I have had my ZJ for 8 months now and I have done quite a bit on it so far; made a roofrack with lights and jack mounts, 2" BB (it already had a 3" suspension lift), CB install, 32x11.5x15 BF Goodwrench, Stereo and door Speakers and fixed my Delay on my wipers. But I have a Lerado and no tow hooks on the front or the rear to go wheeling.




My dad has a 2000 WJ and has built a front bumper for his and has the towing package that he puts a tow hook in for the rear; me- NOTHING . So I am going to make a bumper that is a lot like his, that he made, but with a few modifications (we will find out if they are for the best or not).

This is my dads:



So you see what I am aiming for, when it comes to a front bumper. We don't have a lift, but we do have a welder and plasma cutter in our shop- along with any tool Harbor Freight has ever made .

I started this Thread, in hopes to not show you what not to do, but to get an insider of the ZJ. It will be a learning experiance for me, cause I am no welder and by the cuts you will see in the pictures, that i can't cut either. We are signed up to go to a ride with other jeeps on 2/25/12 at Barnwell Mountain in Gilmer, so that is my deadline. So with that being said- Wish me luck!



1/22

Took off the truck cowling for the front bumper and located the frame and where to tie in the main support for the bumpers. I have seen this in my research from other forums.











Started to make a Template for the main tie in for the support from the frame. My support will come out at 4 inches from the original bumper.



I will have more picture up tomorrow or 1/25/12.

 

I welded nuts onto the back of my main support that is attaching to the frame. I had to cut out the holes to fit a little better, but once was mounted the Channel iron was pretty level.











I then put a piece of 3x3 angle iron in between the two channel iron supports, to give it sturdiness and will be my main support for the whole bumper.





I then started to play around with the main layout of the front of the bumper...





That is most of the template that my dad used for his, with a few changes. I also hope to add some Fog lamps in the bumper as well as a hitch mount and hooks.

Here is the the first plate..





So far this is where I am..

 

damn no replies? i like it. good to see some more ZJs. im doing pretty much the same thing on mine.

 

keep up the good work so far!!

 

I know right!?!?! Thanks- yea i had a chance to buy a WJ last week and i turned it down.. i really enjoy my ZJ.

 

Thanks nickzj

 

Last night (2/24/12), I put back in my angle iron support to tie in the two mounting pieces that bolt to my frame. I then tack welded the corners and un-bolted and pulled the bumper out.



Even the tack welds made the two pieces of channel iron draw inward. So i got a bottle jack and some timber to straighten the main supports up.



Once I straightened the channel iron back out, i then placed back in and welded the front and back.





I then started to center my main front piece and make sure it doesn't go to high over the area that i am going to tie the top of the bumper into- with just tack welds. (didn't take that picture) So then i just started to tack in the sides and making a bend to form the outside of the turnsignals.

 

Just did some editing in paint, while at work, and this is how the bumper should turn out.

 

I'ma liking it.

 

Thanks- yours looks good as well. I might have to use your side rail build next.

 

thats a sweet way to start the build. Me and friend built mine. my winch plate is a RC though so we just kinda built around it. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f38/ok...-4408/index70/

Also, you might want to use some 1/4 inch plate on the outside of your frame rails. that way its sandwhichs the frame,, just having those bolts through there prolly isnt enough and it could rip off if you did any real pulling on it. Cheers.

 

Thanks- Thats a great idea. might have to do that. i know i have enough bolt thread to do that.

Thanks for the help.

 

1/25/12-

Cut out my side pieces to tie into my finder wells. Thought they turned out pretty nice.

This is mine on the top, that i cut out of dads original for his WJ (bottom).



Then i tack welded in the side plates.





I then marked and gathered ideas for my front skid plate. I have decided that i am not going to weld my front skip plant on, but just mount it in many locations so that i can take it off and clean and wash behind it. I have located these three tabs to mount to at the bottom of the frame, and will have to modify my plate for the top.

 

^^^^^ make me this I pay 100 dolla....
Looks beautiful

 

lol I will have to think about it... nah- but thank you. I hope i make my time frame.