KrashDH

So I am in the stage of designing a bumper for my truck. I would really like to put a tube bumper on, but have been reading all this BS about them not being DOT approved. What exactly are the constraints? I plan on putting on turn signals and plenty of side protection and only a small stinger...

My truck is a daily driver as well, so I don't need any extra hassle from the fuzz...I'm in Montana and the laws are pretty lenient here just seeing what you guys think...

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

i believe they need to be atleast 4 inches tall but try to google it...

KrashDH

I did read that but does the 4" mean the width between main tubes? I will have an upper and lower tube which will house aluminum plating ( I think) that will definitely be that wide.

In other words that 4" has to represent that plastic cover on our bumpers?

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

you might want to also look into required maximum distance from bottom of bumper to the ground.
I believe it oregon it is 27" theory is to prevent a car from sliding under a truck or something like that..

that being said I have had assorted tube/steel bumpers on my different trucks over the last 20 years with out any issues...knock on wood...

BigBluePile

iTrader: (3)

x2. Indeed, they're pretty strict up here in WA about bumper heights. I was pulled over and the State Patrol told me that they specifically look for rigs and pull them over.

KrashDH

Ya I will make sure that it's at the required height off the ground if there even is that rule here.

Question off topic..anyone here who has tube bumpers, I'm looking to use a bolt on application...if I don't have to venture far from the stock holes I won't....what have you guys used for the mounting? Any pictures would be greatly appreciated. I plan on crawling under there tomorrow but any head starts would be awesome! I'm gonna jump on SolidWorks tomorrow and start my design.

camo31_10.50

uhm..where can i get some of these programs that ya'll design these bumpers????

like solidworks??? i think that'd be the shiz to have that on my comp to play with..that'd keep me entertained for months..lmao

90RunnerRed

CAD programs like solidworks, NX, PROE or the like run anywhere from like $1K per seat up to like $10K per seat from what I've heard. (That's one of the perks of using them for your job everyday, after hours = free!) Back when I was a student I could buy the Solidworks Student Version for like $150 I think.

camo31_10.50

well well well..just so happens the company my dad works for uses Solidworks daily...

he's gonna take my laptop and see if he can get it installed on here..we dont know how its gonna turn out..but he's gonna try..LOL

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Some info below:
- http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/Cars/Proble...per/Index.html

Sounds like mainly is is the impact absorbing features that are of a concern. I would suspect most of the tube type bumpers would pass the tests, but what mfg. is going to put up the funds to test each model bumper on every type of vehicle it it would fit and run all the tests. I think the height limits seem to vary state by state, so peruse your state's vehicle code for that information.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

one other thing I just remembered: there was a post (couldn't find the thread) about Trail-Gear's bumpers not being legal due to the design of the stinger braces blocking part of the headlights. Something to take into consideration when you do yours...
image from Trail-gears website;

KrashDH

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah I think I'm going to go ahead with it because I don't think here in MT it's that big of a deal. I was hoping this thread would stay in the 95-2004 section because now I have a couple of specific questions but I can start a new thread.

James Dean

Your state should have a website that gives all of the statues, I know AZ does. Most of the time though if it looks sturdy, stout and well built they don't mess with you.

James Dean

Found it. Under section 4 Misc. Does give much description like some states.

http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca_toc/61_9.htm

Duckie

a quick google came up with this thread from a Toy FJ forum.

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...ate-state.html

Its from 2007, but I can't imagine much has chaged.