ssbogger

I was just wondering if anyone has taken it upon themselves to weld up a bumper similar to the ARB or TJM for their rig. Im taking a welding class this semester and we have to do a BIG final project. I cant think of a better idea than this to do.
Im thinking of incorperating a skid plate into it as well. If anyone can provide any information related to this idea (mounting locations, dimensions, cost of materials, ect...) I would greatly appreciate it.
Also if anyone has any links to offroad bumper companies besides ARB and TJM I would like to get some more ideas for the basic design.

Thanks all!

rimpainter.com

Check out schaefer's site (if its still listed). He goes through what it took to make his...

loosehead

Here's a couple that I know of...

http://www.bentup.com/Index2.htm

http://www.demello-offroad.com/

http://www.allprooffroad.com/bumper.html

You could also cruise around some on the TTORA board, as a lot of Taco owners have custom bumpers. In fact, most of the ones you'll see in those links are on tacos...but it will give you an idea. The only other one I can think of is the member Zedex has made some, and he has some pics on his webshots site.

Hope this helps.

ssbogger

I like this one.

Not too complicated. http://www.bentup.com/Photos/bumper10.jpg

Breezey

Bentup bumpers are strong too... I love mine, in fact I sold it to build a new one

zedex

You can take a look at these.

http://community.webshots.com/user/zedex1100

There are a few designs there. The New bumper is a little more complicated but you get the idea. If ya need some help give me a jingle.

loosehead

Zedex, are you using 10-ga. for your bumpers? Thats not quite 1/8" correct?

Breezey, do you know what the Bent-Up bumpers are made of?

TIA!

cubuff4runner

Here is my bar that I just built and skid plates for my vehicle. The link to the website shows how I mounted it to the frame also







Front Bar

Jeff

loosehead

Jeff-

I really like what you have done with your front and rear bars. I saw them a while back and have book-marked your site. Right now, I am torn between doing what you did in armoring yours, or just getting or making new bumpers all together...so I will be researching and sorting out all of the pieces for then next couple of months...

cubuff4runner

It took me a while to decide between a whole new bumper or bar style protection. I think the bumpers look a little tougher, but the wife had other ideas. The bars help keep it's nice factory appearance, but with almost the same protection as the huge bumpers. I also figured that I didn't spend a lot of money to purchase a 3rd gen and convert it into a boxie vehicle. I could have bought an older model vehicle if I wanted to do this. (No offense to you guys with ARB & TJM, they still look great.)

zedex

yup Loosehead.10 guage and its about 1/8th. The winch opening is laminated with an extra 1/4 inch plate.

ssbogger

I justfound this bumper, http://www.bpifab.com/bumper/tacoma.htm

I like the way it doesnt stick out as far as all the other ones ive seen. Does anyone have any info on these people?

zedex

It doesnt stick out as much because you cant mount a winch later on down the road. Click on their winch mountable ones and you see why. That thing is bloody huge .
When you incorporate a winch into a bumper you have to accomodate a winch which changes everything. Looks like nice clean work though.

customcruiser

i wish i would have taken that class when i was up there

i would also make it so you can add a winch, find somebody to draw it in cadd up there, you could also make some sliders or a roof rack and hold off on the bumper until you get a design you like since building a bumper is gonna be a lot of work but good luck

ssbogger

I can go ahead and say i wont be adding a winch to this vehicle. I dont plan on getting my vehicle into anything hairy enough to need a winch, if i do hopefully ill be with someone who had one. I know they are great and everything but I will buy a different, older, rig if i feel the need to offroad with a winch.

Custom- I got really lucky, this is the last semester they are offering it and they opened up another session of it so a buddy and i got to squeez in.

customcruiser

bastard