Anyone trimmed the front bumper to improve angles?

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cutting started

Ok, I've been thinking about this bumper trimming thing for a while. Bottom line right now is I can't afford to buy a new front bumper yet. First thing I need is suspension and shocks then a rear locker. So for now, trimming will have to do.

Today I started cutting:) I needed to do something because the tuperware is in the damn way. I proved this when I trashed my front bumper doing a medium difficulty run this weekend with TTORA-Socal.

Today was phase 1 and I am not done. I am planning on relocating the fog lights into the lower vent and cutting some more off. Then I will remove the skin and have it Line-X'd so it doesn't look too bad.

Damage:

http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97027941.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97027943.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97028187.jpg

Marking with electrical tape:

http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97028174.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97028168.jpg

Unbolted the skin and cut off wings (one of which was bent):

http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97027952.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97027949.jpg
http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97027946.jpg

Bolted skin back on and cut with jig saw (plastic blade):

http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97028179.jpg

Finished for today, resume cutting and Line-X next week:

http://pic17.picturetrail.com/VOL817/1961151/7426558/97028162.jpg

Bottom line, there is tons of plastic just waiting to be cut! Please reserve final judgement until I am completely done, or just flame away:eek:

Next week I plan on relocating the fog lights inboard and trimming more plastic out of the way, touching up the cuts and making them nice and even, then Line-X the skin. Not sure if I'll do body color or black?

If I get real lucky, my wife will hate it and I can buy a TJM!
 
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I've been watching this with alot of interest, glad to see the pics... what are you planning for the sides now? Obviously you have a big hole there now...

also are you planning on "finishing" the edge with something?
 
The sides will get some plastic cut outs with the same Line-X treatment most likely. The edges will be neatly trimmed and the skin will be Line-X'd on both sides and the edge.

I can only hope it turns out ok, or find the skin off a junker and try again. I've seen the new skins on ebay for around $100.

It will just have to do I guess:doh:
 
Modify Stock bumpers?

Reading your post I misunderstood your design for approach & departure angles with using stock bumpers. I took Photoshop and brought both bumper in but left stock form and function. It does change approach & departure angles and creates and more compact design. I’m an architectural metal designer and so I know any designs anyone could dream, can be built by an architectural sheet metal shop. Aluminum, steel, titanium or a combination of several metals could be used to create your design. I’ve included one example in comparison and quite possible to modify. I didn’t measure exact angles but they are different by modification. :bounce2:
 
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Bloodhound,

I realize I haven't actually improved the approach angle coming straight onto an obsticle, what I've done, is provide clearance for the front tires to make contact with rocks before the sides of the bumper does.

It's all about picking the best line for your vehicle, which isn't easy in the large 100 series with minimal ground clearance and terrible tupperware bumpers. By opening up the plastic bumper near the tires, I hope to avoid more rocks next time;) Now I can put tire on rock, not plastic.

When I can afford a custom front bumper, I may move it back towards the engine by cutting a few inches off the frame. You illustrated the concept nicely with your photochop.
 
Dog: I know you want to 4-wheel the 100. Awesome. I HIGHLY suggest you consider cutting the front and rear frames and making the FIRST down-sized 100. You talk about getting to Tucson? MY MECHANIC CAN DO IT FOR YOU! If you trimmed your 100 down like I did my 80 people would be amazed at your truck and what it can do.
He's reasonable. Keep in mind I got both bumpers done in the 80 for under $400! This guy is awesome! Look again at my 80. He'd make a setup for a 100 even nicer! Whatever you want!

http://www.expeditionswest.com/vehicles/adventurepartners/john80.html

You know me for looks....my 100, right? The 80 looks SWEET too! Those bumpers, the app and deparch angles. Nice. Give it a thought. If I find a used 100 this is my plan for it. Meanwhile, BEAT ME TO IT! At Moab I could have taken lines in my 80 that other 80's could not. You can do the same in your 100. Whatcha think?
 
calamaridog said:
Bloodhound,

I realize I haven't actually improved the approach angle coming straight onto an obsticle, what I've done, is provide clearance for the front tires to make contact with rocks before the sides of the bumper does.
Click to expand...

Lot of hard work and thought man, pics look so far so good! One concern: sliders sound like a good investment now though b/c if you can put the front tire on the rock and crawl up, over, you still gotta go down and CRUNCH. That would be expensive compared to experimenting with the front bumper.

tad
 
Schotts,

I've already got plans for customs bumpers and someone more local to do the fabrication. Money will be spent on sliders, locker, then suspension first, after all, there is still plenty of tupperware to scrape up. I may not have money for bumpers for 1-2 more years:eek:

Tad,

I'm planning on doing sliders next;) Thinking about weld on vs. bolt on...
 
calamaridog said:
Schotts,

I've already got plans for customs bumpers and someone more local to do the fabrication. Money will be spent on sliders, locker, then suspension first, after all, there is still plenty of tupperware to scrape up. I may not have money for bumpers for 1-2 more years:eek:

Tad,

I'm planning on doing sliders next;) Thinking about weld on vs. bolt on...
Click to expand...

Hey, I tried. :) I just can't wait to see a shortened 100. :)

I was advised to NOT get weld-on sliders. If you bend them you're screwed. If you hit a bolt-on one really hard then they simply move on the frame and you can loosen, re-adjust, and re-tighten so you're back to normal.

I JUST did that on the 80. I hit a 3' rock so hard my slider crookened itself. It was easy to straighten on the frame. Had it a been welded to the frame the slider itself might have got bent. You can always tack-weld your bolt-on slider to the frame for added strength though I opted to not do that either. With all the wheeling I do I've only crookened one once. :)
 
Whew..........
You are brave, I wuld not cut it that extreme.
I would do it more like this Tacoma and lose the fog light.
partial.jpg
 
Augie,

When I was wheeling on Sat. there were 9 Tacos and almost all of them were cut that way.

I'll trim more plastic next week and move the foglights inboard to the lower grill.

Schotts,

I've never seen a weld-on slider bend. The ones I've used in the past are overengineered and very beefy. If they bend, it will not be at the frame or mount and the outriggers can be torched off and refitted.

Weld-on certainly limits my resale market however:D
 
ShottsUZJ100 said:
Like you'll ever let go of that thing when it's done?
Click to expand...

I think that is the point. I can build weld-on sliders which are stronger than bolt on for half as much money. I won't be selling this rig to anyone who doesn't like deep paint scratches as I already put some real nice ones in the sides which will not buff out:eek:

The first 20 or so scratches were liberating. Now I don't give a :censor: anymore:D

I've been looking at the bumper and I took too much off the sides. Oh well, if I can find a skin real cheap at the junk yard I'll try again, if not, I'll deal with it.
 
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