Cutting up the front supports

[OldSlowReliable]

 

So My reason in cutting the corners up on my new bumper is to give me more tire face in order to help get over objects....but I did not realize what the metal behind it was...

 

I am already planning on cutting that portion (just above and behind the factory foglights that have been removed) of the fender for a different reason, but can I cut the front facing sheet metal? It feels much more substantial as it is the rad support and all.....

 

j/w

Edited June 11, 2010 by OldSlowReliable

[GrimGreg]

Sure can:

[tmoore4512]

Too bad there is a bumper law here...and how much of a hypocrite would I be to remove the front bumper and ride around? Yea, I hate that crap...

 

Thinking about building me a bumper that is really a bumper...not a piece of junk that won't help with a front impact...

 

Have a winch lying in the shed, thought about sporting that...but with the weight of a bumper and a winch, wow the IFS would suffer for sure...

[OldSlowReliable]

Too bad there is a bumper law here...and how much of a hypocrite would I be to remove the front bumper and ride around? Yea, I hate that crap...

 

Thinking about building me a bumper that is really a bumper...not a piece of junk that won't help with a front impact...

 

Have a winch lying in the shed, thought about sporting that...but with the weight of a bumper and a winch, wow the IFS would suffer for sure...

Gotta say, my IFS doesn't feel any different with a buncha steel on the front, and my shotty fabrication is ALOT more slim-line than the stock bumper. Next time I have it off i'll weight it for ya!

 

 

IFS should be fine, although it may be springier, which can be resolved via new torsion bars from calmini (said to be HD)

 

and honestly, if I had started at 8 am and worked until dark I coulda done what I have done in one day, less if I knew what I was doing and had the right tools! it wasn't too difficult to make a simple bumper that once all dressed up (stinger, dring tabs, reinforcement) I could easily sell for 150-200 bucks!

[tmoore4512]

Hmmmm, how thick steel did you use?

 

I have made several bumpers, jeep and chevy stuff mostly...When I install the BL, I will have the factory bumper off, and can get a better idea of what it is going to take...

[MY1PATH]

make a line fron the 1/2" below 2nd bolt up from the bottom (where the fender meets the support) to the top of the stamped hole in the support. then another line from the iside edge of the that hole straight down. you can cut this corner out and also the fender @ this location to give plenty of apraoch clearance.

just don't jack youself up if you unsuspectingly strike the body mount just behind the hole. (try to avoid hitting it)

[GrimGreg]

make a line fron the 1/2" below 2nd bolt up from the bottom (where the fender meets the support) to the top of the stamped hole in the support. then another line from the iside edge of the that hole straight down. you can cut this corner out and also the fender @ this location to give plenty of apraoch clearance.

just don't jack youself up if you unsuspectingly strike the body mount just behind the hole. (try to avoid hitting it)

 

That is pretty much where I cut mine in that pic. I just used aviation shears, it's all sheet metal.

[daver123]

When i made myself a new bumper i trimmed my body back in much the same way to get better clearances and I have had no problem with the body structure becoming weak.

[OldSlowReliable]

Well after some thinking I decided I'm going to "rust convertor" it and paint it semi-gloss black....I don't want to tempt my luck by weakening it (I know it won't really though) and incase I ever decide to SAS and such, I may want to put some fresh fenders on that I would kinda want the lower bolt for...if that makes sense....

 

Plus, I won't gain a whole bunch of approach angle, and if I'm going to be approaching something that tall, I'll have ALOT more problems down the rest of the body, lol

[GrimGreg]

I cut mine just below the bolt between the inner and outer fender on the front, no issues. It does clear up a good bit of tire clearance.

 

[tmoore4512]

Grim that almost resembles a HMMV, makes me go back to the old days...think I am gunna have to do it!

[tmoore4512]

Well, got to pokin around and totally forgot that I had mounted the siren box in the driver side fender well...

 

That changes everything...son of a...

 

Where to move it...where to move it...

 

Okay, fab a new bumper with a spot for it...geez, this shouldn't be so difficult.

[GrimGreg]

Well, got to pokin around and totally forgot that I had mounted the siren box in the driver side fender well...

 

That changes everything...son of a...

 

Where to move it...where to move it...

 

Okay, fab a new bumper with a spot for it...geez, this shouldn't be so difficult.

Put it in the engine bay.

[tmoore4512]

Not a whole lot of room, was going to do that in the beginning. I am waiting for a few days off to install the body lift, then I will tackle a front bumper...(time permitting.) At that point I will see if there is a way to nonchalantly mount the box in the front of the vic where it should be, but still be hidden from prying eyes...heheh