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- #21
MetalTech front bumper!
- Thread starter CreeperSleeper
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How do you keep the bumper tucked up nice and tight with a big winch up top of the frame rails? The bumpers on the market that are built to increase clearance are all rated for the smaller winches purely from a fitment perspective. This includes the FOR bumper above (which isn't really "on the market"), and the Slee shortbus bumper.
In any case, I think the market here isn't about the M12000. If you are an M12000 guy then you aren't prioritizing stripping weight, adding every millimeter of clearance possible, and designing more around rock crawling, and those priorities are what will sell a well designed tube bumper over the ability to fit a huge 150 lb winch.
I think a production version should come with a winch plate because 80 owners are nuts about winches. For the smaller winches that can fit between the frame rails you can produce a winch bumper with clearance that is improved over stock without adding any material pre-winch weight.
There is a good market for this - 80's are already too heavy, and bumpers like ARB tend to be relatively weak on the wings in order to keep weight manageable (and they are still heavy) whereas a tube bumper can handle impact/deflection without damage to a much higher degree without the need for excessive weight.
I'd like to ultimately see a version for people who have relocated their AC dryer into the engine compartment (or just ditched the AC system), but that will most likely be a local custom build for me.
Bring it to market - it will sell.
When he's done and it's selling, the same idea applies for the rear
Low weight, improved clearance including a tire carrier, reasonable side protection...it's all there just waiting to be put out on the market.
Lots of guys looking to add strength without compromising weight while maximizing clearance. No reason you couldn't keep an integrated high clearance hitch for towing in the process, and tube keeps the production costs down.
This entire segment of the market is missing today.
If we were to produce this bumper for the 80 series it would be a bolt on item with the bumper sticking further out past the frame rails to clear a winch. It would have a winch plate welded onto the main 2x4 channel and a fair lead mount between the middle tube and 2x4 channel.
We would also add a bend to the lower wings to help protect that AC dryer and reduce the amount of notching required to mount the tube to the wings.
Chad wanted a bumper that was as high clearance as possible. He also didn't care that his entire bumper was welded to the frame since he needs it with the way he wheels
. I would say that in total weight you are looking at around 50 - 60 lbs. Add a winch plate and fair lead mount you are probably adding another 10lbs on top of that. Either way you are still significantly lighter than a full on shell bumper. Add synthetic line to your winch and you go from 22lbs of cable to 2lbs of synthetic line. At that point your front bumper with a winch might weight no more than 110 lbs complete.
We would also add a bend to the lower wings to help protect that AC dryer and reduce the amount of notching required to mount the tube to the wings.
Chad wanted a bumper that was as high clearance as possible. He also didn't care that his entire bumper was welded to the frame since he needs it with the way he wheels
. I would say that in total weight you are looking at around 50 - 60 lbs. Add a winch plate and fair lead mount you are probably adding another 10lbs on top of that. Either way you are still significantly lighter than a full on shell bumper. Add synthetic line to your winch and you go from 22lbs of cable to 2lbs of synthetic line. At that point your front bumper with a winch might weight no more than 110 lbs complete.
So what would it cost to exactly duplicate his setup? 
So what would it cost to exactly duplicate his setup?
Not much if you can bend tube and weld
Chad,
Here is what I think
I guess I wasn't there in person enough to pester Mark. Ask him how many emails I sent him. 3 years of pestering! And yes, I love it.
Personally I think a 12k winch is over rated for an 80. Tuck in a Warn XD9000 without the integrated solenoids. Mount the pack under the hood and be happy.
By the way, Woody limits us to 20 images in our messages or I'd have more
Eric V.
Here is what I think
I guess I wasn't there in person enough to pester Mark. Ask him how many emails I sent him. 3 years of pestering! And yes, I love it.
Personally I think a 12k winch is over rated for an 80. Tuck in a Warn XD9000 without the integrated solenoids. Mount the pack under the hood and be happy.
By the way, Woody limits us to 20 images in our messages or I'd have more
Eric V.
Land Speeder
InstaH8R
You got a good-looking bumper there sir.
For those wanting to see the design without a stinger....
I had Brad at Painless Fab build this for me after deciding that my Slee bumper was way too heavy and wanted more clearance. I ended up cutting even higher and Brad matched the cuts with the bottom tube....
This design is the best at being light and minimalist. With minor modifications it can accept a winch. I love it. I expect to see more of these style bumpers in the coming years as we continue to wheel the crap out of our rigs and expect more clearance.
For those wanting to see the design without a stinger....
I had Brad at Painless Fab build this for me after deciding that my Slee bumper was way too heavy and wanted more clearance. I ended up cutting even higher and Brad matched the cuts with the bottom tube....
This design is the best at being light and minimalist. With minor modifications it can accept a winch. I love it. I expect to see more of these style bumpers in the coming years as we continue to wheel the crap out of our rigs and expect more clearance.
Stingers/bumper hoops help save the hood, radiator, and your wallet in the event of a roll/flop. I wish I had had one in the front when I rolled her. I imagine that the damage would not have been as great to the front area. IMO
hummm... that's not the same design by the same person, so that's a bit misleading
I don't know, I like and I don't like. To me it's like showing off the 80's underwear. All the little welds and bends, hardware and unfinished steel edges. I like the looks of a closed bumper, but I certainly appreciate the benefits of tubing.
Land Speeder
InstaH8R
Single cross tube with supporting tubes angled from the frame rails connecting to the top tube at the corner bends.... same design, different welding interpretation with a stinger added.
What's misleading? I plainly wrote who made mine.
I love this bumper made by Metal Tech, most likely would have bought it had it been available 6 months ago. But of course I would have said to leave the stinger off. My personal preference. Those angled tubes going to the corner of the top tube make it impossible to move that corner. There is no plated bumper that I know of that can claim that.