I think a bumper like This is perfect. That's how I'd build one!

 

Well, got the front tow plate cut off. And I also cut about 1" off the front of the frame.

I cleaned it all up, and welded on a 4 1/2' piece of channel on the inside of the frame. I will do the same for both sides, then weld a piece of 2x2x1/4" sqaure tubing to the plates.

After the tubing is welded in, then ill finish boxing off the frame.

Pictures tomorrow.


Forgot to add.

I was thinking of ways to make this bumper a bolt-on. Well, I have changed my mind. This bumper will be completely welded to the frame. So, the only way to get it off will be to cut it off.

My mind might change, and I might make some kind of brackets to bolt the bumper to......But we will see.

 

Didn't read any of this and don't plan to lol but my idea would be this:

Cut off the Cross-member, box the frame. Make a plate style bumper(nothing huge and heavy) with a receiver hitch welded into it. Also go ahead and throw some D-rings on there and make some secure mounts. Drill out your mounting plates and the newly boxed area of your frame. Bolt bumper up and call it a day. From there you could add a skid plate, lights, etc.

 

Mine bolts to the frame in two places on each frame rail. With the body lift, most of the bumper is above the frame so to conquer that, I welded some 1.5" - 0.12" wall square tubing at a 45 to the top of the frame and at the same angle as the outside plates and bolted it up... Maybe this is better explained in pictures. Let me go wash my truck and take some for you. The bottom of my bumper is attached via a frame that I built off of the receiver tube. Could easily be modified to fit what you already have welded on.