Badfish740

After removing the lower valance, skid plate, etc...here's what my Yota looks like:



Since I want to run the biggest tires and the smallest lift possible (BJ spacers in front with a 1" BL) I'm definitely going to have to trim, but instead of cutting the front bumper I'd rather remove it completely along with the sheet metal behind it below the headlights and just add a very simple bumper only as wide as the grill. I've seen old flat fender heeps and FJ-40s with bumpers similar to this that look pretty good. They're also simple and cheap to make. The one fancy add-on I'd like to do is integrate the stock turn signals into it. My BIL has access to a milling machine so I'm sure he could do it for me if I sourced a piece of C-channel and gave him the specs. Here's a crude drawing (I used MS Paint-try not to laugh too hard) I did to represent what I'm thinking:



I'd use the threaded holes in the crossmember to mount it to the frame. Another idea I had was to have a 2" receiver welded in the center-that way I could use a receiver mounted winch that could be used front and rear, or I could just plug a recovery ring into it. Anybody have pics of a similar bumper they've made?

snobdds

Just not working for me, trading one problem for another. Just get a tube bumper from Scotty or Trailgear, all problems solved.

Badfish740

What do you mean? I looked over the trailgear website-not really interested in a big honkin tube bumper. Plus I should be able to get this done for under a $100 vs. a $400-500 tube bumper plus shipping.

snobdds

Why would you want a gap under the headlight to allow the first thing you nudge be your head light/side marker? You take away all functionality of a bumper there...?

BoredOutnJackdUp

Just get like a piece of 2x3 tubing. and tuck it up close to the grill. you can make it that wide without it making any impact on rubbing tires? i just feel its making you too open to damage.

BoredOutnJackdUp

Are you talking about doing what Rogueyota did for awhile?

Stuwy123

iTrader: (1)

If the first thing that touches your truck is below the headlights, you're taking the wrong line.
Plus, if you do hit something there, that's your rad support. Bend that and say goodbye radiator, fan and coolant.
Even a simple piece of 2x4 tubing would offer enough protection.


I've had someone hit-and-run my truck and destroyed my smitty-built style tube bumper. If I didn't have the bumper, I would be out of a truck instead of just a tube bumper and a $40 stock replacement.

yotarover

here's mine. base is 6x6 x 1/2" angle iron top is 3x3 1/4" angle iron . uses the factory mounts, gotta finish it but it works just fine right now.

Badfish740

That's exactly what I was thinking-thanks for posting. It looks like he hacked the stock bumper to make it work-I'd be doing something similar, but with a piece of steel C-channel that would protect the lower rad support. I'd also get rid of the sheet metal below the lights-it really serves no purpose that I can tell:



As you can see here the lower rad support is no wider than the grill, so if the bumper is slightly wider it will protect it just fine.

Agreed-I don't do a lot of hardcore wheeling either-and of that very little if any rocks. I do cut firewood along skidder trails in the woods which is why I want the big tires. Logging slash, deep ruts, and small stream crossings are all things you have to deal with when cutting in those areas. If I bash my headlight into something it's because I did something I shouldn't have

How much body lift is on that truck and what size tires?

yotarover

2" with 33x12.50's. their solid high grade alum with 9/16th aircraft grade bolts in the center. no lift i'll just rock the 2" and trim the fenders when i go bigger.

Badfish740

Nice rig! Here's a sketch of what I'm thinking:



The bumper would be 2" x 4" 3/16 wall channel with cut outs for the turn signals and a 2" receiver in the middle. The mounts would be 1" x 2" flat bar welded to the back side of the channel. On the back side of those would be 3" x 1/4" flat bar which would bolt to the crossmember. 1" holes would be bored in the flat bar for use as recovery points. I don't know if the dimensions will quite work out-I need to get the stock bumper off and take some measurements, but that's the basic idea. I'd probably mount some floods on the top of the bumper like RougeYota also, plus cap the ends for a cleaner look. As long as I can find most of the steel at the wrecking yard it should cost me next to nothing-they only charge a slight markup over scrap price. I think I have an old 2" hitch laying around here somewhere...The machining and welding will only cost a case of Yeungling Bock Beer now that its out

jiffylubej42

I don't have any input on the bumper just a question? Does KISS mean
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid
Sorry not trying to get off topic or be insulting just hear that alot. >

Badfish740

No worries-yep, that's it. It's a philosophy I always try to stick to when it comes to modding a vehicle. With this bumper there's no tubing to bend, angles to cut, etc...just some some cutting, drilling, and welding.

yotarover

i like the sketch , here's on i drew up but never tried.

RogueYota

Saw my truck on google in this thread and was like "whhhaaaaatt?" lol Long time ago that was lol I trimmed the metal under the lights after that.

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

Dunno if the OP ever got the bumper he wanted - but for anyone still lookin, look up Extreme 4x4's Toyota Mini project and you'll see a small FJ40-esque bumper that's basically just a winch cradle with wings and is only as wide as the grille. I based my RC crawler on that rig