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I finally got around to building a front bumper for my truck. This project for moved up because my block heater cord failed and grounded against my bumper which ended up melting all the plastic off the front as well as the front plate.
I had a few parameters I wanted to achieve when making the bumper:
A) Had to visually look decent
B) Not be overly huge or hang out too far
C) Be capable of mounting my existing brush guard to.
D) withstand a minimum of 2 squirrel impacts
Now that I had my baseline goals in place I set out to measuring and planning. I started up deciding on having the bumper be made from a modified "C" channel. Onceni found out i couldn't get normal "C" channel that size I had a shop bend flat plate to my size. I had then bend a 1/4" plate into a C measuring 6" across one leg, 10" face, and a 2" leg on the bottom. I had them cut the bent channel to various lengths to form the basis for my build.
Once I had the pieces I started with the middle section. I welded the 2 middles pieces together and added the mounts when it would attach to the frame.
Once I had the center section together I made sure it fit and looked decent on the truck.
From there i went piece by piece and clamped them in place to make sure i liked the look and the angles were good before cutting and welding each piece on.
It came together pretty smoothly. Lots of grinding. Definitely a 2 man lift taking it on and off.
I wasn't super sure on how o wanted the ends to look on the side. I thought about maybe just a sharp angel, but then remembered the rear bumper has a notch so I decided to do that on the front as well.
Here is the one side after welding the cap plates on and grinding and priming it.
The bumper was looking very goverand fit gloriously. Some more grinding and samding before priming and painting it to match the rear bumper. Here it is with a base coat of paint. I knew I was going to have to go over it after getting the brush guard on.
I had the brush guard from when I got the truck. It needed a few mods to fit the bumper. I also cut off a dented round cross tube and replaced it with some square tube to match the truck better.
I then went ahead and pulled out some old fog lights i had laying around to mount on the front. I have then angled so they light up the ditches and sides of the road for those long dark stretches.
Wiring it all up was fun..thanks Centurion
Hope you guys like it as much as I do. All in it cost me about 160 in metal.
Great looking bumper. I've got to do something about mine too. Previous owner hit something hard enough to dent the front about 18 inches right of center so the driver side return curves downward. I've looked for the older styled winch bumpers that were sold back in the eightys that weren't the heavyweight plate offers now on the market. Just a standard flat winch bumper that's not so heavy that it creates front end problems due to the massive weight. But so far I have not found anyone who's still making and selling something similar. Wish I had wielding skills and a shop while I'm wishing. Sweet brush guard too.
I was going to weigh the bumper. Never got around to that, but id guess its only 150 lbs or so. Its lift able by one person, but maneuvering it into place would be hard without banging into everything.
It mounts onto the stock bumper brackets. Nothing on the truck was modified to mount this bumper. Its mounted with four 1/2" bolts and locknuts.
That looks fantastic! I wish I had a shop and the knowledge to weld like that. I want something beefier for my 90' f150 and am looking at iron bull bumpers. Their stuff looks pretty decent and tough.
The nicest looking bumpers for our trucks in my opinion are made by Bronco Air. But Jeebus are they expensive. All of the aftermarket bumpers are. Its not much in materials but the labor can be quite a bit, depending on how nice you want it to look.
Great looking bumper. I've got to do something about mine too. Previous owner hit something hard enough to dent the front about 18 inches right of center so the driver side return curves downward. I've looked for the older styled winch bumpers that were sold back in the eightys that weren't the heavyweight plate offers now on the market. Just a standard flat winch bumper that's not so heavy that it creates front end problems due to the massive weight. But so far I have not found anyone who's still making and selling something similar. Wish I had wielding skills and a shop while I'm wishing. Sweet brush guard too.
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