Front bumper DIY templates and how to? Kits? (1 Viewer)

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katit

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I want to build my own. Not because I need a bumper but because I want to learn welding and working steel.

Any plans available for download/purchase? Maybe good videos or tutorials? Looking for some cool design.
 
I would definitely start with a 4x4 labs bumper. You can see a proven design and get tons of welding experience.

Starting from scratch would be a great way to learn, but that's a huge learning curve that might leave you frustrated with metal work and a cock-eyed piece of rough steel.
 
If you have zero experience I’d at least go 4x4 labs. Before welding on that bumper you might get some scrap to dial in your welds so you don’t end up with a lot of money/time in a bumper you aren’t completely satisfied with. Welding is a great hobby to learn. Good luck with it! Unfortunately my hobby of welding turned into a career when I was 17 So it’s not as fun anymore. Ha.
If you are building a bumper you will need more tools than just the welder. Probably want a plasma and a brake as well....
 
Thanks guys! I am not 100% sure 4x4 bumper is something I like but definitely a good choice.

what I am concerned with is weight. I was hoping to be as light as possible so it’s more for show and not to overload AHC

for the price of 4x4 I can buy cheap plasma so it’s questionable.
 
Welding and metal work is quite a rabbit hole to go down. I started a few years ago and have collected a lot of tools in the process. My main limiting factor is time at the moment. I can do plenty of stuff, just don’t have the time to do it.

A bumper as your first project is a significant undertaking. Hand cutting with a plasma is a skill by itself.

what’s your current tool situation like? Are you wanting to buy some stuff and crank out a bumper in a couple weeks, or are you thinking of just building a bumper sometime in the future?
 
brownfox said:
A bumper as your first project is a significant undertaking. Hand cutting with a plasma is a skill by itself.

what’s your current tool situation like? Are you wanting to buy some stuff and crank out a bumper in a couple weeks, or are you thinking of just building a bumper sometime in the future?
Click to expand...

Last year I took some welding classes (not much) just to get dangerous. Now I need practice. Finally got decent MIG welder with gas. So, I am ready to weld but don't have much else. Don't even have welding table. But I do have basics. Grinder, wheels, safety, etc.

And no, it's not something I am planning to crank out in a couple of week. I just want welding project and figured it will be cool if I can do it on a budget. Not like I want this bumper badly. But my plastic bumper is little beat up and I want to weld and I don't mind to buy more tools...

I didn't even think about plasma to be honest, cutting with a grinder I get it will be a pain but it's a hobby project, not production. And I have steady hand.
 
I bought the Coastal Offroad rear bumper kit as a first time weld project. Time is also my limiting factor but I'm not in a hurry. It's about 25 welds so I plan to practice on the interior welds before tackling the exterior.

If you're really sporty, you could make your own templates out of cardboard. Even mock up the entire thing and "mount" it on the truck. Then just use each piece to cut the metal pieces. I've seen guys on the YouTubers do that with surprising success.

It's just metal, crappy welds grind down, trim up pieces that don't fit quite right, drink a beer... I suspect you know all this already.

I just like to repeat it in my head. ha
 
DCTLC1 said:
If you're really sporty, you could make your own templates out of cardboard. Even mock up the entire thing and "mount" it on the truck. Then just use each piece to cut the metal pieces. I've seen guys on the YouTubers do that with surprising success.
Click to expand...

This is something I wanted to do. But I have no artistic touch and I want cool design, not a metal suitcase in front of a truck :)
So, at least approx detail would be something nice to have. Then, I would take it to cardboard and go with it. My idea was to make it from square tubing and then just put outside metal skin from thinnest material for weight savings.
 
You can look at my LX for how i made my own tube bumper... feel free to copy
forum.ih8mud.com

Builds - Hammersaurus Lex - The LX470 gets tons

We would need a 5" or potentially smaller pulley... I'm gonna get iterative on this. Tomorrow I'll run the stock pulley with my 'i lost the orifice fitting' mod, which if my understanding is correct will make the pump noisy but boosty at higher rpms. It should still suck at idle. Then maybe we...
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com
 
nukegoat said:
You can look at my LX for how i made my own tube bumper... feel free to copy
Click to expand...

Actually, I really like your bumper. In my case I would like to get it "enclosed" as I don't plan to have winch. I think closing those openings with sheetmetal will look nice. So, tubes will be visible but without holes
 
I like that idea, maybe use thin stainless steel panels since you're not building it for rock crawling. Only need to paint the "frame" for rust protection.
 
katit said:
Did you make it yourself? Did you buy tube bender? Can you post more detailed pics on how it's mounted and different angles/etc?
Click to expand...
I did make it myself. I don't remember the angles etc.
 
nukegoat said:
You can look at my LX for how i made my own tube bumper... feel free to copy
forum.ih8mud.com

Builds - Hammersaurus Lex - The LX470 gets tons

We would need a 5" or potentially smaller pulley... I'm gonna get iterative on this. Tomorrow I'll run the stock pulley with my 'i lost the orifice fitting' mod, which if my understanding is correct will make the pump noisy but boosty at higher rpms. It should still suck at idle. Then maybe we...
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com
Click to expand...

I’m also hoping to learn to weld and maybe learn to wrench a little. I’m going to copy your suspension setup.
 
SlowBuild said:
I’m also hoping to learn to weld and maybe learn to wrench a little. I’m going to copy your suspension setup.
Click to expand...
A++ idea. But to truly copy me, it has to be stuck in your garage indefinitely due to coronavirus fears
 
I built this bumper last year. Made from 1/8"x6" strap all cut with an angle grinder.
IMG_20190925_113241.jpg
 
Nice job. That bumper looks great!
 
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