Your Dream Front Bumper

[Matt]

I like the interior winch because it looks cleaner.

you could make it a bit more versatile and make it an interior winch/storage compartment. For those not running a winch it can be used to haul off-road tools, straps, etc. So you wouldn't have to make 2 separate bumpers....

[Sal-XK]

I like the interior winch because it looks cleaner.

you could make it a bit more versatile and make it an interior winch/storage compartment. For those not running a winch it can be used to haul off-road tools, straps, etc. So you wouldn't have to make 2 separate bumpers....

That's a great idea even if you're going to buy a winch but don't have one yet that would be a great place to store straps and stuff I like that idea.. Weight is a concern but not a big one. The only way to save weight IMO is to either skimp on the strength using thinner steal or making the bumper smaller or ballooning the cost by using expensive but light weight metals. I personally don't want my bumper price being doubled to save 60LBS or so I'll just deal with weight by upgrading the suspension.

[LWM]

I think it would help keep it smaller if it were interior.

I like the hidden one for lots of reasons but looks is more important over all.

I like the interior winch because it looks cleaner.

you could make it a bit more versatile and make it an interior winch/storage compartment. For those not running a winch it can be used to haul off-road tools, straps, etc. So you wouldn't have to make 2 separate bumpers....

As stated, I like the Maniac bumper and it does have an interior winch, the issue would be that you would need to install the winch in the bumper prior to installing the bumper on your vehicle. I do not see a way to use the space for storage as it would not be easy to access your tools once the bumper is installed.

[LWM]

*mouth water*


What Sal said and what Matt showed. What would be important to me... is utility and practicality. It's great if it has accessory lighting, front hitch receiver, winch location, shashackles and great improved approach angles... to me, this is like trying to win the lottery.

If I were CONTINUING to mod my WK... I'd care MORE about (in order of importance to me)

Craftsmanship ( and appearance) - Is it built well? Is the structural integrity flawless? You can put as much as you want to in the bumper but if it looks like a lot of the bumpers I see out here, I'll just move on. It needs to be strong, it needs to lock good. Both are pretty self explanatory.

Recovery: I think if the above is met, we can move on to recovery (this includes winch and/or front tow hitch) What is more feasible to incorporate without jeopardizing the overall goal of this bumper.

Weight and Approach angle: I think if the above two are answered well we can move on to this one. It's got sound recovery and excellent craftsmanship. How much does it weigh. Does it make my front sag? Are the advantages of the above two worth this Sag? Or can we find ways to conserve craftsmanship and utility and still reduce weight?

price: I imagine if the above 3 are met with flying colors this category will fly out of the roof.. which leads me to my FINAL point.

customization: How easily can I customize my bumper. I care about craftsmanship but I have other mechanisms for Recovery, which reduces weight and also improves my approach angle. Can You work with this type of request. Despite a narrow market, how flexible can this product be across the board.


Those are my opinions.

All very valid points.

Craftsmanship would of a very high quality, I have no intention of starting a business with low quality stuff and closing shop on my first products.

Recovery: I plan to include at least two recovery points.

Weight and Approach angle: I have a steel bumper with a winch on my XK, I can tell you that I did not experience any sag when I added the additional weight. I do plan to sell spacers that could be purchased if needed.

price: I need to make money to pull this off but I can assure you I will have the BEST bumper at the BEST price possible.

customization: Some customization can be done, it would all depend on what the purchaser was willing to pay.

[pjmjr508]

I like this one as well

[cico7]

My dream bumper would be front and rear hidden winches that included the swing out
tire carrier on the back, just like the one Swtoffroading is making!

[Holaday07 4.7]

My preference is something like this:

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-bu...herokee-xj.htm

I want something that is light durable, and improves the clearance. I dont know if this would work or not, but you can add a winch later with these, and they are really simple.

[Sal-XK]

Most people who are going to purchase a steel bumper are going to be people who off road and probably off road a lot and beat the snot out of there jeeps. It has to be strong but not to big and can't take away any ground clearance or approach angles and in fact it should improve those two things. It needs to be strong enough to push it up a rock face because well, that's what I would do with it and judging by what I've seen on here I'm not the only one who will do something like that. I think a lot of great ideas have been given out except Dan maybe not so much LMAO. The box idea is kinda unique I think it would be cool. I think the fare lead needs to be cut out already and maybe just a square plate bolted in place to cover it up. Having it modular like that and what Matt suggested gives people options and we can just use the storage box to hold recovery gear or put a winch in there. I want a stinger but really it don't need to be sold with one that's a pretty simple thing I can add later when I want and would keep the cost of the bumper down.

[EvilJager]

Yea i had to send dan a txt about that... he said it eould be to much weight and thay id have one...hahaha

[Sal-XK]

This really isn't and idea for a front bumper but more for a rear bumper. I just read a thread where the steel rear bumper was a water tank It had a 12v pump for pumping out the water. Not sure how much water it holds but it was a pretty cool idea. Not sure how new this idea is but it is new to me anyway and I liked it a lot