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Embarking on a custom bumper project

apolsinelli

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August 20, 2014
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City, State
Coopersburg, Pa
Year, Model & Trim Level
2002 Ford Explorer XLT V8
Hey guys/gals,

A few weeks ago i slid off the road and wrecked my rear bumper. I decided that I will be creating my own rear bumper similar to the picture. I will update toward the end of the week with pictures, but one thing i am still debating: what should i do around the lift gate? on either side there is roughly 5 inches of space from the bottom of the tail lights that wraps around the side(see picture below, place circled in red). I had considered wrapping the pipe up to that as well. but am not sure that will look right. I have also considered making a sort of fiberglass or potentially even steel box similar to what was there to begin with. What do you guy/gals think?

19680173891.jpg


explorer-after-large.jpg
 



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Now i am reconsidering the bumper style. I found the one below as well and dont think it would look bad either. which do you guys/gals think would look better?

F21719204.jpg
 






I like the first design...just cut the plastic bits under the taillights away from the existing bumper and reuse them. Pretty sure those parts have their own mounting points to the body so as long as you match the new bumper design to flow into the curves of those pieces it should come out nice. Looking forward to updates!
 






That was my original thought, but the issue is, those pieces stick out about 5 inches while these designs hug the body. What i may do is take those and cut and heat and bend them to fit right..if i can make it look good. i have a shredded bumper that im gunna try it with first. Im stilll not sure which im going to do. gotta talk to the steel supplier and see which is cheaper. one will require more tubing but the second requires more plating
 






That was my original thought, but the issue is, those pieces stick out about 5 inches while these designs hug the body. What i may do is take those and cut and heat and bend them to fit right..if i can make it look good. i have a shredded bumper that im gunna try it with first. Im stilll not sure which im going to do. gotta talk to the steel supplier and see which is cheaper. one will require more tubing but the second requires more plating

you can go on metalsdepot.com and put the materials you need in your shopping cart to get a general idea of what the metal would cost if you subtract out the shipping. I always shop local it just helps to get an idea for material costs.
 






I like the first design...just cut the plastic bits under the taillights away from the existing bumper and reuse them. Pretty sure those parts have their own mounting points to the body so as long as you match the new bumper design to flow into the curves of those pieces it should come out nice. Looking forward to updates!

I like the first on too. I agree with Ronin, I think you keep the ends.
 






This is still in the works, got pushed off, but still going to happen. In the mean time we figured out what to do about that gap. we are going to use diamond plate to fill it. give it the same curve as the tail light.
 






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