The biggest things I would want from a bumper would be as follows:

-Lightweight
-Winch Mount
-Design similar to FX4Wannabe's or Road Armor's
-Foglight cutouts for STOCK foglights
-Options on grill protection/not
-Enough adjustability in the mounting points to allow for about a 1" body lift from stock.

I'd be all over a kit if it was sold. That would intensely help out on shipping and save some money. I've got access to all the stuff to build a bumper, just not enough time to go out and fart around with making one, haha.

Or I'd just want a b1tchin' Ranch Hand bumper set like for full-size trucks!

 

can you post pictures of the "pre runner" style bumper that are close up? and more of where the skid plate is mounted at? and also, is the skid plat thick enough to tap some threads into it to bolt the licsense plate too? threaded plate with a jam nut on the back would hold it on through all kinds of abuse

 

Here is how the lower skid plate mounts.



Here is a better image of how both mount. It looks like the lower skid could be higher but it's already above the front crossmember thing so no point in having it hug my radiator. Even if my front bumper barley clears something my rear will drag. That hitch it strong stuff. I've practiced using it as a jack point a few times and it didn't even flex at all with the front end in the air.


The skid plates are aluminum. You can bolt a license plate on the front if you wanted to. You can see how thick they are in the first picture.

 

the only thing i see is maybe some support for the lower part of the skid plate maybe a loop that comes front to back from the bottom of the bumper incase you were to land on some rocks. at least it couldnt smash the radiator


JOSH

 

I think you might like our next prototype, kind of a combo tube/plate bumper with a winch plate, I am nailing down a good aluminum bender before we go foward. I did see a plate one in this thread that was nicer but the skid support seemed to be missing? It was just hanging from a couple of tabs? Was that a skid plate made just for looks? It would fold up on the first impact.

The Red Ranger with the plate bumper was nice too but we are trying to get away from the stock size (Huge) and trim it down for clearance, it dosen't matter if you are desert running or rock crawling, clearance is the only absolute requirement as I see it.

 

That skid plate is plenty strong. That aluminum is around 1/8 -1/4 thick. I told the guys I didn't want a support there for ease of working one the truck. Mine is fully welded on. There is no taking it off. If for some reason I needed to drop my radiator or someting I can. The chances of me hitting it are on the slim side in my opinion. Look at the picture below. If I were to hit that skid I'd tear off my front lower crossmember thing. If a rock were it hit it, the rock would first have to take out the lower tube which isn't happening unless the truck is totaled. I have it there to protect my radiator. Mainly from debris, snow, and water. Just like off-roading, the pictures don't do it justice.




The lower tube^^^^

 

i really like that bumper.. infact thats the same shape i was makin for my own ( i dont like the tall ones that go up above the bumper) but i was more worried about comming down on top of a rock and hitting the radiator not so much debris from the front cause the tube is strong. and a blown radiator wont let you get very far. a bent crossmember you can limp a long way

is your truck stock heigth?

JOSH

 

thatd be so tight!

 

Kyle's got it dead on for what i'm looking for. I completely forgot to mention the use of STOCK foglites. I've had that idea for about a year now...to incorporate the stock fogs....never actualy mentioned it. Kyle, you hit the nail on the head.

 

Just curious, why do you guys want stock fog lights? I love my long range KC's and I'd like to get two more except the other two would be flood lights or fog lights. Aren't the KC fogs brighter/better than the stock? I haven't compared.

 

This bumper looks pretty awesome! I'd change a few things but overall very nice. It looks like there is room for a winch too. It looks like there is a spot for the fairlead possibly?

 

I want something like this.

 

Those bumpers are from some company in Argentina. I'd tear off my current bumper for one of those beauties!

 

id like to see the same ^^^ just not chrome.. always remember.. chrome wont getcha home :)

 

We are finally trying to do 2 more today, maybe 3 if we can......




We made it so a winch would easily fit behind it, actually Rangers have a ton of room for winches while retaining clearance.......I really like the 2" tubing, makes it different, now back to work......

 

looks good

 

Is there any room in your design for a 2" reciever?
If there was, or even some stout hooks I'd be down for one.

 

Use the stock foglights because you've already got 'em! No sense in taking them off because your bumper doesn't have a place for them anymore. I've got a set of flood-light PIAA 520 series also. Between foglights, PIAAs, headlights, and high beams, I've got ample sources of light for what I'll be using my truck for.

 

That is the basic design I'm going to be doing for a front bumper. I'm working on the cardboard design now, then once finished I'm taking that design to my school to 'bring it to life'. I'm also going to be fabbing up some half doors as well.

Brenton

 

I guess your not selling your Ranger after all?

 

Nope, it's a little harder to sell than I thought so I guess I'm going to keep the baby.

Brenton

 

I already started on mine... I like that grille cutout though. On my design, the top of the bumper is all one level. I'll have to look at dropping that area... it's a little more work but really accents the Ranger nose. I am also cutting up a Westin Grille Guard and integrating it into the bumper. Check it out at:

http://www.justtruckin.net/pages/bumper.html

 

I like having mine for when I am driving at night. When I am driving off road at night I like to have as many lights on as possible.

 

so when do get to some more of these bumpers? :)

 

yeah im gonna want one....