I think we need a new bumper!

[ajitaw]

So I was fooling around in SketchUp today and it really got me thinking, I can do this! Now you'll have to excuse the obvious mistakes in the model (I am actually designing it for my '03 which has a slightly different grill) But you get the idea... I can't take credit for the model of the Explorer, just borrowing it as a mock up.
I probably can't get started on it anytime soon, maybe in a few months, just thought I would share an idea I have for our rigs, thoughts?

 

[bamnq6]

Whoa! Google Sketchup??? I've installed it, but I haven't started playing yet. I'm a SolidWorks guy, so we'll see how the transition goes.

Looks awesome. I like the round fog-light holes. If you keep the OEM fogs I might be interested.

 

[ajitaw]

Yeah, I'm making it for my '03 which has round fogs, probably switch them out for PIAA anyways. I'm brand new at it so now I need to figure out how to get a cut list from my model, ack!

 

[Rofocowboy84]

Me want!!! Though I'd prefer more tubing, but the base looks good!

 

[Got2bneo]

I want one!!!!

 

[43]

That looks pretty slick! mines a mall crawler right now... but hey i live in texas, might as well join the party!

 

[KPSquared]

Whoa! Google Sketchup??? I've installed it, but I haven't started playing yet. I'm a SolidWorks guy, so we'll see how the transition goes.

Looks awesome. I like the round fog-light holes. If you keep the OEM fogs I might be interested.

Sketchup and Solidworks is no comparison... Sketchup is really cool, but really basic... if you have and know how to use Solidworks, you're gonna want to stay there.

That bumper looks beefy...nice work.

 

[ajitaw]

Yeah I actually have no CAD experience and that's what SketchUp is good for... I'd love to learn something like Solidworks and have it be a little more useful. Now I need to fine tune all the measurements and figure out how to get a cut list from this... anyone have any ideas?

 

[rhauf]

A bit on the big side for my taste.. looks cool though, nice integration of lights + winch

 

[macknos94]

thats kinda what i was looking to do to the mountaineer but i want mine to be thinner so it doesn't sit as low

 

[ajitaw]

The finished product might actually be thinner height-wise because I don't want it to be too heavy. Probably going to go with 3/16" steel for the front and 8 gauge for the top, sides and bottom flange.

I guess the deciding factor will be which winch I design it around.

 

[KPSquared]

I'm getting my engineer nerd friend who's a Solidworks guy take my ideas and draw my bumper. Then just send the filel to the local waterjet place and voila! Bumper parts for me to weld together.

 

[ajitaw]

I'm getting my engineer nerd friend who's a Solidworks guy take my ideas and draw my bumper. Then just send the filel to the local waterjet place and voila! Bumper parts for me to weld together.

Nice! That's basically what I want to do... maybe I should start over in Solidworks. This whole thing was just a way to get my idea out of my head and be able to look at it. Problems become more apparent when you can look at it from different angles.

 

[macknos94]

its just the way i would build it but mine is going to be built as high as possible just so you have more clearance. i like my tires rubbing the ground not my bumpers. i will also have a "fake" drop bumper so my dumb bumper law doesn't get me in trouble. 26 inches front and 28 inches rear at the actual bumper support...... i'm already over that by 4 inches! some of you guys are so lucky!

keep us updated with lots of pics. i can't wait to see it

 

[ajitaw]

Yeah, unfortunately it's not going to be very soon, sorry for teasing everybody, money is a little tight at the moment and I hope things will change in the next few months.

Likewise with your build macknos, your pretty much the pioneer going with the SAS... can't wait!

 

[macknos94]

we are all a little tight on cash these days it sucks! i sold 2 toys to fund the mountaineer and the chevy restore. now its just time and energy i will have the mounty finish by december at the latest