Front Bumper Build - KZJ78

[kzj78]

So this is my first mod to my truck compliments of Crushers and the CruiserSpa.

Perhaps not a big deal for many seasoned LC owners, this was a real joy for me

The original bumper was already off so we began by removing the winch. Decided that we needed to raise the winch from where it was, underneath the front grill and get it out front and higher. This increases the approach angle significantly.

This ends up bringing the winch up about 9 inches and forward about 7 inches. Reinforced with side plates and tabs to the original front bumper mount of the winch allowing for the winch to be bolted to the frame but easily removed from the new bumper.

Shot of the side plate and tabs

Tacking the first side bar

With just the right clearance for the signal lights

And the finished product ... for now. No more dings like the one in the pic below

Also had tabs for lights added .... not that I'm back home, I have to clean up the welds, get the winch wired back up and find a new mounting for the winch controller plug.

In the new year, go back to the CruiserSpa and send it out for powder coating.

If I wasn't already hooked (which I was BTW), I am now officially hooked!

 

[Clint79]

Looks good mate

 

[audaciousduo]

It only gets worse from here, welcome to the addiction. Nice looking bumper!

 

[gotoy]

Good looking bumper.

What make is the winch? looks like an ASIN.

 

[kbushnz]

Just a question, with it up so high, wont it have a twisting effect on the mount bolts and try the shear them off??
Or is there some brace hidden from the photo.
I managed to get mine in between the chassis rails and tucked up under the pressed grill at the bottom.
Might seem a tad low, but as long as you don't bury the front when under the red mist syndrome....Works well.

 

[crushers]

it still used the factory mounting bar but flipped upside down. the one set of holes came very close to perfect but then we drilled a new one between the two factory ones. so 2 bolts top of the frame
next, using the factory roller housing we mounted the side plates which have 3 side mounted bolts per side so 4 mounting bolts per side instead of the factory 2 per side.
then the top spreader bar tied into the side bars which are welded top side and bottom side which when all coupled together becomes a very strong brace against side pulls.
light, quick, pretty, cheap ... everything that was needed to do a one day build.

thanks for posting this up Samir, it was good to see you and Mohamad.

using the factory parts made for a quick build and the approach angle REALLY gets improved over the bottom feeding factory setup.

 

[kzj78]

Good looking bumper.

What make is the winch? looks like an ASIN.

It's an OEM A1-1000 - which is an Aisin winch as I understand.

 

[gotoy]

It's an OEM A1-1000 - which is an Aisin winch as I understand.

Yes AISIN, toyo factory supplied. 10000Ibs, dam good winch and well built.

 

[kbushnz]

Looks good, pardon my ignorance, but why the fwd angled hoop? Its something we dont see down under.
But see alot on northern hemisphere trucks.

 

[crushers]

to drive the deer UNDER the vehicle instead of into the windsheild ... similar to the old Roobar design.

 

[gofast]

I like this. Very nice looking and strong design! Do you have a side profile pic?

 

[kzj78]

I like this. Very nice looking and strong design! Do you have a side profile pic?

Will take a couple tomorrow in the day and post.

 

[kzj78]

Side shot as requested

 

[crushers]

i thought you were going to paint it?

 

[kzj78]

i thought you were going to paint it?

I thought you said it would be sand blasted in the new year and powder coated so it didn't need painting

Newb mistake - I guess I'll be sanding and painting this weekend!