This will be kind of a long post, sorry.

So last winter, I spent about 6 weeks in a sub zero garage rebuilding the top half of my 2000 Excursion gas V10. I straight piped the exhaust, replaced most of the brake system and put on new rims and tires.

So with all that money spent, what happened last month really hurt. I tagged a moose at about 30 mph. The truck took it quite well and because I was moving the same day of the accident, it was a good two weeks before I could get it to the repair shop. Fortunately, the insurance covered the $4000 repair.

Moose collisions are a regular occurrence here in Alaska, and I've been blessed to have gone 7 years without hitting one. The fact that the truck is paid off and reliable and the fact that my family fills it up completely (with the additional 4 row) makes this truck invaluable. I refuse to go back to a van.

Because of this I want to make sure any future moose collisions are damage free. I am going to build a bumper that will take an impact. Granted I have no way of knowing how well it will work, but I think my plans will. I have attached some pictures of my damaged truck and two pictures (altered with the paint program for a visual prospective) with the rough idea of my plans. Just to put everything in prospective, the beam at bumper level will either be a 6x6 or 8x8 square tubing (1/4"thick) and all the other beams will be 3x3x 1/4" thick. The gussets will be upwards of 1/2".

As the photo of the white excursion depicts, I want to run a brace somewhere down the side. Since my truck is still in the shop and I can't look at it right now. I'm trying to determine if there are any solid areas to bolt / weld the brace to. The overall bumper may be strong enough without this brace, but I would rather it be too overbuilt rather than under built.

My mind is made and there ain't no changing it, so any constructive suggestions would be great.

Additional lights are on the agenda as well. A lot of Alaskans run with multiple light bars on the roads. It tends to be encouraged up here.

 

curious how that is $4k in damages? using OEM take-offs, I can see about $1k max

I recommend you look at a Ranchand bumper. They offer pre-built units that will achieve everything you are looking for. Except that upper brace.

 

Used hood, new quarter panel, new light assembly / HID replacement, front bumper(was dented) supports behind the light assembly, grill, paint job and not to forget everything is more expensive in Alaska.

I looked at the Ranchand bumpers. That 12 gauge steel will buckle like tinfoil upon impact with a 1200 - 1500 lb moose. Sure it will reduce the damage, but I want to eliminate it, not have an expensive bumper pushed into the front end.

I have yet to find a factory made bumper that extends above the hood (from one side to the other, not just above the grill), which is needed to prevent the top heavy moose from just rolling onto the hood. With these animals, you need more of a catcher.

 

I'm trying to remember the company. I think AARCHATAN had one on his Excursion. The bumper wrapped up and over the top of his hood. Would be an ideal starting point. Couple of braces and you have all the protection I think you're after
don't think you are giving them a fair shake. Ranchands are popular for a reason. We have to worry about cattle strikes in Texas and I've seen truck frames bent/broken with the bumper itself looking fine


speaking of, a bumper of that style ensures next impact will cause frame damage. just a FYI

 

I don't doubt they work fine with cattle. Cattle are a lot shorter than a moose, therefore the main part of the bumper will take the brunt of an impact. A moose on the other hand will impart more force to the top of the framework. I've seen what them long legged *******s do to vehicles up here and that is why I want something taller and beefier.

As far as the frame goes, I have some plans to help that, but if I hit a moose hard enough to damage the frame with my bumper design, then I don't even want to imagine how messed up my truck will be without it. Either way, the insurance will write it off. Hell, they barely went along with my recent incident.

 

there is no real way to "eliminate" impact damage and like tylus said if you think this damage is bad a bumper that is "extremly solid" will just lead to your X being writen off due to frame damage at the crumple zones

 

If you're gonna be the one making this, get rid of that ridiculous, stupid brace at the top. It's useless based on what you're wanting. Just brace the vertical extension properly and you'll have better results.

Stewart

 

I like this one:




Just add some spikes along the top to "catch" those pesky little moose as they try to roll their long-legged bodies over the top, and you are golden!

http://www.pinterest.com/aluminess/f...-road-bumpers/

 

Be a better driver, a slow moving animal like a moose has to be pretty hard to hit, unless you're not paying attention.

 

Look up Hard Notch Customs.

I have their f&r winch bumpers. Got a hell of a deal 2 years ago on "Black Friday"

Stout with good powder coating.

They have a MKS, "Moose Knuckle Sandwich" model that might peak your interest.

 

It sounds like you are pretty set on building your own, but for another aftermarket option would be Buckstop in case you change your mind.

 

Having an "armored" front bumper to prevent (most) damage from a moose also introduces a frame bending capability that can still total your Ex.

There are numerous posts where folks with beefy front bumpers ended up with terminal frame damage due to the "Lack OF CRUMPLE ZONE" transmitting ALL the forces in to the FRAME and causing it to bend and resulting in a totaled vehicle.

 

Nuff SAID

 

i was thinking of somethign like this.. why defend against impact when you can just cut through them aslong as the bumper is red no one will be the wiser if its bloody will even double as a way to cut through traffic and those annoying people that double park cars in the only spot that can fit an X

 

Just google moose vs truck to get and idea of the forces you are up against.

Honestly I fear a deer thru the windshield injuring passengers more then a moose hurting my truck.