I wasnt happy with the approach angle angle of my old winch bumper. It held up to everything i could throw at it and quite a few hard pulls, but now that Im getting into some harder wheling, how far it stuck out was getting to be a factor. So, heres the beginning stages of my front bumper build. The winch will be tucked under the radiator behind the front X member.

I started off with nates4x4.com front bumper brackets. 1/4" thick. I cut them so they were the same width all the way across. 4".


Got some 3/8" plate and used the bandsaw to cut out 4 d ring tabs. Used a 1" bi-metal hole saw to cut the holes. Theyre off center on purpose.


Cut the Brackets way down and welded the Tabs on with a Lincoln 220.



I then ground the tabs and the bracket flush, welded them, and smoothed it out so its all one hunk of metal. Got them mounted on the jeep and they stick out less then 3" from the front of the grill. Ill get pics tomorrow.

Doesnt look like much, but it its the base for the whole build. Stay tuned

 

To even more help support the shackle mount, I would drill a few holes in the 3/8th plate and plug weld them to the frame brackets. It will just help tie it all in together and stronger man. Good work so far

 

You have my attention lol

 

Will do, I thought about it but figured the welding should be enough. I'll drill some hole for some plug welds as well.

Here's the mounts as of now:

 

Make sure to take careful measurements and draw up a detailed plan. That way I can come up and we can duplicate it for me

 

You would have been happy with your first bumper had you stayed off Pirate.

 

GpXJ: Will do haha so far I have $100 dollars into it including brackets and all the metal. Once I get it finished just let me know and I can cut the tabs out on the bandsaw and we can make one up for ya

90XJkid: Good point...lol its an addiction. Seeing the fab work over there compared to on here is crazy. Ive never been happy with my first bumper though seeing as it was my first big project and I made it in a rush.

 

Got the front crossmember almost done. Still need to make the fair lead hole and bolt holes.

Winch is bolted to the back of it, and the 3 holes are to see the line as it spools on. I clocked the winch so it won't hit the steering box. Also bent up the top tube and stinger

 

I'm watching this one pretty closely. Looks like a great start. Keep it up man.

 

Crossmember done

 

Comin out nice. This is gonna be pretty beefy. What do you estimate the bumper weight to be once completed?

 

Close to 70lbs without winch is what im shooting for. The cross-member is 1/4" as well as the brackets. The tube is all 1.75" .120 wall. With just the front x-member and brackets im only at about 35-40lbs.

 

Got the front crossmember and the first tube welded up:

 

i get the feeling this is ganna look sick. and you have some great looking welds there

 

Thanks man! All the tubes bent up, I just need to notch it all and weld it up