After hitting a deer, I priced replacement factory bumpers...I don't think so. I bought:
1 - 3/16 x 12 x 84" 55.25
1 - 1/4 x 12 x 24" 20.85
Plus duct tape, cardboard, hardware, coffee, etc.

 

Easy to do but would have been easier if the weather was better.

 

It turned out nice and straight. I think I'll build some more.

 

Please detail how you did the d ring mounts, I see in the beginning they are thin, and at the end they are about 1" thick. Did you add plate to either side or?

 

This turned out awesome great job

 

Probably did the same thing I did on mine, took pieces of the 1/4" plate that were cut off for the mounts to fit right and put a piece on each side of the one sticking through the bumper, sandwiching the frame mount. Then weld them all together, weld the two outside plates to the bumper face and grind it all smooth. Looks good by the way.

 

Exactly.
I just added 1/4" to each side.

I just beveled the back edge of the side tabs. If I were building it for someone else, I would probably weld the front solid also....although there probably wouldn't be a lot of difference.

 

Bruce, where in Montana are you from? Seems like most of the XJ guys are mostly around the Bozo area...

 

Get some protection up around your grill and headlights.. Take it from me
I did'nt have my XJ 2 weeks when a deer hit my front grille jamming everything from the bumper up into the engine compartment.

 

You're gonna want more than 3 bolts per mount if you plan in using those d-ring tabs. Extend the mounts down the uni-body rail and use 6-7 bolts per side.

 

I'm actually in Clinton...about 15 miles East of Missoula.

Sorry, the pictures weren't very clear. I've got 6 in each side and I'm fabricating a better gear box spacer. You're right though...I've seen some ebay bumpers that just mount to the 3 factory holes with recovery points and even stingers. I'm sure they're great, unless of course you ever actually have to use them.

 

Good to hear! Its looking good, I know that!