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I have learned a lot from this forum and so I thought I would share my latest project. I built this bumper for added protection, since the stock one is pretty weak. I really like the ARB bumper, but I do not need a winch, so I mimicked their design, with a few personal changes. The shell is made of 1/8th inch, and the bracket assembly is built out of 1/4 inch steel plate. I have got some good ideas from this community,
so hopefully my contribution might help someone else. Bumper before paint. Back of bumper, after paint. Completed bumper.
Thank you for the kind words.
itscrazytom - I had left-over steel from other projects, it basically cost me around $20 for some primer and paint. I am fortunate enough to have a friend that has a plasma table and a press-brake. I am working on a skid plate and will post some photos of it soon.
Last edited by vwrunner; 01-21-2020 at 07:15 PM.
Reason: Additional text
That is one clean bumper you have there. I'm in the same boat as wanting a good bumper and not needing a winch. I am not really a fan of tubes nor stingers unless on a purpose built 4X4 I will say that the winch box makes a good storage bin if a top is available though.
Thank you for the kind words.
itscrazytom - I had left-over steel from other projects, it basically cost me around $20 for some primer and paint. I am fortunate enough to have a friend that has a plasma table and a press-brake. I am working on a skid plate and will post some photos of it soon.
In that case I will double your invest for it! It really does look great!
5 Fists, that is so true. I built the rear bumper without that special equipment and it took a lot longer and it didn't turn out as good. Here is a photo of it. I think it turned out OK, but you can see that the bends are not as smooth, nor as gradual as the press brake bends on the front bumper, and I went though quite a few cut-off wheels to cut everything out of the sheet of steel.
Yotabiff, I am running 33 x 10.5 tires. I like the height of this size, but I don't like a very wide tire. Besides, my rims are 15 x 7, so running a 12.5 wide tire is pushing it. I used to have 33 x 12.5's on these rims and I didn't care for it much.
5 Fists, I am a do-it-yourself budget builder, therefore the bumpers have a rattle can spray paint job. I figured the bumpers would end up getting scratched up anyway.
I never had the factory skid plate for my 4Runner and the ones at the junk yard were either horribly bent-up or missing, so I figured I would make one. It is made of 3/16th inch aluminum plate. Here are some photos.
Cut and bend skid plate Rear view
I forgot to mention that when I built the bumper, I incorporated two reinforced jack-points. I tested it out and it holds the vehicle without any drama.
5 Fists, I am a do-it-yourself budget builder, therefore the bumpers have a rattle can spray paint job. I figured the bumpers would end up getting scratched up anyway.
Pretty awesome rattle can job! I thought for sure they were powder coated. You're inspiring me to get back on some of my custom stuff!
"I forgot to mention that when I built the bumper, I incorporated two reinforced jack-points. I tested it out and it holds the vehicle without any drama."
Nicely done, sir. I thought there were animated emoji's for humbled adulation, but can't find one. It applies just the same.
01-20-2020, 01:20 PM
