Custom front bumper design?

[Idahodmax]

Ok well I work at a metal fab shop, I got all the resources for cutting and welding and grinding the welds, just missing one major part for custom design, the artistic abilities to come up with something that matches and looks good. Just curious if anyone has ever done a project like this? I can read prints and follow directions quite well. But just the imagining what something will look like before it's done is hard.

If anyone would be willing to give me some guidance I'd sure appreciate the help/input. I was hoping to get something like the road armor or iron cross design with square cut outs for leds and a light bar mounted on top.

 

[Budneeds2beers]

Check out move bumpers. I just got one and its a diy kit. What im getting at is they show you it in pieces and have a gallery of finnished product. If you have the tooling its not to hard just time consuming. Youtube also has bumper builds that explain the steps so its super easy to copy. Also do an google image search for ideas/add-ons. Its how i came up with having my winch and light bar combo tucked so it doesn't hang to low and give a crappy approach angle. GLW the build keep us posted and show pictures. so many bright minds on here we would all be willing to support with ideas and frustrations of the build! Cheers.

 

[TheBac]

Moved to Appearance and Detail

 

[Idahodmax]

Well I have looked into the weld it yourself bumper packages, just can't bring myself to paying 500+ for the metal when I can pay under 20 here at work. And I've watched a few youtube videos none of which were very insightful.

And sorry for posting in the incorrect forum, just assumed it's kind of a diy project it would go there

 

[MaxSmoke]

Look up http://www.gravestruckgear.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html. I really like the style they have. almost look like a factory bumper but with a lot more protection. the rear bumper they have with the storage compartments is way cool!!!

 

[Budneeds2beers]

I know what your saying about diy cost. For me i dont have access to some of the machinery these days so i couldnt form some of the plate, and with a 6month old finding that amount of free time would be hard. I also wasnt paying 1800-2500 bucks! If you do have the time and access to a full shop you could always cut cardboard templates and tape. To me thats alot of time, but you get exactly what you want. Like i said thoe to speed the process up i would find a bumper you like and copy that. I only mentioned the diy kit as a reference because they show it in pieces and it makes it easier to copy. I also know what you're saying about YouTube. The videos arent great but they are there for small amounts of help.

 

[Idahodmax]

Ya, it's nice having access to all the machines and welders. My main concern is time as well.. hunting season is about rapped up and I got a 10mo and twins on their way.. momma isn't happy when I'm gone for to long

 

[frankenstien]

here is a link to my bumper build thread....http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67311

the biggest factor for building a custom bumper is time, measuring everything, and there is some creative thought into it as well. i googled and googled bumper pics and found a few ideas i liked, and kind of combined them, and even then, i started on plan A and ended on plan Q38, so don't be discouraged if you keep changing it up.

id say there is about 80ish man hours in my front bumper, between me and a guy i work with who helped me weld it and learn how to weld, i my self have about 40-50 hours into the rear bumper and spare tire carrier. there is a ton of on and off the truck time, seeing how it fits, looks, centered etc.

 

[Budneeds2beers]

Well hey Idahodmax. I did just buy the move bumper and it just showed up the other day. I can give you pics and stuff from that if it helps. (My dad is bugging me to rip the box open so he can look at it) its for 03-07 i think. its the winch bumper and im going to add a 32" light bar on tabs. Let me know and ill lend a hand.

 

[WVRigrat05]

We built the one for my LLY in a 12 hour day. It hit guardrails, road banks, couple gates and a mustang through a garage. Biggest thing is have a plan, make templates and adjust as needed then, cut your steel once and weld'er up.

 

[Budneeds2beers]

X2 on that

 

[Idahodmax]

Budneeds2beers, if you wouldn't mind some pics and measurements, that angels and bends have me nervous, the lmm front end is a nightmare to try and get any straight lines on

 

[JoshH]

We built the one for my LLY in a 12 hour day. It hit guardrails, road banks, couple gates and a mustang through a garage. Biggest thing is have a plan, make templates and adjust as needed then, cut your steel once and weld'er up.

Maybe you should try the drivermod... :joker:

 

[WVRigrat05]

Maybe you should try the drivermod... :joker:

Wasn't the driver, it was his mindset for the mustang, and society and a bad childhood for the others, haha.

 

[Budneeds2beers]

Yeah let me get back into Southern California and ill rip the box open and ill get you pictures somehow.

 

[Budneeds2beers]

. Here is a pic of the bumper i built i have more if you need


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Idahodmax]

Looking good

 

[Budneeds2beers]

Thanks man it came out good. The directions from the company suck. Some or the bent plate have fissures from being formed so i had to weld those and shape them back. How they tell you to build it is wrong imo. If i did another one i would make a jig like form. It warps quite a bit. I did multiple 1" stitch welds but still. How the design is you cant clamp it down. But the positive thing is its done and im only into it $665 with lights paint and a set of tabs! Sill have some money left over for a winch and bracing.