Tube Bumper Project
 

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ebca6b0ed1.jpg
Ok guys go easy on me. First time bending, notching and first bumper of any type. I'm struggling over every decision but happy with each one so far. This will be for a winch.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2ec4467759.jpg

If you are doing tube, I would cut out the front crossmember and tuck the winch in under the grill. With the tube bumper you will have easy access to the winch. Would help with approach angle and all that. Wouldn't be a lot of work to use what you have, just push the top bar back.

Either way, off to a good start. Better than I could do. I've been hesitant to mess with tube.

Thanks. Yes I thought about tucking the winch but being my first attempt I wanted to stay as simple as i could. Plans are to get this one completed so I have some bending and design under my belt and then probably sell it and then do another one with winch tucked under.

I like it so far:thumbup:

How do you like the bender so far?

I really like the looks of the bumper.

How are you bending the tube and what size tube are you using?

:thumbup: looks good

Nice simple design, I like it.

Thanks all.

The brackets are 1/4" and go back and utilize the three bolt holes for the steering box in addition to 2 bolts up front and an additional hole past the steering box. The main tube is 1.75 x .120. The supports and lower tubes are 1.50 x .120.

The lower square edge protruding is going to be cut back at an angle once I know its the way I want it and that I will not need that surface area. I wanted to leave it until the end in case we needed it as a mounting point for tubing.

Bender is Rogue Fabrication Model 600. Took some time to get use the measurements... ie how to mark for start of bend or center of bend, take up, etc. It didnt help that initially I had the tube clamp on bender upside down. Resulted in bend starting later than what it should have so I wasted a little tubing from the starting end. After that was figured out bends came out as measured.

Have not done much since last pic. Used the VersaNotcher, which works great by the way, to notch these two pieces in. This is a piece of 1.50 notched into 1.75 on one end and 1.50 on other end.

Winch plate added and winch installed. Need to prep and paint and would like to weigh it. I know it's significantly lighter than the SmittyBilt it replaced, which was my goal. Throwing the idea of a stinger around but want to study some designsort and make sure I make one that is not just adding weight and looks.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5cd81bd624.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7c5f0b5d45.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...3f61d161c0.jpg

Looks good. Is that the final location for the license plate? I don't think that location would fly in Virginia, can't read it. I wouldn't put a stinger on it, looks good simple. The top looks like it needs something, not sure what. Like the frame plates should be covered. Maybe a piece of plate on the top on either side of the winch.

Plate is where I had it while driving around with no bumper :) it will be relocated. So your saying plate filling in all the area between brackets and winch plate ? Appreciate the input.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1cbef42459.jpg


Not that area. In the picture above I drew a white box on the driver's side, that area on each side. A flat plate on each side.

Ohhhh... yes I actually considered that. Decided between that or another brace diagonal. Thanks

I'm not suggesting a heavy plate for structural support, 1/8" would be plenty. Purely for aesthetics. Not knocking what you got going on, it looks good as it is.