I haven't had a chance. I am going to wait until I can afford the DS before I start, so that once it is done, it's done.

 

I finally got started on my front bumper

I've been working on it after work, so it's usually just an hour or two at a time. I also don't have many "in progress" pictures because I don't carry my camera around all the time. Anyways, I'm exicited how it's turning out out! There is still alot more to be done, but I have a good head start. I'm planning on bending tube this weekend, so we will see how long that takes (it always takes longer than you think).

You have to start somewhere, right? We had some 1/4" plate at the shop that was going to get tossed last summer, I held on to it since it seemed like it could be usefull. It has a little surface rust, but is in great shape. I made some measurements and got work.

I used a sawzall to make all the cuts, it's a LOT cleaner looking and requires minimal clean up (unlike a torch). I added the extra holes for air flow to the radiator, and because they look cool.

 

That's the most important part...

 

Fast forward a few days and here we are! Most of the plate work is done, I just need to get to work on bending up the rest of the bumper.

I added some extra holes to the fairlead mount, since it matches the the lower section and wheel stiffener's. I also angled everything to give it a more agressive look. Overall I'm very happy how it turned out.

 

I wanted to "blend" the tubing and plate together, and brace the center section of the winch mount. I used a piece of one of my old tie rods (1 1/8" OD, 1/4" wall) it's super strong and a shackle fits around it. I also added an extra pie cut gusset for more stregth.

 

Then I bolted it up to the truck (along with the winch) to double check any clearance issue's.









I also set a short section of tubing on the bumper to picture how it was all going to look, once it was done.

 

i marvel at your fabbing skill... beautiful welds

 

Doesn't look beefy enough for you truck, go ahead and scrap it. I'll be by in the morning to take it off of your hands

Looks sick, basically the same idea I've had in my head for a couple of years now. I just need to start it.

I also was going to weld in some angle to the top of the spring hanger (under the radiator support),drill several holes, weld some nuts to the back, and drill the winch plate to have more holes than the factory 6 or 8 (depends on the year). That way you are pulling at more of an area than just the factory holes.

 

Dirtco,
Your skills never cease to amaze me,(and I'm awesome)
keep up the good work.

 

That bitch looks solid. Good work!

 

I like your idea of adding more bolts than factory, it seems like it would make it alot stronger. I would add FROR's front crossmember brace, along with the upper bolt section. My stock front bumper had some brackets added for a tow bar or somthing like that. The front of the crossmember was mushroomed out from the nut inserts inside trying to rip out of it.

In addition to the stock bolts, I will also be welding it on and adding sections of tubing that run to the shock hoops. I really like to have the bumper attached on at least two differant planes.

 

Thank's guys, I really appreciate the kind words!

 

I finished the front bumper this weekend! It took all weekend but it was worth the effort, I'm really happy how it turned out! It's not exactly the way I pictured it would be, but that's normal. I usually change things around a little in the process of building it.

I started by bending up the main tube for the bumper





Then the prerunner hoop and supports

 

I then bent up the "eyebrow" headlight protectors, pulled the whole thing off and welded everything up. I also got the winch and fairlead bolted up.







Next up was getting the holes drilled for the supports to the shock hoops.





Lower support and shock hoop support

 

Done!

 

I showed the pics to my wife and she says it looks like your 4runner just got a set of old school eye glasses from the 70's. I really like the look and am thinking of doing something similar to my 96. Also, do you have a pic of the side profile?

 

DDDUUUDDEE that is SICK!.. i love the headlight hoops. gives me ideas, i may just have to build my own front instead of buyin one. once again, awesome build man

 

Stunning... as always. I have been subscribed since the rear bumper build.
Awesome work I wish I had access to all the tools and the shop equipment you do

 

that front bumber is amazing.

 

wow...

ur gonna get quite the hype wheeling with all that customization. That is the coolest front bumper on this entire forum. Although swampthing does have the funniest midget pullup bar bumper.