New tube bumper for my rig

[Dragon]

So in my never ending search to modify my rig within a budget and yet maintain a "look" that is unique, I turned to Toy Outfitters (aka NCFJ) for a front bumper.
His tube frame bumper is one in which you can order a winch mount or a receiver.
I opted for the receiver so that a portable winch can be plugged in to the rear receiver or the front receiver, depending on which direction you need a tug from.

Now for the juicy parts.
I asked Stan (NCFJ) if he could customize a bumper to allow for my four PIAAs up front. He obliged without a second thought!
I wanted flat black. He said he would do that!

So while this bumper is so very much his ingenious design, he customized it for this individual. I'm so damn impressed and here are more reasons.

Look at the crate he sent.

( I had already removed the 30 some odd screws from the top and just laid the board back on for the photo)

and inside was my new Toy Outfitters / perfectly protected / flat black / light tabbed bumper

Which was bolted down (well, actually some monster screws) to the crate floor so that it could not move during shipment

Well, sorry to blah blah blah, but this dude paid some serious attention to detail and I wanted to share.


...oh, sorry. The install pics.

It was dark, so here are a couple of low light photos. I'll take more tomorrow and even more over the weekend.

Edited to add daytime pics

 

[tibaal89]

Like I said on the Blue, it's a great looking bumper. I agree 100% about the hitch being a cool way to go, more versatile and the weight of the winch isn't stuck up front.

It's a lot heavier than what I'd like in a tube bumper (mine is about 50lbs), but with the removable winch you easily make up that difference.

Good luck not getting assraped here like before... just don't mention Shadow Warrior or something, it will only make matters worse.

 

[Dragon]

A lot happened behind the scenes, and in the end it came down to this: Woody and Gumby are good people. Period.

...but enough of exhuming what is dead. Thanks for the comment.

 

[tibaal89]

I don't know who Woody and Gumby are, but they have really cool names.

Just being an ass there, don't mind me... all in good fun!

 

[1shot1kill]

Nice!

 

[1911]

Turned out great Bill; would like to see it with the winch in action too!

 

[adso]

Ooooooo! Very nice! Think he could do something for that wimpy rear bumper?

 

[Dragon]

Ooooooo! Very nice! Think he could do something for that wimpy rear bumper?

He has one in the works

 

[Aggie]

A lot happened behind the scenes, and in the end it came down to this: Woody and Gumby are good people. Period.

...but enough of exhuming what is dead. Thanks for the comment.

 

[woody]

looks sharp, nice lines!

-----
I'm 'personally' not a fan of receiver winch mounts....hitches are designed for a straight pull, and unless you are VERY lucky, you will never winch straight ahead...side loads are not good for rear receivers...

and, guaranteed, you will have that receiver buried in the goo when you need to install the winch to get free....and it won't do you squat for good.... (you DO live in the midwest!)

then, worse, your buddies will install receivers on their rigs and wanna borrow your winch

I've been wheelin a few years (like 20) and have needed a rear winch twice.....once, I got creative...the 2nd time I had a buddy winch me free....lol

 

[Dragon]

looks sharp, nice lines!

-----
I'm 'personally' not a fan of receiver winch mounts....hitches are designed for a straight pull, and unless you are VERY lucky, you will never winch straight ahead...side loads are not good for rear receivers...

and, guaranteed, you will have that receiver buried in the goo when you need to install the winch to get free....and it won't do you squat for good.... (you DO live in the midwest!)

then, worse, your buddies will install receivers on their rigs and wanna borrow your winch

I've been wheelin a few years (like 20) and have needed a rear winch twice.....once, I got creative...the 2nd time I had a buddy winch me free....lol

Good to know about the pull direction. This is mounted to the frame in a location below and to the side as well, so it should be a bit better, but I see your point.
As far as sticking the receiver in the midwest gunk, it might be a good idea to put the winch on at the beginning of a trail, leaving it off only while it is my daily driver. I'll have to see how it goes. Usually if you are in a situation where you need a winch (whether it's up a rocky slope or through the mud) you don't want to start fooling around with opening the back of the rig, digging out the winch, and mounting it, just as you say, so I will probably install it pre-run.

 

[woody]

there is a company out there that made a double-receiver front setup, specifically for winching.....bit late for that idea now, but your fab guy might consider that with a custom winch cradle to match.....gives you more options, and a stronger mounting setup....

 

[Aggie]

Good to know about the pull direction. This is mounted to the frame in a location below and to the side as well, so it should be a bit better, but I see your point.
As far as sticking the receiver in the midwest gunk, it might be a good idea to put the winch on at the beginning of a trail, leaving it off only while it is my daily driver. I'll have to see how it goes. Usually if you are in a situation where you need a winch (whether it's up a rocky slope or through the mud) you don't want to start fooling around with opening the back of the rig, digging out the winch, and mounting it, just as you say, so I will probably install it pre-run.

Then you screw your approach angle. Just mount the winch in the bumper and always wheel with a couple of buddys who can jerk you out.

 

[tibaal89]

Yea, I dunno how I feel about the pre-run winch install either... totally wrecks your angle, and leaves the winch completely exposed.

Is the rear of the channel that is the hitch open (i.e. not plated off in some way)? If it is and the hitch is full of mud, seems like you'd just push the mud through when trying to install the winch and it would be OK.

No matter what (hitch winch or normal), you're gonna get trashed in the mud... gotta feed the cable, some people have to install the winch controller up front, etc etc. So the act of having to get out of the truck and install it really doesn't change anything IMO.

The point about the pulling direction and the strength of the hitch is a good one... maybe the solution there is to fab up a really beefy receiver rather than using a typical trailer one.

 

[boss73]

Look good dude!! You have me thinking about the receiver in the front for a winch... I like the weight saving idea..

 

[joebob2586]

the bumper looks pretty good, it would be nice if the bumper had hoops over the lights and an actual winch plate instead of the reciever. I have been looking for a tube bumper for my FJ for some time, but cant find one that I'm completely happy with, Ive been trying to find one with a stinger on it...anyone seen a bumper like this?

 

[NCFJ]

I built the bumper for Bill and also have one on my rig. I used the winch at Harlan several times this weekend and had absolutely no problem whatsoever using the multi mount in the 2" receiver. Not all straight pulls either. A 2 1/2" square tube with 1/4" thickness when well braced is one strong mount for a winch no matter what direction you are pulling on it. I also used the winch on the multi mount in the rear to pull two other rigs up over an obsticle.

I think old developed habits are hard for many to break. But that does not mean that other ways of accomplishing the same task are not good ones.

 

[DominicG]

Hi AGGIE!

HOW YA DOIN AGGIE!?

WHATS GOING ON AGGIE?

YA MISS ME AGGIE?

 

[MarcoPolo]

Very nice lines on the bumper.

It has that cosmetic look to it though. I don't think I'd rely on those rings hangin low for too much strength.

Still, nice lookin and it'll probably do what it's suppose to.

 

[tibaal89]

I don't think I'd rely on those rings hangin low for too much strength.

I think what you're talking about there are the factory tow hooks... along with the one in the rear, they're the best recovery points on the vehicle. Got nothing to do with the bumper...