I have a vision

[XJ4IV]

well After my little incident a few weeks ago I decided it was HIGH time to finish my front bumper. I decided to make some cardboard templates and finish off the end pieces.
Here is what Im attaching too
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/ZN50170.jpg
It's not going to be any big bohemuth I like to keep everything as close to the body as possibleand still make it strong.
I'll tell you this much is done so far: I have the templates cut out and I have purchased 3/16 steel plate but I still need to cut the steel into the pieces and then weld them into place...
I will provide pics of the process once I have finished everything

[alwaysxj]

well then get going i want to see this.

what are you cutting with then?

[4.3LXJ]

Good start, time to get going

[XJ4IV]

Ryobi cutting wheel with dewalt blades... I wish I had a plasma but I trust myself more with the ryobi lol the one shown here... this thing was originally purchased as a high speed buffer but has been used as a cutter than anything
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/basivey/HoodVents007.jpg

[alwaysxj]

sweet i have one of those as well then i have a metal chop saw as well.

[XJ4IV]

Dang i went through two wheels and cut three of the four pieces, Im trying to load pics of the concept but photobuckets taking FOREVER

[XJ4IV]

Here is the basic concept
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/1274402002.jpg
and yes I know the lines don't meet up but it's hard to hold two pieces of cardboard AND the camera
And here is the steel sheets with the pieces traced out
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/1274402132.jpg
I cut most of them out and they look great ... This weekend I will try to tack them into place and then have a good welder at work finish it off for me

[XJ4IV]

Whats your inpot on adding a hoop... I think they are meerly cosmetic but whats the advantage.... Im not really into cosmetics just functionality.
When I say Hoop I mean a short one that goes just about two inches over the winch... not a stinger
basically like this one
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/bumperIlike.jpg
Please tell me any benefits or drawbacks

[4.3LXJ]

I have one. It is to protect the wince and grill from stray tree and brush limbs

[Mudderoy]

Whats your inpot on adding a hoop... I think they are meerly cosmetic but whats the advantage.... Im not really into cosmetics just functionality.
When I say Hoop I mean a short one that goes just about two inches over the winch... not a stinger
basically like this one
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/bumperIlike.jpg
Please tell me any benefits or drawbacks

I wanted to protect the winch plus and more importantly I wanted a place to put off road lights.

[alwaysxj]

yes yes what everyone else said. plus it just looks so much better i think with a hoop.
my bumper on my jeep does not have one and i cannot stand it. i will be adding a hoop here soon.

[Mudderoy]

yes yes what everyone else said. plus it just looks so much better i think with a hoop.
my bumper on my jeep does not have one and i cannot stand it. i will be adding a hoop here soon.

Well you know how I am about my Jeep, and if I'm going to have a custom bumper on it I want it to look good. Having a bumper that doesn't look significantly different from a factory bumper was not an option for me, especially when you consider the price. I wanted to have something that reminded me of my great decision each and every time I looked at it. :rotfl2:

Nothing wrong with no hoop for the rest of you, but I knew what I wanted.

[XJ4IV]

I might just add it cause I like the way it looks... the one and ONLY cosmetic feature.... EVEN the paint is functionality on my jeep

[alwaysxj]

this is what i have but i think it will look alot better with a hoop on it.
http://i873.photobucket.com/albums/ab298/alwaysxj/flexin003.jpg?t=1274482858

[XJ4IV]

Update: mine will be pretty much finished on monday afternoon I paid a guy at work 20 bucks to weld it together he said Deal he is the General Contractors welder... a very well known guy lol I guess I should expect some damn nice welds

[XJ4IV]

OK heres the ALMOST finished product I think Im going to add a skid piece to the lower under neath the winch itself portion
but here the pics
http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/2010-05-25152754.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/2010-05-25155904.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/2010-05-25155911.jpg

http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/seivey/2010-05-25164433.jpg

[4.3LXJ]

A little grinding and paint and that will look real nice.

[XJ4IV]

I plan on capping the ends but I wanna do something cool like the Jeep emblem. OIIIIO

[alwaysxj]

not to bad it will give you a nice approach angle.

[XJ4IV]

I was letting my wife drive it today while I was driving another car in front and I noticed the tires are all the way below the bumper GREAT clearance

[4.3LXJ]

As they should be:thumbsup:

[XJ4IV]

Still havent designed the end caps NOR painted it... it's been TOOOOOOO hot or too wet here to get out and weld Anybody have any ideas on designs or should I just toss a piece on there and call it good?

[4.3LXJ]

I would just cap up the ends and grind the welds smooth and call it good.