Tube bumper possibilities

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:57 pm

What do you think? Would a tubular bumper be an option?

Of course, there would have to be a place for the turn signals.

Troysterr · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:12 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

What do you think? Would a tubular bumper be an option?

I've wondered the same thing. Many of us have been wishing for a bumper that is stronger and provides more clearance than stock, but much lighter and less expensive than an ARB. It seems like you could bend a couple of tubes and weld them together pretty inexpensively. Add a couple of brackets to attach them to the tow hook mounts, and you're good to go.

If you don't actually replace the existing bumper (just the plastic bumper cover), then you're not compromising the safety of the vehicle in a crash. You're just adding a little more strength, getting a more aggressive look, and increasing clearance, as far as I can tell.

Of course, you may want to paint the existing bumper black and cut the fenders down. And make sure there's something solid to attach the grill to.

In any case, it's an interesting thought.

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:52 pm

due to weight, mine is going to be part tube...

The center will be simple 2x6 steel then the corners will be rounded tube to wrap around the back and the front will slightly wrap... but the front is a ways off, only conceptual, but I have seen a bumper on a grand that would be real easy to copy up in Denver...

RespectMyLibertay · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 4:11 pm

That picture you posted, Troysterr, looks very familiar to me from a couple of weekends ago. I, too, want to do something tubular in place of the plastic turn signal and foglight areas.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 5:27 pm

I suppose you could get mountable type of turn signals and mount them on the top of the tube. They would be very exposed to possible damage, though if you hit the tube, they would break regardless of how and where you mounted them. Very large steel tube could be possible if you make a cutout in the tube and place the signals in it but you would then weaken the tube.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:15 pm

Why couldnt the tubes be far enough apart to install some turn signals in between the tubes. I have been looking at LED lights for semis and they have several that would work in a case like that.
I have sketched out a couple of plans that I am going to discuss with my Uncle over the Christmas holidays to see if it is feasible. He may not have time right now to build but he builds and repairs stuff in the strip pits all the time.
Every time I am in front or under the front end I keep looking and think that it could not be that hard to do. Getting real close to ripping the front bumper off mine and start fabbing something! Last time I did something like that I used exhaust tubing to get my bends the way I wanted them and then took it all to a guy who used to fabricate bumpers and such back in the 70s and had him build them.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:43 pm

I guess if you use large steel tube and use like three rows, you could cut out the middle tube to fit the turn signals inside. They would break if you got hit in that area with the stock bumper and even with any other bumper....except for that Trail Ready looking bumper. It uses slits.

The look of the exposed parts of the front end is what I would be concerned with. Would it look like crap or fairly decent?

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:56 pm

in my plan, I plan to have 2 tubes with a thin gage metal bridging the tubes. in that I will mount the turn lights (looking at LEDs as mentioned above) and they will be flush with the surface, but the thin metal will be recessed from the tube.

(_)_p_
l 0__0l
l_/

The ( ) is headlight 0 is turn lense p is fender flare that is where tubing will wrap around
The tubes wrap around the front corner one light is forward, and one side.

The tubes hopefully will protect the lenses. Again, this is all just in my head for now... If I am lucky I may have it started by MOAB, but I need the rear done first... My wrist I have been told is permanent injury, so the tire MUST come off the roof.

chefdab · **Posted:** Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:53 am

Just a thought, but would it be possible to mount a TJ's front turn signal up inside our fender flare? That way you could cut the flare even with the grill and use any type of bumper you wanted without worrying about where to mount or causing damage to a turn signal.

Tube bumper possibilities

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