Custom front bumper
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Custom front bumper
Figured some folks here might be interested in this project. I liked the looks of most aftermarket bumpers but being a fabricator I knew I could come up with something for much less coin. Started with some 3/8" plate and made brackets, they use the huge factory tow loops. Next was the 4" sch40 pipe, that was fun at 21' feet long... I cut it, bent it in the middle and swept the outsides up towards the lights to keep from having to stick a filler plate under the lights. The 1/8" tread plate was cut according to some cardboard templates I'd cut, everything transferred pretty well and I got the shape is was after. I was hoping it would fit the front end like a custom piece and got the gaps just right I think. The center opening is wide and deep enough for a winch, but I don't have one yet. There's also enough room to mount the factory fogs on their brackets and still have room for a winch. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm building 2 fronts and should have enough material left for a rear when I feel like it. Yes, it's heavy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 20
From: prince george, bc canada
My dad was a welder/fabricator but I never picked up those skills! Now years later I feel one of the best upgrades a guy can do to his truck is a different bumper. Yours looks great.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 7
heres a bumper my buddy makes for these.
mounts are 1" from the OG recovery points to the new ones.
low mounted receiver. but no winch on this rig.
your bumper looks damn good.
i made my bumper on my 87, with a frame mounted winch plate.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 85
Likes: 8
From: Pennsylvania
Very nice job. It's a good looking bumper. I'm curious, how many hours do you have in that project?
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2013
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Thanks guys. That one sold so I'm working on another one now. Same shape more or less but tried to suck it into the truck 2 more inches, going to be cutting it close on winch room but protrusion is 7", minus the reciever. I may try and get the reciever flush with the pipe and cut an access for pin installation into the back side of the pipe. I guess I could build one in a weekend but I never have that much time to spend on one, just a few hours here and there. Fab work is fun and rewarding at times but good grief it's messy, especially after a bunch of plasma cutting.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
Very nice. Hadn't seen another like that. I wanted to try my hand at building my own bumper but didn't really know how to start and really thought it would over my skill level.
Then I thought about trying to look up some places that would sell a "Build your own bumper" kit. I don't know if there is such a thing.
Then I thought about trying to look up some places that would sell a "Build your own bumper" kit. I don't know if there is such a thing.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 158
Likes: 2
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 7
you gave someone a hell of a deal.
the one my buddy made , pictured above, sells for 800.
some of these other bumpers on the market they want crazy money for!
keep track of your time!
I wasn't gonna post this pic, but ill throw it out there,
I have 500 in material alone.
frame mounted winch plate,
and a few extra options.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 338
Likes: 1
I'm in TN. But have a buddy that runs the roads. If you think about doing more, I might be interested. My catch is it's a 2015, so fogs have moved. I would want to keep fogs and tow loops. No rush though, didn't know if your going to try and make them for side money.