Front bumper

[seanR]

I got tired of my old winch, so I got a new one.
Well you can’t put a new winch on an old bumper, so I am making a new one.
At first I thought it would be a good idea to tuck the winch under the radiator so out came Mr. Cut off wheel…

I made new side rails to tie the bumper to the Jeep and cut holes for the power steering pump bolts to brace that also
The winch came with a nice cradle so I decided to use that in the build
I test fit the new winch but decided it hung down too low…

Since I do not have a front grille any more, I decided that the winch should go in front of the radiator.
I slotted out the side rails so the cradle will slide into place.

My good friend Dion (MagnumCJ) came over and helped me weld it all together, since he says my welds look like raccoon poop. I will not tell you which ones I welded and which ones he welded, you will have to figure that out when you see it.
Tonight, I cut 2 X 4 box tubing to make the end pieces. I got one side done before burning a hole in my tennis shoe.

I will keep up dating as I go.

 

[Lincoln]

You should have used a rail road tie. That's what a true bark eater would have done.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

thick enough brackets?

obviously you are not concerned about weight savings

you know, those brackets are only bolted to sheet metal to begin with :wave:

i went higher and closer to the radiator with mine

my brackets (1/4")

top is 1/4"

the bottom parts are 3/16"

internal bracing

corners

final approach angle

i love the approach angle with this bumper and it easily pushes up and over ledges. the only part that sucks is that the rear 2 bolts for the winch sit above the crossmember since i pushed the winch as close to the radiator as possible....which means the winch has to be bolted to the bumper before i can mount it to the jeep. i've done it alone, but it's easier with 2 people

maybe you'll get some ideas

 

[PornstaR]

May want to toss some bracing on those side peices before the welds break off............ trees do push back. As for the (1/2in i do belive) brackets, try lightening them a bit to shave off some weight. I used 1/2in on mine to stiffen the chassis around the steering box..... took quite a bit off of mine and they are fine (used em for pick points also, search and you will find pics of mine.)

 

[seanR]

The brackets are not 1/2, they are 3/8.
I use what ever steel I can get for free now that the wyfe sells helicopter parts and not steel anymore.
I plan on bracing the sides and adding a bottom skid.
I need to get new tips for the Miller first.

Stincolin, I plan on using the rail road tie for the rear, what type of rod should I use to weld it to the gas tank, 7018?

 

[GSequoia]

I got one side done before burning a hole in my tennis shoe.

Don't you mean your advanced fabrication welding shoes?

 

[XJEEPER]

wow

 

[Matt S.]

whoa.

 

[XJedi23]

Cooling issues?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Cooling issues?

mine sits right in front of the radiator and i don't have any cooling issues. my jeep also doesn't see highway speeds anymore, either....so the winch can't block air that it wouldn't see at crawling speeds anyways

 

[w_howey]

You should have used a rail road tie. That's what a true bark eater would have done.

Boy, you sure are an owl-screwer. Lumber is used for the rear bumper.