Homemade Bumpers?

Mike_H

autos are better - WRWD508
Original poster
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Feb 28, 2017
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Location
Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Anyone done it? I really like these JCR ones, The crusader mid width for front

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and the Crusader Rear

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But i REALLY don't wanna drop close to a grand on bumpers. So, being the clever engineer that I am, I'm going to design something similar. My Uncle happens to run a fab shop, so getting them built won't be an issue. He has an 06, so I think there will be a pair of bumpers made!

Anyway, I can measure myself, but time being as scarce as it is, if anyone has the measurements of the bumper mounts, or a model of the frame they'd like to share, I'd sure appreciate it.

I've searched here, and on google. I've got some dimensions, but the more independently verified information, the better when it comes to the internets...
 
JCR has DIY bumper kits for like $150

Basic and plain Jane, comes pre cut and just needs bent where the tabs are then welded.

That's the route I was gonna go..takes most of the guess work out of fitting it properly and any modifications I want to add are free game :)

https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/DIY-SWB-F.html
I like that simple design, it would look good on a Jeep while not looking gaudy or like a battering ram. The only issue is bending the steel, not many have a brake capable of bending 3/16" steel.

Edit: Chayton describes below that the steel is pre-cut where the bends are so it would be easy to bend afterall.
 
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Have you thought about using 2x4 tubular steel? Probably the simplest starting material to make a bumper out of.
 
I have JCR bumpers on my XJ. I bought them from a guy who had them shipped "flat" to Canada. Being shipped flat was a big savings. He said they were very easy to bend and weld together. He just clamped them to a bench then clamped a pair of vice grips to them and manhandled them into shape.

They have some nice designs (simple in this case) and I was happy to get them from him. If you're into XJ's here they are. I have some adjustments to make to the rear one but you can get the idea. I also have to fabricate some metal flares and do a few other things to how my XJ is seen attached but it's coming along.

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I built the front bumper for my old XJ, nothing fancy, I found a real basic plan online for a winch bumper and went off of that. I just made the two main mounts, bolted them to the Jeep and built the rest of it on the Jeep. It looked pretty good and all I paid for was the fog lights and the paint, it was all 3/16 scrap steel. I'll post more pictures when I find them.

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Reactions: Chayton and Mike_H
Yeah, I saw the DIY ones. They're OK, but I like the looks of the crusader better. They are a little plain jane. Its OK if that's what you like, but I want some style.
I don't have to worry about doing heavy metal fab in my home garage...My uncle's shop can bend, form and die cut up to 1/4," last I checked. I don't think they have a laser, yet.
 
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JCR has DIY bumper kits for like $150

Basic and plain Jane, comes pre cut and just needs bent where the tabs are then welded.

That's the route I was gonna go..takes most of the guess work out of fitting it properly and any modifications I want to add are free game :)

https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/DIY-SWB-F.html


You're near battle creek, right? Any good wheeling down that way? All the state game areas around here have been closed off.