Designing a new front bumper

[adpsimpson]

Saturday's job, if it's not sleeting all day, will be taking the front bumper off, firing up Solidedge CAD and drawing something to replace it. I've access to a water cutter, so it'll be made of sheet steel. We're not planning on putting a winch in it, but I'd like to leave space in case we ever change our minds. It will need jack and tow points, should be strong enough to take a bit of abuse but I don't want something too heavy - weight is fuel.

We'll be packing a hand winch, but don't want the weight/expense of an electric one which we may never use.

This is one of the nicest I've seen so far: http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...inch%20Bumper/

Has anyone designed their own? Anyone got any drawings?

I was thinking 6mm plate for the structural parts and 3mm for the surfaces. Does that sound about right?

Finally could someone give me the dimensions of a standard-ish winch? Say a WARN one, how big should the mounting area be?

Once I get somewhere it I'll put the designs up for anyone to download and play with.

[Nick V]

Have a look at this thread http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=60681 and this bumper which may give youy another idea http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Elite-toyota-h...tem2eaa819283d

I agree with you that it's nice to have that sort of bumper but with no winch, but the mainstram ones are just a rip off,

Cheers, Nick

[adpsimpson]

Yup, I'd seen that one too. Think it's by the same guy as the one I linked to? I like it, but think it would look naked without the winch on it. It's very much a "got winch, will use winch" style.

[4 Runner]

That’s my front bumper it is a one of made by a mate of mine who is in to land rovers but I talked him in to making it for me

[BUSHWHACKER]

That’s my front bumper it is a one of made by a mate of mine who is in to land rovers but I talked him in to making it for me

I've seen that one 'in the flesh' and it's very smart!

Has he still got patterns to make more Pete?

[4 Runner]

When we built it we did not make any patterns it was just eyeballed it

[BUSHWHACKER]

When we built it we did not make any patterns it was just eyeballed it

Shame.
I would expect to pay at least £350 for a bumper like that, very neat and tidy design much better than the 3rd gen one in the Ebay link above.

[adpsimpson]

Thanks for the pics, that one looks particularly nice. Must have been a whole lot more skilled than me to make that by eyballing it - mine would end up looking like that "monster truck" on ebay with a farmer's gate on the front from a while back if I tried that.

Any answers on the other two questions; Is 6mm/3mm steel appropriate, and does someone have rough dimensions of a winch mounting handy?

[yoshie]

Shame.
I would expect to pay at least £350 for a bumper like that, very neat and tidy design much better than the 3rd gen one in the Ebay link above.

Well do nothing rash I will knock that out at 250

[johnd]

Well do nothing rash I will knock that out at 250

then get cutting

and dont forget the welding bit or just flat pack it and i will weld it up at my end


john

[yoshie]

then get cutting

and dont forget the welding bit or just flat pack it and i will weld it up at my end


john

Ok mate, I have a 3rd gen here to check fit. Will make a start on it next weekend as I am out playing in the mud this weekend.

You want it to take a winch, or not?

[johnd]

Ok mate, I have a 3rd gen here to check fit. Will make a start on it next weekend as I am out playing in the mud this weekend.

You want it to take a winch, or not?

remember mine is a second gen .

room for a winch would be nice , and some good recovery points

let me know.
john

[adpsimpson]

SInce this is my thread... Yoshie, what thickness of sheet do you use for yours? Looking at the original, 3mm might be overkill, was thinking of 2mm for all skins etc now. What do you think?

[jotto]

My warn bumper is 6mm, If it were me I would go with 4 or 5mm.

[yoshie]

First off, Andy sorry for jumping in mate, me bad .

I find 5mm is heavy enough for winch plates base and front, sides and rest of bumpers are solid if made for 3mm.



I have access to a second gen as well John will see what I can do for you.
No obligations mate I want to make a few different versions front and rear for the Surfs however, you can have first shout on it if you like the look of the finished item. {site donation would follow as per}