Does anyone out there have blue prints for a custom front bumper? I would like to build one for the front of my 08.

 

I'd like to second this one guys. Buddy just picked up a sweet bender and I just picked up o a Miller dynasty dx ...... I'm thinkin something in brushed stainless tube....skid plate... Prerunner style. Light bar highlift jacking points provisions for winch or at least an insert for a removable. I'd like it strong enough to shove a deer underneath at about 50 mph with no damage to the heat exchanges up front but not so strong that it will cause frame damage. I would be willing to post a step by step with pics mabey we find someone who wants to build one out of plate and have a little build off. I know every Joe welder with any fab skills at all kicks around the idea of building their own custom bumpers to save a few bucks or even just for bragging rights.... Sorry for the highjack but mabey this will stir a little more interest . What style/material were you leaning towards. Thanx in advance for any thoughts and/or advice.

 

Can you say, "Abrams?"

 

I like this.... I love seeing what people can come up with. I like the idea of a "build-off". For anyone who's interested, I'll be glad to give advice for how to build one with a sheet of steel, a plasma cutter, and a welder. Patterns or blueprints are kind of useless without a jig, but mocking one up from scratch really isnt that bad. But seriously, I would like to see several people come up with custom ideas of different styles and post them for a little competition. I'll enter with my 06, and I'll do it low-budget and with no special tools, like I did when I built my first bumper. Maybe we could see some one-of-a-kind pre-runner tube bumpers, plate steel bumpers, and ranch style bumpers.... Step-by-step pics and description of materials would be good for everyone too. What do ya'll think?

 

I am leaning towards something heavy enough to move a deer. I also need to be able to mount a winch. They want way too much money for an aftermarket bumper. If you come across any prints let me know.

 

Alright weve got some interest. I'm a bit busy installing a stereo and lift this week. Some people probably have more time than others so I was thinking a completion deadline of Jan 1st the only rules are anyone who enters has to post pics a and share fabrication advice,tricks, and knowledge with other posters (within reason). Any tools available are allowed. I think I'm going to try to stick with a welding machine, tubing bender and a fairly simple tubing notcher in the spirit of Evans suggestion. Prize for first place.......Bragging rights. Mabey we can set up a member voting poll. We'll try not to overcomplicate this but remain open to suggestions.... What do you guys think?

 

That sounds like fun to me. I'm sure I could work that in by the end of the year...... It would be cool if 5 or 6 people would do this. If you can spare the time and have the patience, it's amazing what you can create with minimum tools and expense. For instance, if you stick with pipe sizes, you can do without a bender. You can get 45's and 90's in pipe sizes ready to weld in. Also, you can do without a notcher if you're careful with a chop saw or cutoff wheel, or patient trimming with the plasma. Really, all you need is a way to cut and a way to weld. Other than that, you just need patience and way too much time with a grinder

 

This sounds like a great idea!! I may have to join in. The problem is I don't need a bumper but I guess I can always sell it off.

Hopefully more will join and we can get this going!

 

Nice, I figured there would be interest in this one. Mabey my imagination is getting carried away here but a thread like this could become somewhat of a Bumper Builders Bible. I can only imagine all tips, tricks, pics, knowledge, and technical info to be shared. I'll be posting back around the second when I get a PC. This smartphone is killing me to type but I will most definitely be keeping an eye on this one.

 

I am currently building one as we speak. I had to pause to finish a furniture job for the CEO's walk in closet. I'll be back on the job next week some time. I'll try to post some pics. 3/16s plate steel and 2x4 rectangle 11ga. tube mount for my KC daylighters.

It will look good with my 2x4 rect. tube WTW stepbars I built a couple years ago, and with the 2x4 tube headache rack i'm also building to match that.

 

I would be really interested in seeing some pics of those stepbars as well as youro bumper fab...... I'm in bad need of some steps as I keep getting older and my truck keeps getting higher..... I'm trying to come up with a design that would offer some protection like rock slides and a little help up into the cab unfortunately othose two things seem to be somewhat of an oxymoron from an engineering standpoint.....

 

Also could anyone steer me towards some instructions for posting pics?

 

Also SJ, what are you using to cut your plate?

 

You can load them up here and wait for mod approval or you can use a photobucket (or other) account and copy/paste the [img] tag here and good to go.

 

Ridge...... I'm lucky to have a 14" vertical metal cutting Enco bandsaw. I ran out of gas in my torches and haven't refilled yet. Right now I slice a hunk off of the 4x8 sheet with a metabo and a slicer wheel. I get a few pieces at a time laid out on it and cut them out on the saw.

I'll see about some pics of the boards for ya when I get started on it again. I took them off the truck for now. The powdercoater I used a couple years ago hosed me on them. Six months after I put them on they started to rust. They eventually got so bad I had to pull them. When the bumper and rack get done, I'll have them all coated together the same metallic silver color.