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Building a new front bumper


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Need some of you guys' input on it since it might be something else I start building.
 
This one is actually going on my XJ. I had an olddd nates 4x4 bumper made outta 2x4 tubing. Got it at a decent price, added a receiver, light protection and some "decorative" cover pieces on the side.
 
I started ROUGH mock up at work.
Its 24" of 5/16"x4.5" (closest i could find to what i needed) down each frame rail to build off of. 1/4" plate, 10" wide across the bottom to mount a winch to. And some different angles up front and I'll need something to mount a fairlead to.
And d ring tabs will run down the frame tie ins
 
 
I kinda wanted something that looks like the narrow dirtbound bumper.
 
Throw some ideas and pics in here.
For now it will only be as wide as the frame.
Just for recovery. 53f39fb7e293c9e69c1d205478f84a84.jpg&key=fb77640b7519e271405f0509d277f56d142e1eedc0b9ead8ef21f838dcdcfa8d37eef0f11eeed702a0f28fbd12abb1ab.jpg&key=6bd9f44888e3f31332fad62f1b06b6a178010ea51f1361695d1dd7f2f4ca4bfe8e9b64df384dc6964b259219940f7684.jpg&key=f39829979404883e89992de35a1be18bc473cd4599b20268bfdc393bcd9261dc365e9efef15b2737366e1f35dff701d3.jpg&key=212e86ee4b80cdcc427d7e0f80e3d3c06894908d068c7e852d08b126eadfa125
 
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d654e2575e9601b6dd3017cf54047adb.jpg
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I always wanted a stubby bumper for the MJ. :D   riiiiiight up until I saw the pic of the guy who crunched and destroyed the now unprotected corner on a tree. :(  it reminded me that we don't have wranglers and so there's something in that corner.  I had the thought of some sort of phantom protection (there, but not all that noticable) but never really got past the initial brainstorm.  :dunno:

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I always wanted a stubby bumper for the MJ.    riiiiiight up until I saw the pic of the guy who crunched and destroyed the now unprotected corner on a tree.   it reminded me that we don't have wranglers and so there's something in that corner.  I had the thought of some sort of phantom protection (there, but not all that noticable) but never really got past the initial brainstorm.  :dunno:

Could fit right under the header panel and only stick out an inch or less...

 

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I was looking at doing something similar for the MJ, but I wanted a hidden winch bumper. 

 

I like the boostwerks design

http://www.boostwerksengineering.com/BWE-Comp-Mount_p_14.html

 

Here's my NAXJA thread about it

 

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1147107

 

Some decent ideas in there. I haven't done a damn thing besides buy the winch, but the biggest thing I got some far was being able to remove the bumper without needing to unbolt the steering. 

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I have the Boostwerks hidden winch and the Logan 4X4 non-winch bumper. Not installed yet on my XJ. I am not sure if I want to cut the frame on the MJ. I am thinking about the Logan 4X4 inverted winch bumper. I think if you flip it upside down to get it tucked underneath. I am thinking of recessing driving lights into the bumper. Then possibly having fogs lower and back below the radiator or such. I'd wonder if you did some of the frame if DOM tube and put cover plates to fill the gaps. Sort of Scaggletti.

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This isn't a hidden winch bumper. I don't want to cut my crossmember out yet.
But I plan on it sometime. I have a few people wanting me to make them a hidden winch setup.

I was just wondering if there's anything anyone would want in a front bumper if I made them. This is all rough and I'd like to eventually have these lasered out and formed...


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I was also suggesting an inverted winch. Logan's 4x4 makes a bumper that way. I do not know the particulars. I personally do not want a bumper that sticks out a bunch. Also, I do not want to cut my frame on the Comanche.

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I saw a guy on here or Cherokee forum who welded very slim wings on the stubby bumper that could barely be noticed but protect the sides. I believe they were wedge shaped so the edges were very slim, but had a strong backing. If I find it I’ll post up here.


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I like that thin wing bumper. A full plate on top, then sort of angled up on the sides of the wings. Maybe even stick out a few inches. Some head light buckets on both sides of the winch. Possible some fogs lower than the winch.

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13 hours ago, DirtyComanche said:

 

How do you get at the clutch with that?  Or just power it out?

 

It's probably underneath. A few others guys I've seen have make a tool to access the clutch through the bumper. I believe it can only work Warn and not smittys but I'm not 100%. 

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seeing it on the Jeep.... yeah, it does stick out far enough to start becoming a detriment to your approach angle.  I can see why guys go with hidden and partially hidden winches.  

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seeing it on the Jeep.... yeah, it does stick out far enough to start becoming a detriment to your approach angle.  I can see why guys go with hidden and partially hidden winches.  
But it actually sticks out an inch less than the nates bumper that was on there...

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4 hours ago, krustyballer16 said:

But it actually sticks out an inch less than the nates bumper that was on there...

 

 

Yeah, being stubby it just looks like it sticks out a long way.

 

I'm not a huge fan of hidden winch bumpers because you can't see how the cable it spooling, and typically they no longer serve the purpose of a bumper, in that they no longer protect the body.

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