Bumper fab info?

[GOVT1911]

Anyone know any good fabrication websites for bumpers/gear racks? I've got an 88 'burban and a 97 Jeep TJ that I'd like to put some decent bumpers and spare tire/fuel/cargo racks on and I'm just too cheap to spend $700-800 dollars on buying each one. Figure I can build them to suit me and do it quite a bit cheaper. I just purchased a medium duty mig welder and have a little experience (4 yrs of welding in HS, but that was like 16 yrs ago). I figured I could look at some designs and modify them to suit what I'm looking for.
I'm thinking about a swing away type rack to hold my spare and maybe 2 fuel cans. Lots of bumper plans out there but always looking for better/useful designs.

[Ryder]

Don't know of any websites dealing with fabrication, but what I'd do is visit some of the 4x4 accessories websites and look at what they are offering for sale there and copy/modify to suit using larger thicker wall pipe. :)

[Dr. X]

I don't know about websites but for what it's worth, I find my designs by checking out others that have the features I'm looking for. Most Jeepers aren't averse to letting you check out their kagewerk. If yer lucky enough to find one that you want to copy exactly, just make up some cardboard templates of the sideplate (for a bumper) If you already know how to fab and have a welder the only hard part is getting the sideplates cut right which usually takes a plasma cutter. (This also makes cutting the holes for whatever tubing or channel you want to use a snap.) The rear carriers are a breeze as the hinge attachment points are the hardest thing to fab. The rest is just channel. I use surplus holders to keep the go-juice cans onboard...

as ever,
Dr. X

[411man]

Try these sites.

http://www.jddistributing.com/

http://www.autoanything.com/bumpers/20A50638A1.aspx?kc=YC463

http://www.truckworld.com/NewProducts/1hpBump.html

http://www.stealthoffroad.com/

http://www.buckstop.biz/

http://www.wardoutdoors.com/

http://www.tjmbullbars.com/

http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/road-armor-stealth-bumpers-chevy-gmc.htm

http://www.fabfours.com/Front%20Full%20Size%20Winch%20Bumpers%20Dodge%2020 03%20Winch%20Bumper%20A1050

http://www.offroadtechinc.com/

http://truck.hownd.com/newproducts-30-bumpers/

http://www.truckaccessoriesdirect.com/bull-nose-front-bumpers.html

http://www.warn.com/truck/index.shtml

http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/bumper/frontbumper.htm

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/body/131_0503_off_road_truck_body_armor_guide/taillight_gaurd_front_bumpers.html

http://www.reunel.com/

If you do a search for winches and bumpers you will find more sources.

[caduckgunner]

Check out www.ck5.com for info on your Suburban, and www.jeepforum.com or www.pirate4x4.com for your jeep. These sights are full of info.

[Andy the Aussie]

Govt.....racks are great, I went the the commercial route with mine, ARB bar out front with ARB siderails and steps. Out back I have a Kaymar twin pivot rear bar/yow hitch with a wheel carrier (camp/work light mounted to this) on the right. I will get around to the fuel/water can carrier sooner or later. You will wonder how you did without 'em all. The ARB bullbar has bounced more than a couple of 'Roos and Emus at speed with no apparent damage....side rails have stopped the flip arounds getting the front panels.

Andy