Winch Bumper Progress Pics...

Tim C · 02-19-2006, 11:50 AM

I've been lurking for a while, looking for options for a winch bumper for my Titan. As there are not many options, and I've done a fair bit of fabrication before, I decided to build my own. Attached is a pic of its current state. I've still got to finish the bottom, weld/sand all of the joints, and bend up a piece of tube for a grill hoop.

If you've got pics of a bumper you've built, let's see em!

Waterfowler · 02-19-2006, 12:11 PM

Holy Mad Max Batman!

Somewhat industrial looking, but definitely looks tough. I'd like to see the finished product. Are there no winch bumbers out there that are halfway decent?

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 02-19-2006, 12:32 PM

WOW! Talk about completely ruining a nice looking truck!!!!

Vegas04 · 02-19-2006, 01:10 PM

designing and fabricating something like a bumper for your truck is a very hard thing to do. Good luck with finishing it up. It certainly looks better than this one:
New Titan 'twisted' OIW front bumper guard!!!

Waterfowler · 02-19-2006, 01:43 PM

There has to be a decent front bumper with a hitch out there for the Titan right? I'd love to have one on my truck even if it's just a little ugly, better than some *****-*** chrome thingie. I'll leave those to the guys crawl ever so softly over puddles of water , make jolting wide swerves when they see a plastic bag in the road, and park there trucks waaaaaaaaay in the back of the parking lot so it doesn't get its pretty paint job all messed up. It's a truck, function over beauty baby. But it'd be nice if you could have something both functional and good looking.

Fauch · 02-19-2006, 02:11 PM

Looks like its got potential! How heavy is it going to be??

Sammy Sandbag · 02-19-2006, 02:15 PM

I like it, it looks very similar to the Kennesaw Mountain bumper to me.

Tim C · 02-19-2006, 02:18 PM

Fauch-
It should be right around 100 lbs complete. The Mounts and the winch plate are 1/4", but the rest is 10 GA (.135"). I'll gusset it in a few key locations to keep it strong.

It'll look much nicer when it's finished and painted.

Sammy Sandbag · 02-19-2006, 02:26 PM

Are you going to have provisions for shackles or D-rings?

BTW, this is what I was talking about earlier: http://www.kenmtnac.com/WiNissan.html

pi3yeargrad · 02-19-2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy Sandbag

I like it, it looks very similar to the Kennesaw Moutain bumper to me.

thats what I was thinkin...

can u make me one?

Ill pay shipping

no winch though just a nice steel bumper...

I wish they made our bumper but just made of steel...Ive seen a excursion lifted with a steel bumper painted to match and looks like the excursion bumper (as close as u can made of steel) and the truck looks AWESOME

Bayou Titan · 02-19-2006, 02:47 PM

Tim C,

I love the looks of that bumper!!

Granted, it's not painted and all the weld burns show up but it's going to look great.

The broad center piece will not look so dominating once the winch is mounted.

Keep us posted with the progress.

Tim C · 02-19-2006, 05:29 PM

Sammy -
Yup, I'm familiar with the Kennesaw Mtn bumper. I liked their design, but I wanted to change a few things:
1. Didn't want to remove the factory cross member on the frame. Actually, there are 4 threaded holes in the front of this that I am using for my bumper mounts. In addition to these, I'm using the factory bumper mounting bolts as well.
2. I added a 1" chamfer across the entire top edge of the bumper. This helps clean the lines up IMHO.

3. I "skinned" the bumper in 10 gage, instead of 3/16" steel. the 10 gage will be plenty strong, and will be much lighter.

I'll post more pics as it comes along.

Tim C · 02-19-2006, 05:31 PM

Oh, and as for D-rings, I'm going to bolt some tow hooks to the bottom of the winch plate, then bring the factory skid plate up a few inches like Kennesaw MTN did.

Sammy Sandbag · 02-19-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim C

1. Didn't want to remove the factory cross member on the frame. Actually, there are 4 threaded holes in the front of this that I am using for my bumper mounts. In addition to these, I'm using the factory bumper mounting bolts as well.

Removal of a crossmember? I'm having a hard time visualizing what you're talking about. Do you have any pictures?

Quote:

2. I added a 1" chamfer across the entire top edge of the bumper. This helps clean the lines up IMHO.

Yeah, I noticed. Definately gives it a cleaner look. Are you going to add any coverage underneath similar to the Kennesaw bumper? I think that might add to the look. Keep up the good work and be sure to show some more pictures during your progress. I might have you make me one next time I'm in G-ville.

Tim C · 02-19-2006, 05:52 PM

http://www.kenmtnac.com/Titan.html
Here's Kennesaw's Build page. The front crossmember on the frame is removed to install their bumper. I'd rather leave it on, but I'll admit that the mounts are more difficult to do it this way.

I've attached a shot of it with the under pieces attached, welded, but not sanded yet.