Homemade bumpers

[mr_alister]

Has anyone made themselves some homemade bumpers that were better for crawling and looked decent? I'm planning on using some stainless steel plate I have but looking for idea's on how to do it.

[AnimalHippie]

I made my own bumper out of a old fork from a lawn mower and some 1/8" steel rod. It was fairly easy. You can find it on page 6 of my trx build thread AnimalHippie's Trx-4 Adventure

[Gramps]

I 3d printed one for the TRX4 Chassis Kit I'm building. Haven't tried it yet but I think it will work well.

[HumboldtEF]

I've made a few with steel flat stock. Its pretty basic, weld, grind, file and repeat. This was to get a angular modern bumper look. It can definitely benefit from some CAD (cardboard aided design) making a cardboard mock up bumper is a must.

I've also done some tube style bumpers and the trick is to weld where its not as visible and theres much less grinding to finish it off.

I prefer to make the mounts mate up to the outside of the chassis rails instead of using the stock bumper post setup. its much stronger this way and you probably wont need your front crossmember anymore as the bumper should stiffin things up much more. The hardest part for me or the part I stress out the most about is getting the mounting perfect. Avoid slotting the mounting holes as this will allow your bumper to get pushed in on big hits.

[20vmki]

Originally Posted by Gramps

I 3d printed one for the TRX4 Chassis Kit I'm building. Haven't tried it yet but I think it will work well.

Love it!

[mr_alister]

Yeah those look nice guys. A lot nicer than I think I'm capable of making. I was planning on cutting up some steel that already has a 90 degree bend in it, just shaping it a tad and screwing it to the old plastic bumper mount.

When you say "weld" do you actually mean welding or is it brazing?

[HumboldtEF]

What I posted was mig welded. My next project will be brazed though, I just got the torch and supplies for that. Bazing is more appropriate for this scale, mig welding isn't ideal but can work.

[Jeff6x6]

If you want to just bolt up...this is 1/8 x1” aluminum might find at Ace hardware or others. Sturdy enough but if you want slight bends...you can. Bolts down low to keep bumper as high as possible. Grind bumper mounts to go in further. Or flip mounts if trx-4. Hobby shop should have long 3mm bolts. Buff aluminum with Mother’s polish or turtle wax rubbing compound. Or paint flat black and touch up often.

[mr_alister]

Originally Posted by Jeff6x6

If you want to just bolt up...this is 1/8 x1” aluminum might find at Ace hardware or others. Sturdy enough but if you want slight bends...you can. Bolts down low to keep bumper as high as possible. Grind bumper mounts to go in further. Or flip mounts if trx-4. Hobby shop should have long 3mm bolts. Buff aluminum with Mother’s polish or turtle wax rubbing compound. Or paint flat black and touch up often.

Do you have any pics of how that's mounted?

[Benp]

Great thread!

Even though I don’t have the skills to make one, I enjoy seeing what everyone has created.

[antigacho]

I build this using stainless steel rods, silver solder and map gas

[Jeff6x6]

Originally Posted by mr_alister

Do you have any pics of how that's mounted?

Trx-4 Bronco front bumper mount. Grind off anything you do not need. I can take a pic of the body off. There is a lot to learn from this site. I am always reading new threads on how to upgrade these rigs.

[bexline]

Remove the black plastic insert behind the chrome bronco bumper and use that as a very low profile bumper.

[Jeff6x6]

The front mount that the bumper slides into is flipped so it curves up. A Bronco front bumper mount was ground down to 1/4 “ facing the front. The back side with the two channels was grinded also. The two Channels were further grinded so they are square soon as they protrude from the back. The bumper mounting holes are low so the bumper is almost higher than the front wheels.

[Jeff6x6]

Originally Posted by bexline

Remove the black plastic insert behind the chrome bronco bumper and use that as a very low profile bumper.

That is what I am calling the bumper mount.

[mr_alister]

Thanks guys! Im excited to try and fab something up now.

Jeff6x6, what the heck is that "sense" thing installed in front of your servo?

[mr_alister]

Oh. Lol. I see it now. Engine sound

[Jeff6x6]

It is not for everybody. I love it. It holds two sounds. I am looking in to this right now. The yellow wire lets you use a horn. Of course I need to set up the Dixie horn. You have to have an extra channel. I am thinking of locking in the front. Tye rap the cable. Thus freeing up a space for the yellow wire to be controlled.

[Benp]

Originally Posted by antigacho

I build this using stainless steel rods, silver solder and map gas

Wow! Excellent job!

Looks like factory front bumper for ARctic Cat side by sides.

[mr_alister]

Ok guys, after a couple hours I've come up with this!

I'm quite happy with it, but i think it needs some fog light holes drilled in it or something just to break it up a bit so it doesn't look like a big bar stuck on the front of my truck. Any thoughts on what i should do are appreciated!