Bumper side protectors

[Peteasauras]

I'm fabing a front bumper for the '70. The front bars are 2x4 tubing. I'm thinking of mittering the corner and having the 2x4 run around the side of the fender to the wheel opening. This will protect the side fender but it will increase my overall truck width by 4 inches. The other option I was thinking is just make some 3/8 inch side plates in the same area, or do nothing.

Any opinons? More clearance or more protection?

 

[Peteasauras]

Ok, maybe some pic's will entice comments. Here is the center section of the bumper. I wanted the winch set back as far as possible. It sticks out about two inches past the frame. I'll use 2x4 tubing to go out to the fenders. The blue tape shows what will be cut out.

 

[kgblazerfive]

What are your plans to do with it when its running, what type of wheeling

 

[Yukon Jack]

I think the 2x4 tubing on the sides will look very bulky. The 3/8" plate would probably look good and be functional on the side for some protection. Having it taper down as you go back towards the fender opening would probably give it a good look.

 

[Peteasauras]

What are your plans to do with it when its running, what type of wheeling

Mixed use, but definately rock crawling in AZ and lots of runnnig against brush and small branches. I'm most concerned about slipping in the rocks and slaming down on the front fender corner.


I agree the 2x4 would be bulky.

 

[bp71k5]

You might be able to fit the 2x4 so it fits kinda flush with the line on the front of the fender.

Just take the current chunk of 2x4 that's on there and drop it down about 2" and move it back about 2" so the visible part is flush.

This doesn't do anything for the fenders, but maybe you could find a way to wrap the corner a bit with some plate.

 

[bigblock72]

The best way to have a bumper wrap around and still look good IMO is to cut the front fenders which also give you a lot more room for tires. I run 37s with 4-5 inches of lift and have only cut the front off of the front fender. If you cut it to where it lines up with the bottom of the grill it will look good.

 

[vtblazer]

I retained the factory bumper and built a secondary tube bumper behind it for the necessary additional strength, cause we all know how strong the stock bumpers are.

I'm betting you could do the same with your winch tucked in as far as you have it.

Liking bigblock's set up too though.

 

[Peteasauras]

More progress. I got the front section tacked together.

 

[Big Blzn]

The best way to have a bumper wrap around and still look good IMO is to cut the front fenders which also give you a lot more room for tires. I run 37s with 4-5 inches of lift and have only cut the front off of the front fender. If you cut it to where it lines up with the bottom of the grill it will look good.

Hijack--- Bigblock, could you give me some info in that front bumper. I really like that. Who made it? How can I get one. Looks real nice. What winch do you have behind it. Any close up pics of the bumper and also of the fender cutting? Would like to see the back or underside of the cut front fender too.

Also, are you rubbing much with the 37" meats on the rear? I have about 4" of lift on my '72 with 35" BFG's and tend to rub a bit in the front lip/corner of the rear wheel well.
Thanks, Hoby

 

[Peteasauras]

Bigblock, Agreed, nice bumper, I would like more pics also. Do you rub in the rear with 37", or did you cut the fenders there also?

 

[bigblock72]

The front bumper is one I made a few years ago, it has a Milemarker 12k winch bolted to it. I will try and get some pictures of the front fenders and bumper as soon as I can.

The rear wheel openings are uncut. I moved the axle back about an inch to keep the tires from rubbing. The tires do rub lightly all the way around the wheel opening in extreme flex but only enough to rub the paint off. I need to build some bump stops to stop the rub and make my springs last a little longer.

The front axle is moved forward an inch and a half, the front tires barely rub the back of the wheel opening under extreme flex. I'm running 8 inch wheels which helps a lot on the front, If you're running 10s then you'll want to move the front axle a little farther forward or move your bumpstops down a little.