custom bumper?

[dunl]

Well, just had my 93 Grand Cherokee backed into in the lot of the local video store. Bumper is cracked, so I'm looking at options here.


Anyone do custom bumper work? Fab a new back bumper for how much $$$

Thanks,
Dunl

[SwampSinger]

take a look at this...

http://calgaryjeep.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2168

Cheers,

[cablesmurf]

I'm going to talk to Clay about some bumper too...Maybe we can get a better rate if they build a couple.

Here are the ones I'm looking at:





Let me know...

Dan

[dunl]

Those look really nice, but I was looking at taking the money for fixing the bumper to pay for a fabbed one - but I'm thinking those would be waayyy out of my league right now.  

[cablesmurf]

I can build you one out of 2x4's if you like.

[dunl]

LMAO.  :lol:

Seriously?  2x4's and a little bit of rhino liner?  Sound good?  :lol:

[kevman]

I'm also in the process of figuring out a new front bumper for my ZJ.  Except I'm looking for something a little lighter in the terms of a tube bumper similar to Wheel's bumper for his Toy.  I want to cut out the factory cross member and slam a winch right against the rad to build a bumper that preserves the factory approach angle.  I would defiantly be interested in getting a batch of them done if we can all come to terms on the design.

edit: Something like this.  Minus the skid plate and add some tow hook mounts.  I like the fact that the outer edges are also braced to the frame rails.  

[kevman]

Those look really nice, but I was looking at taking the money for fixing the bumper to pay for a fabbed one - but I'm thinking those would be waayyy out of my league right now.  

Have you checked the price of a replacement factory bumper?  It's alot cheaper to get a custom one fabbed up.

[dunl]

Haven't checked yet.  All I know is that the front cover itself cost $402 last time it was done (that one WAS my fault...).

[cablesmurf]

I'm also in the process of figuring out a new front bumper for my ZJ.  Except I'm looking for something a little lighter in the terms of a tube bumper similar to Wheel's bumper for his Toy.  I want to cut out the factory cross member and slam a winch right against the rad to build a bumper that preserves the factory approach angle.  I would defiantly be interested in getting a batch of them done if we can all come to terms on the design.

edit: Something like this.  Minus the skid plate and add some tow hook mounts.  I like the fact that the outer edges are also braced to the frame rails.  

Kinda like these ones from protofab, huh?

Front:



Rear:

[kevman]

Kinda....except the protofab ones put the winch in front of the grill leading to a poor approach angle.  I want to cut out my factory cross member and throw the winch in there.  I like the look of the protofab ones (from the front) but to me they seem pretty useless when you see a side shot and notice they stick out an entire foot more than a factory bumper.

[kevman]

Something like this...





Except I also want to add supports from the outer wings to the compression plate needed for the main frame mount.  As well I want to add a small tube "skid plate" to offer some protection for the radiator.  This will also bolt into the main support through the lower part of the frame rail.  The entire bumper sits about 10" off the radiator which is about 2" less than the bumperettes stick out of the stock bumper.  Instead of shakle mounts I'm going to have a location to bolt on tow hooks on both "frame extensions" (I much prefer standard tow hooks for quick tugs and safety).  Finally there is enough room for a 26"x7"x8" winch in there (Warn XP9000, Tabor 9k, Ramsey Patriot Profile 9500, etc...pretty much any slim line winch)

Thoughts???  Most of the dimensions in the drawing are pretty rough right now.  I'm going to take some real measurements and clean it up when I have time.

[dunl]

Looks like I'll be getting $1077.74 back, minus 20% - does that sound correct for a cash settlement?

Never did one of these before.....Thx.

[kevman]

Don't know about settlements but $1000 certainly aint bad for a cracked bumper.

Here is what I was talking about with the side bar reinforcement and "skid plate" sandwich plates.  Because nothing in life is perfect I plan to leave a larger gap inbetween the inner frame rails and the sandwich plates I can than use "washers" cut out of a thin gauge sheet metal to shim it all up on the outside.  Oviously since the clamping forces is a big part of the structural integrity instead of the bolts themselves I'd like to use a full size washer that matches the sandwich plate.  The bottom pic shows a mocked up winch sized to Warns spec's on their XP9000.

Comments...

I'm debating on a small stinger bar/light bar, which would be mostly for aesthetics.  As well I might try to fix the stock bumperettes onto the flat section incase I ever drive into a parkade wall or something at slow speeds








And a close up of the mounting/sandwich plates.  There will oviously be bolts welded on the inside...

[cablesmurf]

Looks like I'll be getting $1077.74 back, minus 20% - does that sound correct for a cash settlement?

Never did one of these before.....Thx.

Well, since I can't afford to get in on it right now, National has a sale on "in stock" ARB bumpers right now. $859 and I know they have a ZJ bumper there right now.

Good luck.

Dan