Diamond plating on Front Bumper

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:24 am

This is how it started: I cracked the heck outta the center section about 6 months ago...planned on getting a replacement (All-J or stock). I was joking one day with my Dad about how he should take the Sawzall too it so we can put "something steel" there. We first cut away the airdam and center section, which exposed part of the frame. We then drilled into the frame, and bolted this piece onto it. We then bolted another piece behind it so as to support it. The bolts up top go through the top plate, then the frame, and hold up the supporting plate on the other side. The front bolts just hold the supporting plate against the front plate.

It's made from 1/4" diamond plating, fabricated in Denver. They gave us the wrong height, so we had to cut it for cost reasons (hence the not so straight bottom edge). I still think it looks great. It was also some great bonding time with my Father, who I think may go Jeep crazy soon.

It is solid as a rock! We stopped by the local dealership this morning to see how they have tow hooks mounted, and they have them mounted to the bottom of the frame part we attached this piece to. So, the plan is to get some generic hooks and mount them to basically the same stock position, but up-top instead of down-below.
Let's hear some questions, opinions, ideas, etc.
Thanks!

auggy · **Posted:** Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:19 pm

It would look awesome if you welded another piece around the bottom so that it went around and made a sort of box around the old bumper. Nice work though!

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:56 pm

I have thought about replacing that center plastic section with solid steel and being able to put the winch on it.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Fri Nov 25, 2005 1:14 pm

We aimed for maximum strength, and making it a box didn't work for this. We did have plans of having the front plate lip back, and then weld a plate from there to the front crossmember, but we looked and there really is nothing needing protection from the frame area we mounted to and the front diff skid. All that's in front of the diff is the swaybar. But like I said, we made it for strength, because my next mod will probably be a winch (MileMarker PE8000...?).

Myke · **Posted:** Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:21 pm

I would have lipped it our made it somewhat round other than that I like it, I prob would go with a polish finish. can you still mount a hitch?

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Sat Nov 26, 2005 4:37 pm

No, the front hitch would mount the tow hook points, which are covered up with the diamond plate. I plan on mounting two tow hooks on top of the diamond plate on either side for recovery soon, though. Winches are looking real nice nowadays, if could afford one! The Milemarker PE8000 is only $450 right now at 4wheelparts.com. I would just mount it on top of the diamond plating, bolting it through the frame like we did for the diamond plate itself.

crdawg · **Joined:** Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:55 pm **Posts:** 98

did you notice any excess weight issues with that much metal hanging on the front end

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2005 12:55 am

Both the pieces combined are not that heavy at all, less than my gas tank skid. If I get a winch (80 lbs.), I can imagine it'd sag. I have OME medium springs up front, so I can upgrade to heavy duty springs if it becomes an issue.
I'm gonna grind the bottom to get it straighter. It was quite difficult cutting through that plating. Once I do some more offroading, I will cut the bottom edge shorter if I want to improve clearance. If anything, I'm tempted to cut the fog light area like other LOST members have!

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2005 2:51 am

Nice job! The only problem I see with attaching a wich on there is the depth. A winch is too deep to fit up there.

You could cut some of the grille out though. I've seen this done on a few XJs to mount a winch and it looks great if done right. You'll need to make some sort of "trim" to go around the opening though.

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:08 pm

I was looking at some MileMarker winch mounting systems, and they have a L bracket mount for small space apps, bolting down on top and in on the side. It would put the winche's center at the edge of the plate, I think. You are right, though, there is not much depth, so I will have to address this before I slap a winch up front.

Myke · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2005 10:38 pm

Say if you cut a squar opening to fit the hitch just so you could slide something like this through it

I guess it's called a hitch extention or something. Then mount the hitch on the other side of the d plate and just use longer bolts or weld it together?

crdawg · **Joined:** Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:55 pm **Posts:** 98

you could add square tubing on either side off the diamond plate and take off the rest of the front bumper.then add premade hoops to the square tubing,then you could mount your turn signal in the hoops.that would allow you to trim the fenders and have open clearance for the wheels.the drawings are crude,but get the basic idea.not to scale

sorry had to repost,accidently delete on my download site

bennybmn · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:57 am

A couple things...

Forst off, I like it!! Very cool.

As for the bottom edge, I'd consider rounding it or putting some sort of lip because you could get hung up on something if you ever need to back off an obstacle.... just a thought.

Check out stock Wrangler front tow hooks. They bolt onto a flat surface on the bumper, might be just what you are lookin for!

Of course a winch would be sweet!

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Sun Dec 04, 2005 3:13 am

We are going to recut the bottom edge soon, straight this time. I will be a little closer to the back plate's edge. How does anyone work a winch manually when it's a "hidden" mounting job?

crdawg · **Joined:** Mon Sep 12, 2005 10:55 pm **Posts:** 98

Ramsey ,i believe, has a remote control unit for their winch that like a key fob.take care of the control issues

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2005 9:52 pm

Update:
I had a shackle-type thing welded to the front for recovery. I currently just attach my POS wal-mart strap (with hooks) to it, and have no problems. The weld is super strong; I've already pulled out a Chevy 1500 and an '89 Trooper, both of which weight a ton. Eventually, I'll get a 3/4" shackle and a real recovery strap so I can throw away the POS strap with the sharp projectiles on the ends.
I also had a rod welded to the bottom of the steel's edge so as to help the lip slide over whatever it may scrape. After all that, I painted it black. After that, I got my Lib on the rocks for the first time!

Of course, this would mean nothing at all to you guys and gals...unless I have pics! You know I wouldn't let you down.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2005 9:57 pm

Now all you need to do is put some horns from a Texas Long horn bull on the hood, and you got a real Bull!!!

That shackle looks just like the hoop through a bulls nose!

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Tue Dec 27, 2005 10:05 pm

Yeh, my dad said it looked like a "don't F with me bumper". Obviously I can't quote him verbatim...I can't wait to get some lights on there.

06BlueLimited · **Posted:** Fri Apr 07, 2006 6:44 pm

Man I like that bumper... if you could give me some idiot proof directions on how to do that I think I can make something work for mine. I have an 06 and every since I cut the inner fender liners out I have been wanting to do more and more to change some things around. Good job again! :twisted:

spencevans · **Posted:** Mon May 08, 2006 10:38 pm

I don't think that would work on my '05.

Diamond plating on Front Bumper

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