There are several posts here about bumpers. I am no terrific welder but do have a mig. I am kinda just learning to weld but found it pretty easy to fab up a couple bumpers. I think they look cool, especially the front. I have i some pics and am trying to figure out how to post them. I have about $140 in materials.
Here are the pics. Yes, I have done several other mods. I waited for this truck for months so by the time I got it, I had saved the money and went hog wild! The wheels are off an internet site and that was a whole issue as well. They are 14" and similar to what some sponsors here sell. I just got them elsewhere. I used a 2" lift but it didn't work as the struts on the newer trucks are large and hit the tires. I therefore built my own and it works flawlesly. It took about a month to figure it out though. Basically, I cut off the brackets off the bottom of the struts and welded on an extension. Then replaced the mounting brackets. THis added 2".
The truck is a 2000 Carry. The plastic bumper hangs down a bit. There is an angled piece of metal behind it. I just trimmed about 1 1/2 inches off of the plastic part. There was a molded edge there so I just followed it. It is just plastic and leaves a nice clean edge. I just used a dremel tool with a little cutter blade. I just bought the rectangle steel and cut it on 3 sides to bend the ends back. THen I welded it back up. Then I cut the angles on the ends. I welded a flat piece to cover the angled part on the bottom. I wanted to spray it with bed liner but that will cost more than the bumpers themselves. The back is just 4" square stock that I welded ends on.
I would love to sell them but I am not a professional and think I kinda lucked out getting everything even and square. Not sure I could do it again, even though I would kike to think so. I would be happy to measure it out though and send that to you. I just cut a template out of cardboard and changed that until I got what I liked. The front really is not very heavy. THe hardest part was figuring how to mount it. I am sure every truck model is different too. It is a little low but I didn't want to cover the grill openings. Thought about putting a bar up and across the front to protect the front a little. What does everyone think.
Thanks...we will be sporting this and much more at the Truck Rally coming up next month. All our bumpers have the ability to swing down for spare tire access. [/IMG]
Nice work! Love the incorporated tow hooks on the rear. It's nice to see more and more options becoming available for the MT's where there used to be nothing of quality. We have a couple options available now here: Brush Guards & Bumpers We're also working on a brand new design front bumper/brush guard with incorporated receiver hitch. I'll post more once all of the tweaks are done because we'll have more time to focus on the cab cage thats in development as well.
On the rear bumpers, when you fold the tailgate down, what does the tailgate rest on to keep it from getting beat up?
You are right, my design allows the tailgate to rest on the bumper. I looked at several different options such as rubber stoppers. In the end I just gave up. I am very careful about resting the tailgate on the bumper. I usually just slide it off. No big deal.
Yeah, This is a problem. On mine I made it so that when I have the rubber receiver cover in the receiver the tailgate will rest on that to protect it.
I was wondering if somebody could post where the best mounting points are on the mid-90's Carrys. I want to get into the fabrication of this and that's were I would like to start.
About the situation with the tailgate resting on the bumper. I saw a guy that took a piece of chain and put eye bolts on the sides and the tailgate. One end of the chain had an S-hook on it so he could remove the chain if he needed to. Basically, it functioned just like a pickup truck tailgate; but the main advantage was that if you wanted to fold the side down you could, and the chain kept it from falling down (and hitting what would be the fender flare on my truck). I plan on making this mod to mine after I finish the bumpers.
I would like to fab up a front and rear bumper with 2 " recievers so you can wire up the winch with quick disconnects from the front to the back. the winch would sit on a bracket to be able to move
I did just that. I have since modified my bumpers from the pictures. I have modified the truck quite a bit too. I will try and post new pictures.
I have since made changes to my front bumper. If you click on my member name, you can see them posted there.
I did this with mine,and it works out awesome! Gives you a cpl more options than just having it permanently mounted on the front,and its cool to be able to take the winch and receiver plate and drop them in a locking tool box to prevent theft.