Custom Bumper Opinions

[X6StringerX]

My first plan was to take some 8" channel and cut about 16" on both ends at an angle and bring it up to 4" or so on the sides. It was pretty much just gonna be the design that is most commonly used. I was gonna add a couple cutouts for fog lights, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Moving on, the next design isn't THAT original, but I thought it flowed with the lines on the X a little better than the massive chunk of steel noted above.

This design is roughly 6.5" in height or so. The front piece will be an 8" piece, but the bottom will be angled in... blah blah blah, how 'bout I just post my photoshop pics? Disregard the differentiation in roof rack styles. I just wanted to mock something up to see what it would look like.

Version 1:

Version 2:

I think I like version 2: a little better. The back bumper will receive cutouts for extra backup lights and the front bumper will receive cutouts for fog lights. I'm contemplating putting a 2" insert on the front bumper. The rear bumper will definately get an insert. They will also both have 2 tow hooks each.

What I'm confused about is the thickness of steel I should use. My fiance's dad says to use 1/8" to keep the weight down but I'm worried about strength. I don't plan on pushing trees over or anything, but I want something fairly stout. I figured 3/16" would be perfect. The future father-in-law also recommends not tying the front bumper into the frame rails. I haven't took the time to investigate the mounting thoroughly though. I'm positive the rear bumper will be tied into the frame because I'm 100% sure I want the 2" insert that I mentioned above.

I will also be making a diamond plate skid plate to protect the radiator, etc. Well, I probably shouldn't take credit for it. My best friend's dad is gonna make all the crap. I'm just gonna be there to learn what I can. He's been a metalworker all his life.

 

[Kinserin]

I went with 1/4" plate/flat bar when I made my bumper, it really isnt that heavy (mine at least, I can lift it even if the winch is installed). I initially made it with 1/8" and when rested on my frame rails the two sides that hung over bent the middle. I think if the bumper isnt for anything other than looks, 1/8" is enuff, if not, 1/4" imo, although 3/16 may be enuff, I never even gave it any thought after I found some 1/4".

 

[IZwack]

IMO, run the current stock bumper until you bend it enough and then start building this bumper.

 

[X6StringerX]

I'm getting both the front and rear bumpers made for $150, so I figured why not? I should be able to get most, if not all or more, of that back by selling the bumpers that are on there now. They're in perfect condition with the exception of a few scrapings on the plastic trim pieces.

The bumper will mainly be more for looks than functionality. The terrain in the areas I wheel is totally different than anything seen in Moab. It is highly unlikely that I'll be bouncing it off a rock. I wheeled my last Explorer and then a lifted XJ after that and when I sold them, they still looked new. If I waited until my bumpers got bent before replacing, I might as well wait on the X to rust to the ground, lol.

My main concern was just picking materials. I didn't want something that would cause the X to have a permenant nose dive, but I do want something that will be sturdy enough that in the unfortunate event I'm in a car wreck or something.

 

[Kinserin]

I'd go with 1/4". Its thick enough to take a beating if an accident were to occur (Im pretty sure at least...), and it wont drop the front end of your truck, or shouldnt. My bumper is 'built' and even with my winch, my truck doesnt rake yet. I'd guestimate my bumper+winch weighs roughly 200lbs, if not a little more. All I know is I can lift it by my self, needless to say because it was so awkward I tweaked my back, but it wasnt heavy heavy, just awkward for one person.

IMO 1/8" will crumple on impact unless boxed and gusseted like crazy, but if your going to add that weight you may as well just go with 1/4" and box/gusset it, just not as much as you'd want to with 1/8". I beat the crap out of my bumper with a sledge hammer to see if my welds would fail and nothing bent or moved out of place, but my original mock-up in 1/8" bent in the center with just the weight of the corners tacked in place.
/shrug really its up to you, but if you can get it made with anything you want, for $150, just go with 1/4". Why cut it short and have something happen?

 

[X6StringerX]

1/4" sounds good to me then. I was just unsure of how it would affect the front suspension with the added weight. My X already has a 5.0, so its got a little more weight to it than the V6 Explorers.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[IZwack]

but I do want something that will be sturdy enough that in the unfortunate event I'm in a car wreck or something.

Here's the thing on that, the stock bumpers are supposed to save your life (or some one else's life). They take the energy and crumble instead of pushing most of that energy to someone's neck vertebrae.

Like back in the orignal days of NASCAR when the thought was bigger and sturdier was better -- well turns out thats not the case. Drivers were getting serious injuries from collisions that didn't look too terrible because the human body took most of the energy.

I wrecked my bumper on a pole after snowboarding and if that bumper didnt give way the way it did, I'm pretty sure I would have sustained some sort of an injury.

But of course this bumper will be built cauz thats how modifications go, so good luck