Oh my turn, front bumper build
 

So basically my stocker was smashed up by the PO so for a while I thought of just putti a different stocker on there. When I checked the price a local wrecking yard wanted I knew I had to build my own.

A little background, I am a finisher at my work, basically I do final finishing (grinding, grain, and/or polishing).

Like this, brass hand rail bracket.

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Turned the machined finish on the right to mirror.

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So here is the start, 6x17x3/8ths thick material. I found the plans online which ended up being incorrect.
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I got the brackets mocked up tonight after work and need to fill the front two wholes tomorrow then drill the new wholes a half inch back. Oh well so I cut the fenders in prep as well.


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So tomorrow I will drill the wholes in the proper place, grab from grade 8 bolts for the steering box and I hope to start rolling the tube for the bumper or at least get the front plate welded in.

I've seen a lot of bumper builds so I wouldn't normally comment or care to watch the progress but I'm intrigued being what you do for a living. I except impressive work. Continue good sir!

subscribed...I never get tired of bumper builds or any fab for that matter. This is my favorite section. Cant wait to see your ideas..

Thanks. It should be pretty cool and different then most bumpers. I really want a light weight but strong bumper that will protect my fenders a little as well as giving a better entry angle.

Well I got the rest of the material sorted out today at work and cut the pipe I choose down to ruff size for handling. I really want to finish my brackets tomorrow but the plans I found online where absolute crap. Three of the whole lay outs are off by a1/4 inch or more which is just frustrating. So now to decide if I need to weld the wholes back up or scrap the plate and start over.

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Passenger side test fit and so far so good.

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Driver side, not so much.

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Mocked both so I can cut down the plate to fit in between the brackets that will tie into the core support.

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Rear lower steering box whole is off by a 1/4 inch as well as others but I will remedy that. Also when I am done I'm going to build a cad file with PROPER diamentions so you will be able to take it to a fab shop or laser cutter and not dick around like I have had to.

I thought that with these plans I would save time but boy was I wrong.

looking good. this is what i did today. I used cardboard to make my bracket template and then made a plastic one to mark my holes. I hope it all of them line up the first time..

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Great idea. What I'm going to do tomorrow is get a piece of 16gauge stainless or aluminum and cut them to size, then use transfer punches to mark the wholes then drill the wholes to size that way I will have a accurate template for each side as well as a accurate part to build plans from.

i havent even checked but have you noticed if the passenger side holes are mirrored with the driver side? I made the pass. side only.....oh and i saw any thread with the plastic template idea.

I don't believe the passenger is identical , the 3bolts for the factory bumper mount is the same but thats it.

I believe the Hole rear of the Steering box is the same on both sides. I have a set of tow hook brackets that use those holes and they are identical. If you were having these lazer cut it wouldn't be wrong to just make two of these plates with all the holes and then forgo the extra holes (or use them, but that would require more work on your part).

Yes, both brackets are identical.

I stand corrected, sorry for the misinformation.

I worked through my first break today so I had 45 minutes to work on the brackets. I madeba plug and gig welded it in then drilled the new whole for the steering box mount. Measured and cut down the center plate and tacked it into place. Then on my next break ill get a scrap of the pipe I'm using and mock it into place so I can see where to cut the brackets for my D ring mounts. Also last night the wife and I picked the color and finish for the bumper which I'm stoked about. Pictures to come when I get home.

Please tell me it's just black.

Come on Lr2, live a little. It's gonna be polished brass.

Actually I had aluminum picked out at first, then stainless but the weight of stainless turned me off because the whole purpose is to be lighter weight. I could have done the aluminum but it doesn't like our pyramid roller which I will need for my tubing.

Color will be black or dark charcoal. Mainly the finish was what we where questioning, bed liner, bomb can flat black, etc. I am pretty sure it will get a eggshell enamel coating though. A sister company to mine is a paint and coatings business.

Onto pictures.
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I didn't get one of it tacked in because I changed it around 3 times because I was not happy with the aesthetics of it.

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Shop is very full right now with a current job for Amazon so I couldn't pull the heep into the shop so I had to work outside the door.

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Removed and on the bench for second pass then cutting the ends down for the tubing fitment and D-ring mounts. Our plasma cutter was stored away and being the only person in the shop I can't run the forklift so I just used a portaban to ruff cut it.

Brought it home for the weekend for final grinding. I dug out some old rings I had in the garage so those will have to go back to work on monday so I have them sir fitment with the tubing.

Not too much done over the weekend but today on my break I dug this out.

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And then rolled the main pipe for the bumper. I used a 9ft piece of pipe so I could cut out the ends where the radius isn't continuos anymore.
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Tomorrow I will cut it down to size and hopefully bend the returns and tack those into place.