Front Bumper Ideas.

[privetryan89]

So I have a 1998 Explorer XLT with 136,000+ miles on it. Love it death and have never been stuck in it. Over the summer I was driving through this cross intersection on a back country road by my house, thats known for accidents, when I guy came over this hill doing 55 mph in a 45 mph. He was coming from my right. He crossed over into to far into the left lane and before i could full stop, I t-boned him. His car seemed to have exploded into a million pieces. He then proceeded and slid into a tree. When he got out of the car he said it was completely his fault. Soon the cops and the fire department showed. I live in a very small town and I know all the fire fighters and cops. As soon as the they said,"Hey, Ryan. You O.K.?" The guy started going off and saying it was my fault that I was speeding and did not stop at the stop sign. They all looked at him and said, "Your lying. We know this guy and how he drives. And by judging the tire marks you were speeding and crossed over to the left lane " So that was a plus for me.

In the end his car was totaled and I only suffered a pushed in bumper, a dent in the hood, and my off-road lights that were mounted on the bumper smashed to pieces. Shows you that these trucks are Built Ford Tough!

My question is what do you guys think I should do about the bumper? Should I try to pull it out, build one, or buy a OEM replacement? If I build one do any of you have plans? I've tried to look but nothing I found was about building one. They were all about replacing it with a OEM. I want to figure this out soon cause I really miss my off-road lights.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

this is what i did with mine

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224998

 

[trj360]

Looks like the accident knocked your lift kit clean off.

 

[privetryan89]

Thats my summer project. Going with add-a-leafs and torsion bars. Kind of hard to do it seeing I'm at college. I really want to build a heavy duty dumper or buy one and i figured you were the guys to ask.

It has a shift kit, custom exhaust, cb radio so far. Had the off-road light but they were smashed off in the accident. Light bar for the roof is in the making. You would be surprised where this truck is capable of going in stock form.

 

[trj360]

You would be surprised where this truck is capable of going in stock form.

You would be surprised how many people on this forum already know that, considering it's the explorer forum and all.

TT and add a leaf shouldn't be hard, probably a one day weekend type project. Are you going with bigger tires or any other modifications, like a locker?

 

[BogFather]

This is what ya need for the front:

 

[privetryan89]

I have to see how much money I can get my hands on. I want to go with 31" General Grabber AT2 on some cheap blacked out rims. I have a whole list of ideas for the truck like beefing up the stock skid plates and making one to protect the font but again money is the issue. paying for college sucks! I really like that bumper except i dont need a stinker hoop. did you make it or buy it? do you have plans and an estimated cost? thanks

and i was just say how capable cause it does shock me at times. Great example got my moms jeep in 4" of snow in a corn field. could not get out in 2wd had to put it in 4wd. even then i had trouble. took my exploder through it and never had to put it in 4wd. plowed through it like nothing was there.

 

[privetryan89]

so no one has any bumper ideas they can toss my way.

 

[2-Stripe]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99820

there are plenty of bumpers on there, also I know potsy was trying to set up a 2nd gen bumper but needed some more people to order so you might try and contact him.

Also check out some of the ones on here.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=72

 

[BogFather]

Well the cost on mine was only having to fill my buddies tank for his welder. Got the pipe from work $0, The tube bender $0 (Borrowed from a friend), Place to weld and bend $0(Buddies Garage), Filling welding tank $70. As for designs well we just went with the front end lines and matched them up the best we could, For the skid plate bars well the best place to attach them was drilling into the front crossmember as it was PERFECT angle to keep the rad safe and still have a decent approach angle. Just need to get some 1/8 Aluminum to get the skid done and then she will be MINT

 

[privetryan89]

thanks for the link. I dont know why i never found it before.