Txwelder

Fabricated this bumper from 3/8" aluminum diamond plate. Hope everyone likes it. It isnt completely finished. I still have to bend the Grill pipe and weld them on and paint it gloss black. Other than that the hard part is done. I have a stock bumper off a 96 laying around if anyone has a suggestion as to what I should do with it. I cant post attachments so I will put the pictures in my gallery.

JKM

Racer9

I like it, looks good.

wannadiesel

If they don't like it, you can hit 'em with it.

Txwelder

Hey JKM thanks for posting those for me. I just got back from my night college classes and was very eager to see if they had been approved. I guess they have. Thanks again.

Silverjay

How much diamond plate did it take and what thickness did you use?

Txwelder

I used 3/8" diamond plate and it only took one sheet of diamond plate. I actually cut up two because I had no plans and it was cut and modified as I went. If you had the actual plans for this bumper it would only take one 4'x8' sheet to complete. Only took me about 12 total hours over a weeks time. The mounting brackets are made of 1/2" aluminum so that would have to be aquired someplace. The stock side brackets for the original bumper will have to be bolted to the sides because they are steel and you cant weld steel to aluminum plus it would make removal and installation hard if they were fixed. They just have to be bent slightly to fit. I dont know if you can see the joggle in the side pieces that parallel the truck but I had to bend them so that the end pieces would be even with the fenders. My angles on the front piece were a little too narrow. The bumper is welded on both sides of all joints. I used MIG inside for ease and speed and TIG outside for cosmetics. Having another set of hands for this project was a necesity. I owe that guy lunch.

Underpsi

Great job! I think you should think about either just polishing it. Its sad to see the aluminum painted when it would polish up nicely JMO. Also If you didn't want to polish it I think it would also look good if you painted it the gloss blue to match the bottom and follow the paint scheme. once again great job!

Txwelder

Thanks for the compliment. I thought it was going to look hokie as I was making it but it turned out way better than I thought. I am going to have the truck re-painted a different color and I really like the gloss black look so Im sure that is what I will go with. Now I just have to make a rear bumper that matches the style but isnt too gawdy. Once again, thanks.

Ph4tty

To ramming speed! *cough* I mean looks like it'd take a hit

STACKED

looks good, need to sell em' you could make a killing. i would by one.

hotmopr

what does it weigh?

BigBlue

Might I suggest powdercoating instead of painting.

Txwelder

I dont know what it weighs but I installed it by myself. Just picked it up with two hands and slid the mounting brackets into the frame. Cant be more than 75 lbs. I would powder coat but I work in a sheetmetal/welding/paint shop so the painting will be more economical for me to do. Im all about the inexpensive way to do things. I would love to build bumpers and sell them but I cant do much at work since it is work afterall. If I had the equipment at home I would build and sell in a heartbeat.

smoke_pedal

I see you finally built that bumper you were asking me about Tex.