Dissent offroad modular front bumper (13 Viewers)

[ylexot]

In case I was unclear, me too.

I've been mulling over the question of final finish. How long can you run about unfinished and not get into trouble with rust such that it can't be remedied with standard paint/powder prep?

 

[Get outside]

I've been mulling over the question of final finish. How long can you run about unfinished and not get into trouble with rust such that it can't be remedied with standard paint/powder prep?

I've just checked your weather and it looks like about 3 days and then your bumper would turn orange/brown!

 

[benc]

A few more pics of the center section assembled and off the vehicle. You can really see all the gussets and stiffeners for the winch plate in these pics. You also can see the alignment tabs being used. The tabs will be cut slightly shorter than the thickness of the metal so you can plug weld and grind smooth. This whole center section took me about 45min to tack together I I didn't even have to break out the tape measure

 

[benc]

 

[atomsk]

So much want! Keep 'em coming!

 

[r2m]

I really like the way you are engineering this! When you're done, can you throw it on a scale to see what the weight is?

 

[benc]

Thanks.
Already weighed the first and that was 85lbs without the guard and 112lbs with. I have only added about 3-4 more lbs with the caps. The center section how you see it weighs 48lbs, but yes I will get the final product weighed as well.

 

[r2m]

Like I said in an earlier post, soon as I'm working again, I'll be putting in an order.

 

[benc]

Took the center section back for a few minor changes. Should have the final center section prototype and hopefully the the first wing sections, by the weekend. After that the rest should go pretty quick.

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

Took the center section back for a few minor changes. Should have the final center section prototype and hopefully the the first wing sections, by the weekend. After that the rest should go pretty quick.

excited. forgot to ask is there any modification we have to do to fit the bumper?

 

[Manhattan]

I've just checked your weather and it looks like about 3 days and then your bumper would turn orange/brown!

I bought an uncoated bumper from Demello Off-road for my FJ Cruiser a while back. It arrived coated in that protective oil. It was 90 degrees, sunny and humid when I scrubbed it down with degreaser, soap, etc. I hosed it down... It was turning orange AS it was drying. I had to towel dry the bumper, lightly sand, wipe it with Acetone... and paint like it was a race.

Despite all the rust inhibiting paint, the metal-etching primer, the bumper started to rust in under a year. It was eventually pulled and powder coated by a shop with a proper booth to control the humidity, etc.

If you live in an area with mild to high humidity, it would seem that a DIY or low-budget (small shop without environmental controls) coating is doomed to rust. It's really difficult to clean, prep and coat the metal before the rust process starts.

 

[benc]

excited. forgot to ask is there any modification we have to do to fit the bumper?

Yes. You will need to cut the stock bumper brackets and drill the holes in the frame. Same mods are required on most aftermarket bumper installs.

 

[ylexot]

I bought an uncoated bumper from Demello Off-road for my FJ Cruiser a while back. It arrived coated in that protective oil. It was 90 degrees, sunny and humid when I scrubbed it down with degreaser, soap, etc. I hosed it down... It was turning orange AS it was drying. I had to towel dry the bumper, lightly sand, wipe it with Acetone... and paint like it was a race.

Despite all the rust inhibiting paint, the metal-etching primer, the bumper started to rust in under a year. It was eventually pulled and powder coated by a shop with a proper booth to control the humidity, etc.

If you live in an area with mild to high humidity, it would seem that a DIY or low-budget (small shop without environmental controls) coating is doomed to rust. It's really difficult to clean, prep and coat the metal before the rust process starts.

Figured. While our summers are pretty dry, our winters and spring are not. Sounds like I need to get on the stick for picking the Prismatic Powders color I want. I need to find a shop around here that carries that brand so I can compare chips to my wheels.

 

[nitsuj]

I've been following this thread since the beginning. Before I even became a member of this forum. This is hands down my favorite bumper for the 100. I had planned to design and build my own bumper, but if I find the extra funds to buy one, I'd buy this one.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Took the center section back for a few minor changes. Should have the final center section prototype and hopefully the the first wing sections, by the weekend. After that the rest should go pretty quick.

Sweet! Let me know when you need the LX470.

 

[benc]

So I didn't end up getting the pieces today. So bummed about that. Hopefully Monday. I did get the LEDs I'm thinking will be cool for the lx guys. I may even run them on mine. I think they will go good with the flush mount lights.

I'm thinking 4-5 of them in a row next to the flush mounts.

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

where did you get the lights from. i was looking for different options but those looks pretty nice

 

[benc]

I got both from amazon.
The blinker are 3/4" clear/amber bullet lights. I think I paid $74 for the flush mounts and $29 far a set of ten of the bullets.

 

[ylexot]

The idea of the bullet blinkers is growing on me a bit. I'd love to see it before committing to it tho.

Somewhere in this thread you told us the size of the winch cavity, hut I haven't found it. What is the biggest winch we can stick in there, dimensions wise? can the winch be mounted foot forward,nor vertical only?

 

[benc]

Iv built it to fit up to a 12k, non integrated winch. but there is room to spare. I'm not sure how big you could go but anything over 12k would be overkill IMO. The winch will mount feet down only. There were several design reasons for this. If it was made to be feet forward it would have to be much more bulky looking. A lot of thought was put into where the pulling load would be applied. It all about placement and load transfer/ leverage. Feet forward mounting should only be used if the winch is centered between the frame/mounting points or close to. If you are above the frame rails you are adding a lot of leverage which puts much more stress on the mounting brackets.

You can see from this pic how my winch plate is about center of the frame brackets.