My bumper build: Re-sizing a 1971 ford F100 bumper for an MJ

I know this will be irrelevant to most here, as it is going on an MJ and not an XJ, but oh well. Anyway, this is my first build.


Well, I decided that I didn't like my old flimsy stock bumper, and I had an old bumper from a hot rod project. I got a welder for Christmas and I was bored, so things clicked. Heres my build.

Heres the bumper. Outside width is 74'' wide, about 10'' wider than the stock MJ bumper. Most of that was the extra metal. The bumper brackets needed to be cut out and replaced. I needed to cut down the bumper a total of 5'' (2.5'' each side) to make it fit. It is made out of 1/8’’ and 3/8’’ plate steel. THIS WILL NOT BE A LOAD BEARING BUMPER. That is what ii have a trailer hitch for. Nothing will ever be connected to it.





Pictures of brackets






Test fits















Start to cut. I didn’t think about where I was cutting so I cut a little further in than I wanted. I guess I should have measured. Oh well.

Heres one side cut.



I didn’t take pictures of the other side cut. I took 2.5 inches out of each side.

looks a little rough, but if it gets the job done.

Sorry, my computer died in the middle of posting. I'll post the rest as soon as i can get Word to work.

One side tacked back on.








This shows how far the bumper sits below the bed.







This shows the side where it will be bolted to the bed. I will use a rubber bushing on each side of the bed and a washer between it and the nut on the inside of the bed.



Other side tacked on.







I have a little bit of a gap in between where I cut. My sawzall skills are lacking. I’m using the metal that I cut out of the bumper for form “straps” over the gaps, then welding that on the outside and inside.







That’s my rear bumper build, Hope ya’ll liked reading it.






I also cut my friont bumper at an angle like just about everyone else. Heres pics.

Heres some almost finished pics. I just gotta prime and paint it.

Well... I like the welder?

Wouldnt have been my first choice for a rear bumper, but kudos to you for doing it all yourself and finishing what you started.

~James

stumpXJ said:

Well... I like the welder?

Wouldnt have been my first choice for a rear bumper, but kudos to you for doing it all yourself and finishing what you started.

~James

Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. You at least took the initiative.

I didn't realize how much it stuck out untill i took finished pics. Kinda kills departure angle, but oh well.

The black made it tie together. Looks like it was a fun project! Keep up the good work.