So, i'm looking to make my own bumper w/ winch plate for my senior project.
I'm a pretty good welder as it is, so that's not a problem.
I need ideas for bumpers, though.
I don't like tube bumpers at all, so keep it at plate bumpers.
Can anybody hook me up with some pictures of custom bumpers, or anything like the ARB bumpers. I need to see how they mount to the frame, if possible...

 

You could go with a pre-made winch mount like from Trail Queer I mean Trail Gear and build off of that some how...

 

I was considering that, but i'd rather build my own.

 

Heres a picture of how an ARB bumper is mounted. This pic is of my 85 but the mounting points are the same for all 1st gen 4runners or 2nd gen trucks.

 

I made this one out of 1/4" steel the winch plate is bolted up through the bottom in 4 places with 8 mounting points(It is not store bought I got the idea from JAMES DEAN check here and scroll down to JDC FRONT BUMPER MODS AND 2" RECEIVER) then ran 1" round tubing like a tube bumper from both sides(side support) to the lower side factory mounts most tube bumpers use as a mounting point and 4 more bolt up points so there are 14 total.

http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/4Runner_project.htm

I built mine but used his idea for a way to incorporate the winch plate/mount and then went from there to get the look I was trying to get,it weighs like 250 lbs so if your worried about weight in the front you may want to go with a thinner steel for less weight.

I know my receiver is off center but I made it that way to stay more in line with the winch so it looked more centered to it then the truck itself.

 

Mine built off a T-G winch plate (which I think is an awesome way to go):




here are some thread with pic ideas;
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthrea...ht=bumper+pics
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthrea...=bumper+thread


too bad Bent Up and Off Road Solutions got killed by the economy, those shops came up with some cool stuff

--edit again: sorry just notice the thing about hating tube bumpers and want to go with plate
so here are some pics of the ARB on my old tacoma:








good luck, curious to see what you end up with...the trail gear plate as a base would be a good place to start...

 

Cool. Thanks guys.
And, i'd buy the TG winch plate if it wasnt 200 + shipping (well over 100 i'm sure)

 

Btt, still lookin for ideas >.>
all i can find are tube bumpers.
I'm lookin for Simple but strong.