: Building a front bumper



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:27 PM.