i'm looking for some ideas for a front bumper for my 78 ranger. it is used mostly for off road so it has to be rugged. i would also like to have it so that i can easily mount my warn winch on the front or rear

 

check out the bumper in my sig.... I made a matching one for the rear, only it has a reciever in it. If you did the same to the front one, you could use a winch mounted to the hitch.

 

Chrono's bumper would be a easy, smart, strong way to do what you want with a winch, but here's mine anyway.

 

The bumper on the front of my 95 has seen some pretty harsh hits...one hard enough that I was surprised that the airbag didn't fire. Yet, no dents (and no frame damage or anything), just some scratches in the paint.



-Rod

 

I think Id tear a nut trying to put white max's bumper on my truck

 

lol that thing is BEEF, but its pretty cool lookin

 

C'mon... do it properly

 

wow........ nice

 

mine is 2.5" sced 80. X2 mounted on 1/4" mild steel brackets. can be easily modded for winch plate. will try to get some pics up tomorrow

 

that is

 

That is awesome! I feel sorry for the poor roo!

 

that grill is def mall crawler material. way to much bling for a real truck. the guy in front of you wouldnt be able to see due to his tail lights reflecting in his mirrors

 

In all seriousness - here is the one fitted to my Ranger, VERY simple to fab (admittedly I didn't have the time to do it... so its a purchased item -> I know, poor, but it can give you an idea... and if you saw my bird pooping welding skills you would know why I didn't make the time!)



What do you have in terms of workshop equip?
A Mig/Tig and plasma cutter would suffice, but if you have access to a pipe bender, laser cutter & heavy sheet metal folder all the better!

I have a couple of good friends that are the production engineers for ARB, and they do heaps of bumpers/roo bars, so if we can't answer your questions... I can certainly ask them.

 

here is mine. its 1/4 inch thick. with 1/2 inch thick supports. and there is a winch in there too. for more pics go to www.redneckfun.piczo.com