Rock Lizard Bumper

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:44 am

OK, just so you guys don't think I dropped off the face of the earth, Here's a teaser CAD pic of the 02-04 KJ bumper. It isn't perfect, but the measurements are close enough to get a good start on a decent prototyping phase and to give an idea of the direction I am trying to go. This is just a CAD of the bumper shell, so don't freak out about things that may be missing. The minor details will take shape once the hard part is designed. I have been extremely busy lately with work and family related issues, so this is going much slower than I hoped, and with a new baby due in about three weeks, you guys will just have to be patient. I had to fire my last manufacturer, so I am in search of a new one, which I believe I may have found one, but that is also holding up a lot of things. I hope to have these ready to go under the Christmas tree at the earliest. I know that is a tough wait, but I think you all will be happy with it when it does finally go into production. So, anyways, here are some CAD pictures.

Front

Side

Some little added details and numbers to help put things into better perspective.

Let me know what you guys think so far. Here's the original MS Paint picture I did some time ago when I was approached with making KJ bumpers, just to show where things are going.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:02 am

The bumpers will be made of formed 3/16" Grade 50 plate steel and will come standard with recessed hitch receiver, 3/4" thick shackle tabs, mounting brackets that tie into frame rail and front crossmember (about 10-12 mounting bolts), and powdercoat, for around $600, give or take. I won't be making a winch bumper. The 05+ KJ bumpers will only need minor design modifications, and will follow in production shortly after the 02-04 models. Based off my current XJ bumpers, the KJ bumper should weigh in at about 85-90lbs, powdercoated.

I don't know exact pricing, but I can say, I can't do special club discounts. There are so many clubs out there that and so many people would be getting a discount price that there would really be no point in having a regular retail price, and then there would be no point in having a bank account, because I would not make enough money to keep shop. I'm sure you guys, especially those that have/had their own businesses, can understand where I am coming from. When it comes time for release, I will have an initial release sale price for a limited time, and will probably have a sale/group buy special once a year.

Bonehead · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:30 am

Sweet!!!!!!!!!..........I guess I should saving money now LOL :wink:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:55 am

Nice. Great price too. Looking forward to what you could come up w/ for the rear. (in the far future of course) KUTGW!

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:16 am

Looks good but.......

1. Looks like the weight will still be quite heavy.
2. Is it possible to not build those end pieces out of steel and put plastic, rubber, or aluminum ends in their place? Bolt the ends on from the inside. You would have to move the shackle tabs in a little more. Just thinking of less weight.

LimitedLurker · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:18 pm **Posts:** 114

Going to require new turn signal housings and wiring?

Not sure if you plan on haiving side signals or not. Pic of it on KJ shows some yellow on the side but the other drawings don't.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:07 am

Very nice. But does it need that part marked 8.5"@45*? Not clear what that's there for or why its needed.

vxla · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:58 am

8.5 inches long at a 45 degree angle. Pretty clear to me.

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:07 pm

The question was why that pice was needed.

vxla · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:52 pm

Yea, I'm wtih you on that one then. I hate the stupid KJ bumper, looks like a smiley face. I don't know why other vendors wish to copy it.

Guest · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:37 pm

IMO, it's a good start, but I'm concerned about the weight...

DoverKJ · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 2:58 pm

Looks great. cant wait to see a prototype.

brian

lilmatty · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:11 pm

I'm also concerned about the weight but that's one of the reasons why I asked about the bottom piece. If its to add strength that's one thing. I'd like it to handle a hitch mounted winch pulling another KJ out of a ditch.

BlackOps · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:27 pm

I assume that the bottom piece would be needed as an attachment point. and or stability.

As well, what is a better weight? 6o pounds? 70? I have a hard time believing dropping off the bottom piece would lighten the bumper by 25 to 30 pounds.

just my .02 cents

--BlackOps

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 5:58 pm

Overall for the first drawings looks good to me , yes somewhat heavy, but you will not have to worry about it falling apart 6 months down the road. I am starting my reserve fund now!

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:58 pm

looks good to me, and the price if it stays around $600 seems good too, if it is a strong product, which with the time and thought he is putting into it seems to be true.

As for the bottom angled piece, I think it is to serve as a "skid plate/slide aid" to help protect the sway bar/subfram if for some reason we do not see a piece of rock sticking out in front of us or in my case to help ease the bending process of small trees.

And I agree with earlier stated it will not reduce the weight by that much, maybe 10lbs max.

hillcountrykj · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:36 pm

I think it is a great start. Don't for get guys these are just CAD pics. There most likely will be a lot of changes to the design.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 10:31 pm

Looking good. I like the recessed hitch idea.

What about slits for the Hi-Lift to fit into? remember those pics I posted on the EXboard? (slits reduce weight, too :wink:

)

PRICE IS RIGHT! Keep it there!

BlackOps · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 11:08 pm

I will sell plasma to get this bumper.

Count me in Rocklizard.......

--BlackOps

carroll952 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:12 am

AdamIsAdam wrote:

Looking good. I like the recessed hitch idea.

What about slits for the Hi-Lift to fit into? remember those pics I posted on the EXboard? (slits reduce weight, too :wink:

)

PRICE IS RIGHT! Keep it there!

Hi-Lift adds that weight back ;-)

But a mount for it would be awesome!!

The bumper looks awesome, I don't mind the wieght so much as what it would take to ship something that heavy out to me. Hawaii and shipping = hell :-(

Justin

Rock Lizard Bumper

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