Custom Bumper Project

[Riff Raff]

MARLIN--- Here's a suggestion. Inside the two(2) vertical support bars directly in front of the grill/radiator area: Use heavy-duty black "Expanded Metal" instead of solid diamond plate. The Expanded Metal mesh will allow cooling-air to pass directly into the front radiator, while still offering frontal protection.

They make various levels of heavy-duty Expanded Metal mesh, and you could get some of the really beefy stuff that is used for truck "cab guards", etc. Do a internet search for "Expanded Metal" to get some ideas for various strength levels.

On the outer side corners of the two(2) vertical support bars (left-front & right-front), you could still use the solid black diamond plate for protection as originally planned.

[Marlin]

MARLIN--- Here's a suggestion. Inside the two(2) vertical support bars directly in front of the grill/radiator area: Use heavy-duty black "Expanded Metal" instead of solid diamond plate. The Expanded Metal mesh will allow cooling-air to pass directly into the front radiator, while still offering frontal protection.

They make various levels of heavy-duty Expanded Metal mesh, and you could get some of the really beefy stuff that is used for truck "cab guards", etc. Do a internet search for "Expanded Metal" to get some ideas for various strength levels.

On the outer side corners of the two(2) vertical support bars (left-front & right-front), you could still use the solid black diamond plate for protection as originally planned.

That is a great idea, I was going to drill 2.5" holes evenly spaced, about the same area as the factory front end, but your idea is better. Thanks for the tip.

[don moore]

Im not to sure on the Blue color for the bumper .......I think it will clash with the color of your VX.. maybe a black would look better.................hehe

[crotchrocket]

i think the 2.5" holes would look way better than mesh!! It'll make it look *****....the rally look willlook mean!!

[JoFotoz]

A suggestion...

(I kind of skip read the whole thread , so if this has been suggested , forgive me...)

At each front corner of the new bumper set up...
..... incorporate brackets / lugs ,whatever...that fit a hi lift off road jack.

One of my major issues has been safe ( high) lifting of the front end when off road...back is ok if you have a tow hitch.

jo

[Riff Raff]

CROTCHROCKET--- The Expanded Metal Mesh will look totally stealth and offer much better frontal air-cooling without any air restrictions whatsoever. Drilled holes are gonna' look like someone just drilled some holes-- really cheesy (swiss cheese; excuse the pun). In addition, a tight Expanded Metal Mesh pattern will prevent small rocks/stones from flying into the radiator and putting a hole/puncture into the radiator, as opposed to a big 2.5" drilled hole which will allow large stones/debris from possibly damaging the radiator. The Expanded Metal Mesh is the best way to go with better frontal protection from flying debris and better air-cooling capabilities. A cooler engine is a happier engine!!!

JO--- Nah, MARLIN doesn't need those silly hi-lift jack anchor points because he uses an "inflatable" exhaust-air jack, plus he'll have a front square receiver hitch incorporated into the front bumper for trickier recovery operations. Further; MARLIN doesn't plan on ever getting stuck, because he's got the awesome Grabber AT2 tires which go anywhere!!!

[Triathlete]

JO--- Nah, MARLIN doesn't need those silly hi-lift jack anchor points because he uses an "inflatable" exhaust-air jack, plus he'll have a front square receiver hitch incorporated into the front bumper for trickier recovery operations. Further; MARLIN doesn't plan on ever getting stuck, because he's got the awesome Grabber AT2 tires which go anywhere!!!

Those "inflatable jacks" work real well on nice flat areas. Anything else they are unstable and get nice holes when in rocks. Nothing is better than a good ole high lift!

[Riff Raff]

Those "inflatable jacks" work real well on nice flat areas. Anything else they are unstable and get nice holes when in rocks.

TRIATHLETE--- Now; that's funny, you got it totally backwards.

The "inflatable exhaust air jacks" work absolutely the best on uneven/sloped terrain and actually mold themselves perfectly between the vehicle and uneven ground like a giant pillow. The inflatable bags are pretty tough and durable as is, but additional protective liners like car-mats aid in puncture resistance. The inflatable air jacks absolutely excel in difficult recovery operations such as deep mud, where the wide footprint and high flotation of the air-bag is still able to lift the vehicle without submurging itself into the mud. In addition, the inflatable jack will not slip-off and lose its vehicle or ground contact point like a high-lift jack will. The inflatable exhaust jack is by far the safest and best jack to use in any off-road environment; it doesn't weigh squat, and it doesn't bounce around the truck interior causing possible damage or personal injury like a high-lift jack.

The high-lift jacks are the jacks that only work well on totally flat surfaces under perfect conditions. On unstable/sloped ground, the high-lift jack can easily slip-off the mounting point (ground contact point AND/OR vehicle contact point) when the added weight and stress is applied during the jacking process. When the resulting high-lift jack quickly pops out of place, it can immediately cause further vehicle damage, permanent injury or even death!!! The high-lift jacks are extremely dangerous when used in an unstabe off-road environment and are totally worthless in mud, as the jack will just bury itself deeper into the mud (wasted effort). The high-lift jack should only be used on a totally perfectly flat, non-muddy surface under the most ideal conditions. The high-lift jack is old world 20th Century technology, and has been replaced by the safer, more lightweight and durable state-of-the-art 21st Century exhaust air jack which has endless vehicle recovery capabilities.

[rowhard]

Those "inflatable jacks" work real well on nice flat areas. Anything else they are unstable and get nice holes when in rocks. Nothing is better than a good ole high lift!

Billy, we use to lift aircraft with those bags on very on even surfaces. Secret is is to lay a one inch felt pad on top and on the bottom and the nice thing about them felt pads is them lay flat where ever you put them.

[JoFotoz]

Inflatable...did look at that once..ONCE!

JO--- Nah, MARLIN doesn't need those silly hi-lift jack anchor points because he uses an "inflatable" exhaust-air jack, plus he'll have a front square receiver hitch incorporated into the front bumper for trickier recovery operations. Further; MARLIN doesn't plan on ever getting stuck, because he's got the awesome Grabber AT2 tires which go anywhere!!!

As Billy says..great on a flat scape...slow wherever!

PLUS..having 4 tail pipes on the ORW makes it all but impossible for me....


A central front tow hitch "square" will work fine....but given this is still on the drawing board...

..I'd include corner lift mount/holes too.

jo

[pbkid]

i think i would agree with welding in some mounts towards the corners for tow points/jack points...





especially how marlin drives....he is gonna need em