Topic: 90 4Runner plate bumper

[Mudfanatic92]

I did this bumper probably 2 weeks ago for my senior project.  I think it turned out great.  so I decided to show my hard workmanship with you guys.

Here's my list of materials:

3/16'' 4'x4' piece of plate
1 1/2'' DOM tubing
2', 1 1/2'' square tubing
couple of scrap 1''X1'' angle iron


Here's the cardboard layout of the bumper.

The trace of the cardboard layout on the plate steel.

Using an angle finder to get the right angle for the corners.

Getting the plate cutout setup to tack together.

The wings tacked together.

Getting the bottom plate tacked together.

Some added support and also a good way to keep things from pulling too much.

I used some 7014 and 6010 Arc rod and it did the job fine, also here I'm finishinf up some welds.

The basic shape of the bumper.

The bumper almost done... needs alittle bit of paint.

Found the paint... 




All in all it took me 30+ hours to design and fab up.

[2slow4you]

I like the thought, but without the wings wrapping around to the fender line it looks kinda goofy.

[chim]

The fab work looks decent.. but the bumper itself is hideous! Sorry to be mean... but it looks like a boat bumper... or a cattle wrastler... or tractor weights!

[86rustbucket]

i'd like to see the "badass" bumpers these guys built in high school


good job man,  i wish i was into this when i was your age

[chim]

I never built a bumper in high school.. good try though

[2slow4you]

I respect the work with plate... that's why I stick with tube. Here is a bumper I had a hand in though, a very small one.

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

That bumper is pretty sick dude... And the reason why I built the bumper so big is because it is a bumper and If I hit something I want be able to BUMP back... Plus in gonna run a winch on top.

[2slow4you]

That bumper is pretty sick dude... And the reason why I built the bumper so big is because it is a bumper and If I hit something I want be able to BUMP back... Plus in gonna run a winch on top.

I'm curious as to what your going to be hitting...? head on with a train? lol just messin with ya.

[THK Matt]

Cody you should definately have it wrap around the sides a little.

Good job though.

[axled89]

it's only as strong as the frame you bolt it to any ways.    just my       nice build tho.

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

oh you mean like this?? 

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

It's still not totally done. I need to gusset the wraps alittle bit and cut them so they don't puncture a tire.

[THK Matt]

Ahhh there we go!

[86bobbedtoy]

jesus man, thats huge, please dont get mad at me!

awesome work.
I thought mine was huge.
my frame will give way before my bumper dents

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

Lol I take it as a compliment .

[2slow4you]

much better and i say leave the wings to cut the tires so you can go buy some real tires.

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

much better and i say leave the wings to cut the tires so you can go buy some real tires.

Well ya gotta remeber that im in high school and currently live off of moms salary. Otherwise I would love to buy new, taller and wider tires. But i did by myself an axle 2-3 weeks ago, well an axle housing... im currently looking for spindles, knuckles etc but no one seems to have any.... bummer...

[THK Matt]

you had an entire front end in my trailer for a week before i sold it back to my budy who bought the 4runner from me. but the spidles, knuckles, etc should be fairly easy to find.

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

Yea... i just couldnt get it at the time... that was my bad but yea...

[Snowtoy]

Fabricating something out of nothing isn't something one can simply just pick-up, most of us that build our own stuff that looks good the first time through have been making stuff since we were little or actually do metal fabrication for a living.  You made the same mistake that a lot of first timers w/little craftsmanship experience tend to do, i.e., over build.  With this being done as a Senior project, your instructor is the one who should have been helping you with the dimensions and aesthetics during the mock-up and tack together stage, had he, you would have avoided the oversized end result.  The main thing is that you tried to build something that most people wouldn't attempt to do, and w/more experience or guidence you will end up with better results.

If you run a tube down from the outer edge to the bumper-to-frame mount(providing you used the oem frame mounting points), should stiffen up the edges, and keep them from twisting/bending upon impact.  Also welding a strip to the edge along the sides will also stiffen them up and will resolve the knife edge problem.

[mudaddict]

I respect the work with plate... that's why I stick with tube. Here is a bumper I had a hand in though, a very small one.

that bumper looks familiar i just dont know where i have seen it before lol.

mudfanatic. its a good start for a bumper and good start to fabing up bumpers its not easy thats for sure, a couple things to think about for the next ones you make is making it so you dont compromise the approach angle to much to where the bumper will hurt you more then help you. i know you are wanting to put a winch on top but why did you choose ontop and not inside? the bumper that 2slow posted up actually was built around having a smittybuilt winch put inside of it the bumper actually sticks out less then the stock bumper did by 2 inches. how many spots is it bolted to and did you do anyhting to the frame for extra support?

[2slow4you]

LOL I think my hand was more of a finger but whatever. HAHA

His design had good intentions, but to create angles such as your Kurtis, it takes alot of time and trial and error (don't worry I won't tell a soul haha)

As much as i like things to please the eye, I would take an ugly stout bumper over a purdy flimsy bumper anyday. Learn from your mistakes and do it all over again.

Get a job and buy tires.

[mudaddict]

As much as i like things to please the eye, I would take an ugly stout bumper over a purdy flimsy bumper anyday. Learn from your mistakes and do it all over again.

was this directed to me cuz mine aint flimsy by any means   

[2slow4you]

Negative, this was at the OP. 

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

I did build my bumper on the intention of putting a winch on top but I also wanted the flexability of putting one inside... So when I do get a winch I can either put it inside or on top. Now for what I did for mounting, what I did was used the 4 threads that in the crossmember and then the stock bumper mounts just like yours snowtoy. Now for frame strengthning, all I did was bolt on a 1/4" piece of flat bar across the crossmember.

[2slow4you]

highly recommend ----> http://4xinnovations.com/pages/DIY.htm

frame support.

[86rustbucket]

I never built a bumper in high school.. good try though

then why the hell are you talkin on this kids bumper?.......... do you even own a rig?

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

highly recommend ----> http://4xinnovations.com/pages/DIY.htm

frame support.

Actually, except for the gussets and the the tabs on top, its basically what i did, and also it isnt welded, just bolted on but yea thats what i did.

[Mudfanatic92 [OP]]

i'd like to see the "badass" bumpers these guys built in high school


good job man,  i wish i was into this when i was your age

Thanks man

[chim]

then why the hell are you talkin on this kids bumper?.......... do you even own a rig?

Settle down.. I didn't say his fab skills sucked.. I just criticized the design... Its clean work... just way too big! Hasn't that been made clear already? Get over it!