New steel front bumper

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11-23-2011, 04:29 PM
TrialByFire

New steel front bumper

A fellow I met on one of my trips moved to Albuquerque and is trying to get a fabrication business started here so he offered to make me some custom bumpers. I'm posting these not because he wants to start taking orders (it's not a mail-order project), but because I really liked his design! Its light, stylish, and super-strong--with welded-on braces. It took him most of a week to do the front as it was all welding (i.e. no bends!). I hope to get it painted or powedrcoated soon while he works on the rear bumper and tire mount.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...IMG_0382-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...IMG_0375-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...IMG_0374-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...IMG_0376-1.jpg

An internal brace inside the fenders makes the tip work well as armor. We had to relocate the window washer reservoir.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...IMG_0377-1.jpg

Some nice detail of the quality.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...IMG_0378-1.jpg

The front skid is mounted from welded tabs.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...IMG_0380-1.jpg
11-23-2011, 04:40 PM
Omelet

Not too bad! How much does the whole thing weigh? Your approach angles are greatly increased. Looks like you need more air in those tires now :D
11-23-2011, 04:47 PM
Adondo

That looks GREAT. I've seen military M37's that look almost wimpy compared to that setup. :D
11-23-2011, 04:53 PM
Matt

I love seeing other people making stuff for our rigs!
11-23-2011, 05:15 PM
TrialByFire

We didn't weigh it but he said it was noticably lighter than the winch. Plus he was able to put it on and take it off by himself, so my guess is about 70 lbs without the front skid. Only the center section is 1/4".
I will get a weight on it after it's painted.

The approach angles were a priority in the design and there is not much room for additional improvement.

He took a couple of photos during fab and posted them on Craigs List and got three requests for work within a day! I think his business will be good.
He and his mechanic partner are working on me to get into a buggy and stop tearing my XK up. I went for a ride in one this weekend and got to experience my first flip. Thank God for 5-point harnesses!
11-23-2011, 06:46 PM
Sal-XK

That bumper looks pretty solid man good find. I wheel my XJ but even though it can do way more then the XK you don't get that same feeling when you get to the top in your XK :)
11-23-2011, 06:57 PM
LWM

Nice, I hope there are still people needing bumpers by the time I get mine finished. :)
11-23-2011, 07:05 PM
Sal-XK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knappster

Nice, I hope there are still people needing bumpers by the time I get mine finished. :)

Depends on how long you take LMAO hahah
11-23-2011, 08:04 PM
TrialByFire

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knappster

Nice, I hope there are still people needing bumpers by the time I get mine finished. :)

Yeah. Sorry.
I had decided to get a set of yours when this "too good to pass up" deal came along.
11-24-2011, 10:53 AM
LWM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrialByFire

Yeah. Sorry.
I had decided to get a set of yours when this "too good to pass up" deal came along.

No worries, I would do the same if I were in your shoes. And it is Black Friday weekend! :)
11-24-2011, 06:02 PM
Holaday07 4.7

That is really cool. He planning on making more?
11-25-2011, 10:43 AM
TrialByFire

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holaday07 4.7

That is really cool. He planning on making more?

Only if you want to drive to Albuquerque and leave it with him for a week. He did a few welds to the unibody.
11-25-2011, 11:49 AM
strokeZ

Very nice! looks like great build quality. Can't wait to see the rear w tire carrier.
11-25-2011, 01:03 PM
Holaday07 4.7

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrialByFire

Only if you want to drive to Albuquerque and leave it with him for a week. He did a few welds to the unibody.

Nope, lol. Cant wait to see the trails your going to try now.
11-25-2011, 02:48 PM
TrialByFire

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokeZ

Can't wait to see the rear w tire carrier.

Neither can I! We'll probably do it next week. We have some ideas for improving the departure angle as well.

What do you all think about the paint/powdercoat color? Should I go with black, or try to compliment the body color? Black is easy to touch up, but a color would really look planned.
11-25-2011, 03:34 PM
Holaday07 4.7

I would do a darker tan for the bumpers if it were mine. Show off the bumpers without looking chopped up.
11-25-2011, 03:52 PM
Matt

I think it'll definitely look more "finished" if they're done body color. Maybe color match but with a flat or matte; so it'll be different enough, but still look like it belongs and make it easier to touch up than if you did an all out color match / clear coat...
11-28-2011, 05:44 PM
JonJon

How about a WK bumper like this?!?!?! BADAZZ!!!
12-10-2011, 07:37 AM
Holaday07 4.7

How is that back bumper coming along?
12-14-2011, 11:16 AM
TrialByFire

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holaday07 4.7

How is that back bumper coming along?

He's hasn't started it yet. After breaking, we've just been trying to get it drivable again. We found out last night I snapped the front axle. That means on one obstacle, I took out the t-case, a CV, and the passenger-side axle! Even then, I drove it out of the desert with no problems!
01-16-2012, 10:26 AM
txbajacommander

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrialByFire

He's hasn't started it yet. After breaking, we've just been trying to get it drivable again. We found out last night I snapped the front axle. That means on one obstacle, I took out the t-case, a CV, and the passenger-side axle! Even then, I drove it out of the desert with no problems!

If you don't mind me asking, where did you move the washer fluid bottle to.? I also eliminated mine with my bumper, wouldn't mind having it back
01-16-2012, 03:49 PM
TrialByFire

I haven't done it yet but there is space for about a 2-3 liter container near the passenger-side firewall. Hopefully, that will be enough volume as it needs to supply both the front and rear washers.
01-17-2012, 08:11 AM
txbajacommander

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrialByFire

I haven't done it yet but there is space for about a 2-3 liter container near the passenger-side firewall. Hopefully, that will be enough volume as it needs to supply both the front and rear washers.

If you do it keep me posted. would like to see it finished. Thanks
01-17-2012, 08:06 PM
Omelet

5 Attachment(s)

Here is what another guy did. Got a junk yard bottle, made a bracket, and secured it to the firewall.

Attachment 1107 Attachment 1108 Attachment 1109 Attachment 1110 Attachment 1111
01-17-2012, 08:07 PM
Omelet

3 Attachment(s)

Attachment 1112 Attachment 1113 Attachment 1114

I hope this helps :D
01-17-2012, 08:16 PM
Sal-XK

That helps thanks man!
01-17-2012, 08:43 PM
txbajacommander

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omelet

Here is what another guy did. Got a junk yard bottle, made a bracket, and secured it to the firewall.

Attachment 1107 Attachment 1108 Attachment 1109 Attachment 1110 Attachment 1111

that does help. thanks, wonder if I could cut off the filler neck and do something similar.
01-18-2012, 07:42 AM
cico7

I think a mount where you can just attach a whole bottle of washer solvent so you dont have to refil so often.
You could refil if you wanted or just replace the bottle. Think of it like an IV drip.
01-18-2012, 08:05 AM
AJeepZJ

^that is a SICK idea!
05-23-2012, 07:27 AM
Matt

Ever get your washer fluid setup?