Need help with my bumper build

Bofa-Deez

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Messages
500
Location
Deauville, LA
I need help from the community on my new bumper build. I have found the perfect replacement bumper for my TJ, but the Currie V Bumper has been discontinued. I have a knack for doing this, as when I found the perfect sliders, I discovered the Dropkick Slyders had been discontinued (link to slider build here.) So here we go again... I'm going to fabricate a clone of the Currie V bumper but their rarity leads to very few pictures to design and build off of. This is where I need you guys.

I'm looking to clone the 45" version and I know @dla has one and @Squatch is lusting for one. Any measurements you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated and I will document my build here on the forum.

This is the bumper I'm talking about and the white jeep belongs to @dla

Flat Bumper-3.PNG


Here is another (not sure if this is the same jeep as above)

Flat Bumper-4.PNG


Seems to be pretty simple and I will make a cardboard mock-up, but I still like to know some basic dimensions to start off with. I think the original version was 3/16" steel and would really appreciate some side shots (to get an idea of the bottom side angles) if anybody has any.

This is the bumper I will be replacing.
1569514581363.png


1569514627228.png


1569514694600.png


It was on the jeep when I bought it. It isn't horrible and its solid, but I wanted something a little more "compact."

I love opinions, so what do you guys think?
 
That Currie V-bumper is pure sex, and if you can properly recreate one, then I would definitely be interested. However, I don't know how anyone is going to get that tight radius where the face of the bumper and the top flow together. I mean, just look at that bumper. It's flippin' art, my friend! I will definitely be watching to see what you come up with, and I wish you all the success in the world (a rather self-serving sentiment, I know, but sincere, nonetheless!) ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: derekmac and dla
That Currie V-bumper is pure sex, and if you can properly recreate one, then I would definitely be interested. However, I don't know how anyone is going to get that tight radius where the face of the bumper and the top flow together. I mean, just look at that bumper. It's flippin' art, my friend! I will definitely be watching to see what you come up with, and I wish you all the success in the world (a rather self-serving sentiment, I know, but sincere, nonetheless!) ;)

I'm going to use 3/16" plate and leave a 1/16" root opening for full penetration there. With a little extra weld reinforcement and a 4" sanding disk, it should be a perfect 1/4" radius once the weld is grinded. I'll fit the forward plates to the flat plates first to ensure these fits are spot on before welding them!
 
  • Like
Reactions: matkal and Squatch
Are you taking orders?...lol

I always do, but you gotta remember that you are buying an American made product and I don't do this for a living. So basically, I calculate my material and beer costs, toss my time out the window and work for fee, calculate shipping, then come in with a quote that will make you realize why China owns the market.

I will make an exception for @Squatch because his lust for this bumper made me want one more and I want him to stop bugging @dla for his. 😂 If I can pull this off, his is on me if he covers shipping.
 
Last edited:
I always do, but you gotta remember that you are buying an American made product and I don't do this for a living. So basically, I calculate my material and beer costs, toss my time out the window and work for fee, calculate shipping, then come in with a quote that will make you realize why China owns the market.

I will make an exception for @Squatch because his lust for this bumper made me want one more and I want him to stop bugging @dla for his. 😂 If I can pull this off, his is on me if he covers shipping.
I would never allow someone to bust something like that out for free, though I appreciate the thought. This whole conversation just cracks me up! It's true, I lust after those bumpers. Hasn't been a single other Jeep-related item that has ever hooked me quite like the V-bumper. It's almost an unhealthy obsession, with me... ;)
 
So I did a little 3D modeling today and with the measurements I was given, plus what the computer model calculated, I have come up with these starting measurements. I'm going to bolt a square piece of 3/16" plate to the top of the frame rails, then make a plywood template. After the plate is bolted to the jeep, I will lay out the top plate using the template. The rest of the bumper will be fabricated by adding pieces to this top plate. That way things should stay square and true.
Bumper measurements.JPG


And the #D rendering is below. I know it looks a little boxy, but don't worry @Squatch , I promise this thing will be eye sex. It will flow like water when I am done with it. I can manipulate metal way better than I can navigate 3D software.

Bumper 1.JPG
Bumper 2.JPG
Bumper 3.JPG


As always, constructive criticism welcome
 
I need help from the community on my new bumper build. I have found the perfect replacement bumper for my TJ, but the Currie V Bumper has been discontinued.
You can thank Smittybilt for that. Currie made a very nice line of bumpers, rocks rails, and so other armor related stuff. It was all produced locally here in SoCal at a nice fab shop. 4 Wheel Parts took one of their bumpers off the shelf and shipped it to China to get knocked off. When it came back as a Smittybilt facsimile of the Currie product in only appearance at 1/3th the price, Currie said fuck it, not even going to try and compete with that bullshit and shut it down. Sad day for American manufacturing.

A buddy had one for sale for 200. I called him just now and he said he had to drop it to a 100 to move it.
 
You can thank Smittybilt for that. Currie made a very nice line of bumpers, rocks rails, and so other armor related stuff. It was all produced locally here in SoCal at a nice fab shop. 4 Wheel Parts took one of their bumpers off the shelf and shipped it to China to get knocked off. When it came back as a Smittybilt facsimile of the Currie product in only appearance at 1/3th the price, Currie said fuck it, not even going to try and compete with that bullshit and shut it down. Sad day for American manufacturing.

A buddy had one for sale for 200. I called him just now and he said he had to drop it to a 100 to move it.

That is sad. I hate it too, but I admit I can be hypocritical. I do have harbor freight tools. But I can tell you one thing, I build my own stuff so at least most of my parts are 100% made in the USA. I feel for people who don't have those skills.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squatch
That is sad. I hate it too, but I admit I can be hypocritical. I do have harbor freight tools. But I can tell you one thing, I build my own stuff so at least most of my parts are 100% made in the USA. I feel for people who don't have those skills.
I've always admired folks who can fabricate things on a more advanced level, be it in metal, wood, or some other medium. It's one thing to be able to make brackets, and the like, while doing repairs (as most of us have done), but the kind of stuff that I've seen folks on this forum doing is pretty amazing.
 
@mrblaine , if I am understanding this correctly, you have a friend with a Currie V-bumper for sale? If that's the case, and he would be willing to ship it, I would very much like to purchase it from him.

Sorry Squatch,
I read it as
he said he had to drop it to a 100 to move it
like already gooooone. But at least SOMEone SAY BOFFA will build you one. Now grant it it will be an american made knock-off clone of american made part if that means anything. :ROFLMAO: just poking at you.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Squatch
Sorry Squatch,
I read it as like already gooooone. But at least SOMEone SAY BOFFA will build you one. Now grant it it will be an american made knock-off clone of american made part if that means anything. :ROFLMAO: just poking at you.
LOL You're absolutely right. I guess my eyes glaze over, and I see what I want to see when it comes to these bumpers. I'm sure there was more than one face-palm out there after reading my response! Sorry, @mrblaine. Got myself all worked up, there. :rolleyes:
 
Sorry Squatch,
I read it as like already gooooone. But at least SOMEone SAY BOFFA will build you one. Now grant it it will be an american made knock-off clone of american made part if that means anything. :ROFLMAO: just poking at you.
Sorry Squatch,
I read it as like already gooooone. But at least SOMEone SAY BOFFA will build you one. Now grant it it will be an american made knock-off clone of american made part if that means anything. :ROFLMAO: just poking at you.

@Squatch is getting one of these. I don't care what he says or how hard he kicks and screams, my first run of these will be 2 bumpers and one will be for him.

The piece will be a quality one with smooth radiuses and Tig welded. I work as a certified quality inspector in the metal fabrication industry. He need not worry about the fit and finish of the final product 😉.

All I ask is that when someone asks where he got it, he says "down south from BofA Deez."

Seriously, having my own shop would be a dream. I do what I do with simple tools because I like doing it that way and for me, my time isn't money. I post it here to show others that with a cheap welder, a couple of grinders and sometimes a BFH, anyone can get it done if the planning is right.

God didn't grace me with much, but I have been building and designing shit since I was a kid. I happen to be blessed in life that I work every day at a job I absolutely love. It also helps that they usually let me raid the scrap bins.