M1A1TankerTom Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 I finally got around to getting a rear bumper built for my 89 Comanche. After checking out the internet and seeing the prices of pre built options (not many) I decided to hunt down a fab guy and have one built. I finally found a guy in Santa Rosa, CA that does work out of his garage. After seeing pics of his previous jobs and seeing his own wheelers I decided he was the best guy I had checked out so I dropped the Comanche off and told him to build me a bumper. I told him I wanted to keep it pretty simple but I wanted it to wrap around the sides for some armor also. Posted pics below of what he built me. Charged me $425. Its currently sitting in my garage with paint drying on it as I type. Will post some more pics of it painted soon. I think he did one hell of a job. Told me that if he built another one it would probably be around $500 or so due to it being more work than he thought. He told me if anybody else wanted one he would be willing to build and ship. If you guys are interested his email is: balterbuilt@yahoo.com This bumper is solid! Let me know what you think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 should have pics of it painted tomorrow....while I'm waiting for it to dry and posting pics figured I would throw some pics up of my two Jeeps for the hell of it! Image Not Found Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 The bumper itself looks real nice...........just don't think I'd pull much with it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 ya I don't tow anything, he didnt want to put a tow receiver at all but I figured I would have him put one just in case. I know this bumper is not for towing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flint54 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Glad you added the caveat about not doing much towing. It is a very good looking and well constructed bumper, but it could be made more tow worthy (in case someone ever did) by adding horizontal gussets, say 1/2" thick by 3 or 4 inches wide, on the forward side between the square tube receiver and the two frame tie-in tubes, and full bead to the bumper itself. Wouldn't take much, and would greatly increase the stiffness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 Ya, like I said I do not intend to tow with this bumper. My Comanche drives to work and wheels, I have never towed with it nor do I plan to. If somebody was interested in contacting balterbuilt@yahoo.com to have him build you a bumper he will build you WHATEVER you want. If you want a bumper to tow with he will build you one. I on the other hand did not need a towing bumper. I could not wait so I just got done throwing the painted bumper back on the truck. Looks damn good in my opinion. Pretty damn beefy too! Thought I would show off my lisence plate bracket that I snagged of a 70's chevy car that had the fuel tank behind the plate. This way I can mount the plate up high and won't tear it off while wheeling but can still flip it down when I need to use the tailgate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Yeah I guess it's still daytime in the W coast.........the rest of us are in the dark already. It does look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Can you show pics of the mount points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 ya I can take more pics, it will have to wait till tomorrow when the sun comes back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RynoMJ Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Wow that bumper came out amazing, nice job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW86 Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 for what it is, it looks good. I'm more interested in specs on the tire/lift combo. 4.5/33s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 yup, 4.5 inch lift and 33 inch tires. not 100% on the brand of the lift cuz it was installed by PO. But it had Rubicon Express stickers plastered all over it...doesnt prove anything though. As for the tires they are 33x10.5 BFG KM2's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drcomanche Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I really like that bumper. I've been looking for one that also gives the extra armor on the sides, too. Why do I have to live on the east coast?? :fs1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellaheep Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Great looking bumper. :thumbsup: Do you know if that steel is something he had bent to get the lower angle? Or can it be bought formed like that? I'd build one myself if I knew I could source steel "C" channel that had the lower angle in it that yours does....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 sorry I wasnt able to take pics of mounting points today...ill try in the morning. He had a shop bend the steel, apparantly he uses the same shop for all his steel and bends so they give him pretty good pricing. I don't know what he would charge for shipping but I know he said he was willing to ship. If anybody is interested I encourage you to send him an email. He is a nice guy and will answer any questions you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 :yes: i'll like the bumper. :hmm: questions i do have what would it take to make this a bumper strong enough for towing :idea: possible reinforcement by sealing the other side of the bumper :dunno: :idea: what about a step configuration. and what gauge of steel does he use. thanks :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1A1TankerTom Posted November 23, 2011 Author Share Posted November 23, 2011 steel looks to be 3/16 thick. I don't know what would need to be done to make this an official "towing" bumper. I would tow something light and not far with this bumper if I had to, but I know it could be made beefier if you intended on doing a lot of towing. Here are some pics of the mounting points that were requested. I really need to get rid of that stock spare tire! Also while I was crawling around snapping photos of the mounting points I couldnt help snap a photo of my rear axle that I don't think I ever posted on here. Dana 44, ruffstuff diff cover, 4.88 gears, detroit locker. Front axle is a HP D30, ruffstuff cover, 4.88, and lockrite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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