Is that mounting plate going to be strong enough to support the winch without ripping the whole bumper off when using it?
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Is that mounting plate going to be strong enough to support the winch without ripping the whole bumper off when using it?
Very nice Jon! I like the clean look you have going. This build is reminding me of something :D
Here are a few from today, considering dropping the winch 1" and moving forward 1" to allow for more options on winch selections and allow customers to install a winch they may already own.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...perday22-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...perday21-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...perday23-1.jpg
Looking good man!
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Understanding you want to make it as versatile as possible... i'd try to streamline the design a bit. Currently comes out a bit far/wide; not as aesthetically pleasing and also hurts clearance when maneuvering around trees in tight trails.
Drew some quick lines for an example :)
Attachment 1209
Your marks are more like that on the right side (small side), I agree with you and will try to keep it as small as possible. I want to accommodate the larger winch up front with out making a monster bumper. I may end up with two totally different bumpers before all is said and done.
Could you make it "both" bumpers basically the same, but for those with bigger winches just have the center section poke out a bit more instead of making the entire bumper bulge out further? (just a thought, not sure how it would look)
I missed this question, yes the mounting plate will be bolted to the frame and then the bumper will bolt to the mounting plate. The number of attachment bolts will depend on design but there are currently four and I am trying to design four additional bolts into the mounting plate. There will then be six or eight bolts that connect the bumper to the mounting plate.
Couldn't tell from your pictures or not, but you could also put a stiffening plate in the frame where the bolts come through. Have the metal of the frame sandwiched between two thick pieces of steel instead of relying on the surface area provided by a washer. Assembly would also be easier if the stiffening plate had the bolts tack welded on so you'd just slide that in and wouldn't have to rely on holding the head of the bolt with a wrench.
What would be a general price range for just the winch mounting plate?
Here are some shots of the rounded corner:
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day36-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day35-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day34-1.jpg
I feel like your original 'draft' is more appropriate for an XK.
Okay, here is what I think is the final version unless someone here has any great idea for it. Keep in mind this is cardboard so there is a little sag , the metal one will be true and level.
Keep in mind that the top will be cut out to access your winch although I might be able to have that as an option as long as I can access the mounting hardware with the lid in place.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day46-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day45-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day42-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day41-1.jpg
And a peak at the new skid plate that goes between the bumper and the front skid (radiator support)
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day43-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...03/Day44-1.jpg
Looks pretty good. Is that sized to fit some of the larger winches you were concerned about?
Also, if you make the top plate removable/hinged (think of the console lid you made) then that would solve the issue of reaching the mounting hardware and allow non-winchers to use that space for cargo (tow straps, tools, etc)
Where did you get that radiator skid?
Wow that thing is bigger than I was expecting. Are you making two versions and this is the larger version? This one sticks out a ways. It doesn't look like you even needed to cut the crossmember to fit a normal winch in there. Not that I am planning on buying one for the XK I don't have :) Just throwing out my thoughts.
I still wonder if it would be better, both aesthetically and producibility wise, to make the "base" bumper smaller for general winches and then just have a different center section for the variant made for larger winches. Crude 5 minute sketch attached shows the additional bulge in red. This would make most of the bumper interchangeable (standard panels that can be water jetted) with just a few panels that change.
I thought long and hard about this last night and I think I will start with the smaller one since that will be the biggest seller and then I will make the large one for me and see if there is a market for it AFTER the main model (model name yet to be determined) becomes available.
I like that plan. If I can afford it at the time, I'm hoping to be one of the first SA front bumper owners..... the smaller version is definitely more my style, and ill probably run something like the warn M8000-s which doesn't take up much room.
Met with the fab guy today, they will draw it up in CAD on Monday based on my mock-up and send it out to water jet next week.
Looking forward to seeing it, so far so good. I also agree with the others, I am preferring the smaller one.
Will the stock bumper fit back over the winch mounting plate? Gives another option and keeps the vehicle weight almost stock.........
......................
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...elBumper-1.jpg
What is this? Where did you find that XK it's sick and love the ladder in the back :D
Wow.... That thing is incredible... that XK just made it into favorite XK's
http://www.maniacmanufacturing.com/commander.php
^^^ maybe Jon could save some time/money and contact them.... become a USA supplier/manufacturer of their bumper :cool: (of course, pending how far along the SA developed version is!)