opinions about front bumpers

[Aravind Dileepan]

I've been searching through pictures of different style bumpers for our 60 series and it seems that few, if any, offer protection that hugs close to the forward ends of the fenders.

I know there are rear bumpers that run down to offer rear quarter panel protection, is it just that it's not possible to protect the fender there without killing approach angle?

Thanks,

Ara

 

[Output Shaft]

ARB side rails

 

[Aravind Dileepan]

That's great but I really meant the lower front end of the fender, like here, where I've circled. Is my concern about protecting that portion of the fender misplaced?

 

[Output Shaft]

Maybe something more like an exo cage

 

[DoubleNickels]

I know what you're talking about. Not an exo cage as much as some simple extensions of the stock bumper caps. A vendor here on mud was selling some Euro versions of the front caps that were extended in that fashion... I'll see if I can dig up a pic.

Regardless, I've never seen a custom front bumper with such end caps. And not sure if you really "need" them, but I sure like the look.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I know what you mean, I have a 4+ bumper and it too seems to be short in the front fender corner
protection. I think it's because of the difficulty making tight tolerance clearances generically. I've cut little
bits of cardboard template to build mine up a bit, just haven't gotten around to it.
My impression is the ARB with the full front cage offers the best front corner protection, but I
can't be sure. Good idea posting a thread, be nice to see what others offer up for front bumpers.

 

[TLC Norway]

Mine is just a finger away from the body, and I like it like that. It's an old warn bumper for a hilux, that I widened and pulled enough back for protection.
See my thread for photos of the bumper

 

[Aravind Dileepan]

@TLC Norway, yes, you're on it. This picture you uploaded is exactly what I'm talking about. This is the first bumper I've seen on a 60 series that offers that protection.

I think with other cars, especially later ones, the stock bumper came around under the fender, so the aftermarket bumpers offered that protection (see the ARB for the 80 series for example). But with the 60, the bumper sits out in front and doesn't integrate with the fender at all, so you have to fab up some solution that has compromises, like approach angle or covering the blinker.

I have a 60 front clip with nonfunctional headlight washers, so maybe I could get something that comes in close. But it looks like if I want it, I'm going to have it fabbed. Problem is that I'm not a metal worker so I'd have to pay someone.

 

[TLC Norway]

Yeah, i get your point. This way I was able to still have the front turn signals visible, and protect the body. If I want to remove the bumper, everything is still stock underneath.

 

[Aravind Dileepan]

I like what you've done with yours. It seems less bulky than the ARB. I'd like to have a brush guard, maybe even a bit of a stinger, like HFS, to help protect against brush and animals on the highway, but I really want that wing protection and no one seems to offer it.

Well, I'll keep these pictures of yours in my file. Thanks.

 

[lcwizard]

I think the biggest reason for the length of the wings is trail clearance. At a full lock turn the bumper clears an obstacle before the fender
when it's shorter than the full width. The wider the bumper , the wider your effective turning circle . Ours is actually a compromise. For best maneuverability it could be shorter. This 55 bumper I had was set up so ,at full lock, you could clear a flat wall with the sheet metal by about 1/2" just as the corner or the bumper touched