I may have lost my mind, but I'm considering fabricating my own custom front bumper for my truck. I don't really have much experince in welding, but I have a great sense for engineering and design (I was an art major but I just switched to Psychology) and think I could come up with something pretty awesome and do it for way cheaper than if I just ordered some boring from a 4x4 shop.

Does anyone have any tips for me if I go through with this?

My father has all the welding equipment already and knows enough that he thinks we could pull it off. I'd probably design a mock up of the whole setup in carboard first just to get the fit and everything perfect before I start cutting peices and welding them together. I'm going to make a mounting point for a universal aftermarket winch, and holes to use my factory fog lights on the new bumper. If things go well I might even get some tube piping and weld on a grill guard if I can make it look nice.

Whatcha think?

 

Without a tube bender, the cleanest bumpers that I like are the Aussie style flat panel, angled and faceted ones. All they take is a lot of careful measuring, good mockups, a torch/plasma cutter and welder. I personally don't like the look of square tube cut at angles and welded up for a front bumper.

 

crawler#976 - great sig! LOL

 

Yeah, I'm going to go with a pretty flat design for the bumper itself, and I doubt I'll mess with a grill guard because the tube would be too much to deal with.

If I go throught with it I'll be sure to post pictures and whatnot.