View Full Version : my new bumper
orion
08/30/2009, 05:13 PM
new bumper is 4x2 11ga steel tubing, notched and bent to follow the now cut in half cladding.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0429.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15725)
front receiver in new bumper
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/100_0425.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15730)
mount brackets to frame
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0426.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15724)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/100_04341.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15731)
lower cladding will attach to bottom and be removable for wheeling
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0432.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15727)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_04331.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15728)
i should have good ground clearance
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0431.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15726)
I will be adding led turn signals in the round holes cut in the steel. the old turn signals in the lower cladding will house driving lights. I'll be adding a skid plate from the steel bumper to the front of the skid bar front plate. should have every thing done by the end of the week.
Triathlete
08/30/2009, 05:26 PM
Looks good!
snowtrooper1966
08/30/2009, 05:43 PM
Now that's how I would integrate a bulletproof bumper into the front of a VX! Looks like a ton of work, but the final result was worthy. I wonder about painting the bumper to match the proton yellow.....
orion
08/30/2009, 05:46 PM
have not decided what color to paint it yet, yellow has crossed my mind.
Marlin
08/30/2009, 05:46 PM
Very nice. I will hopefully have mine done in the next week or so.
How did you bend 11ga square tubing? That is the one thing I can't do, and it kills me. At least I am no longer alone....way to make mine look bad:)
orion
08/30/2009, 05:49 PM
I just cut notches in the back, bent it and welded the seem.
Marlin
08/30/2009, 05:53 PM
I just cut notches in the back, bent it and welded the seem.
What did you bend it with? I am looking at my 12ga and 8ga tubing, and there is no way I am bending that, with notches cut out or not. What type of steel did you use?
tomdietrying
08/30/2009, 05:55 PM
Orion,
How long has this project been going on? When I saw the thread I assumed it was Marlin's. When I saw the pics I thought Marlin changed his plan up. I didn't realize it was your until I saw Marlin reply.
BTW - Very nice workmanship!
Peace.
Tom
orion
08/30/2009, 06:11 PM
The tubing is just mild steel , i bent it by hand. it wasn't easy, but it can be done .
this project has taken about 10 hours over 4 days. you haft to realize i have every tool you would need at my job. and I've done stuff like this before.
Now that's how I would integrate a bulletproof bumper into the front of a VX! Looks like a ton of work, but the final result was worthy. I wonder about painting the bumper to match the proton yellow.....
X 2 !!!
Lookin' Great Greg, nice approach angle...:thumbup:...:_wrench:
VX KAT
08/30/2009, 09:37 PM
Greg that looks awesome, that's the best lookin' VX front bumper out there! You're a genius! It completely keeps the sexy VX lines yet makes it a tank at the same time! That's the first I've ever seen like that! :::P:::E:::R:::F:::E:::C:::T:::!:::!:::!:::
Congrats! :thumbup: Way to go! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I want one!!
Riff Raff
08/31/2009, 02:07 AM
Greg that looks awesome, that's the best lookin' VX front bumper out there! You're a genius! It completely keeps the sexy VX lines yet makes it a tank at the same time! That's the first I've ever seen like that! :::P:::E:::R:::F:::E:::C:::T:::!:::!:::!:::
Congrats! :thumbup: Way to go! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I want one!!
ORION (Greg)--- x2. I concur 100% with VX-KAT. If somehow you could make that Front Bumper into a "KIT FORM" and market it for sale to the rest of us, it would undoubtably be a hot seller!!! Your engineering, craftsmanship, and fabrication skills are incomprehensible, along with your speed of accomplishment. The front bumper is extremely beefy, clean and sexy looking, while maintaining the sweet lines of the VX. I can't wait to see your incorporation of the front skid-plate project. Simply stellar.
An idea for a possible front bumper color is "Extreme Chrome" (powder-coat). This is actually a powder-coat paint color, and is basically a clone-chrome (without the expense of real chrome-plating).
EDIT: In looking in your Photo Gallery; before you fabricated your current front bumper, I noticed you had an earlier version of just a square receiver hitch stealthy mounted behind the front license plate opening. This is way cool. For those of us that want an instant bumper, a Nerf Bar Style Step Bumper could be easily inserted in the front hitch license plate opening. Much like the same way many VX'ers currently use their rear receiver hitch for the Nerf Bar Style Step Bumper. In that regard, the VX would have identical "matching" front & rear bumpers and easily removed if so desired. Having said that, perhaps you could just make a "KIT FORM" front receiver hitch package identical to your stealth license plate opening version (without the bumper). Thus, us layman type VX folks could just insert the commercially available Nerf Bar Style Step Bumper in the stealth front receiver hitch license plate opening for an instant front bumper. Genious.
Sidebar Note for VX member "Travelin2"-- see John, if you had a front bumper like that with a square receiver hitch in front, then you could easily tow the VX behind your MotorHome camper. Hmmm, time to ponder.
Marlin
08/31/2009, 02:22 AM
The tubing is just mild steel , i bent it by hand. it wasn't easy, but it can be done .
this project has taken about 10 hours over 4 days. you haft to realize i have every tool you would need at my job. and I've done stuff like this before.
Tools...I am buying mine as I go, and certainly do not have the skill and experience you have. I don't think I can bend mine the same way, it is all LAHS steel. I will experiment this evening though.
Once again, it looks amazing!!!!
crotchrocket
08/31/2009, 02:59 AM
Looks great!! certainly something i'd be interested. I've been looking at making the geolander bull bars but now i'm torn! Any chance of a quick sketch and some dimensions ?? :D
Marlin
08/31/2009, 04:06 AM
Wanna fly out and help me with mine? :bgwb:
tom4bren
08/31/2009, 04:40 AM
Orion,
That looks fantastic. I don't think I'd go with the yellow paint tho. IMHO, keep it black to blend in with the cladding.
Impressive work.
Tom
CrnCnn
08/31/2009, 07:31 AM
Winner Winner chicken dinner.
I like that. It doesn’t intrude on the lines of the VX and looks stout. Any chance you will be offering replicas for sale? :happyface
There ya go! Good work, Greg... good to see function coexist with form like this. Bending square tubing isn't all that tough, getting the cuts straight and the seams to fit tightly is the toughest part and it looks like you did a great job with that! THUMBS UP! It'll be good to see it with some paint!
new bumper is 4x2 11ga steel tubing, notched and bent to follow the now cut in half cladding.
I will be adding led turn signals in the round holes cut in the steel. the old turn signals in the lower cladding will house driving lights. I'll be adding a skid plate from the steel bumper to the front of the skid bar front plate. should have every thing done by the end of the week.
nfpgasmask
08/31/2009, 08:55 AM
I think just goes to show that you Proton guys are the most daring.
I personally, could never imagine taking a cutting device to my front cladding!! :eek:
But, this looks clean, and well planned. Nice job!
Bart
nfpgasmask
08/31/2009, 09:21 AM
You know, Greg, I was just looking at your photos a little closer.
Now, you plan to attach the lower cladding piece under the bumper. Have you considered trimming the lower cladding piece so that it looks a little close to the original size/proportion of the front end? I think it looks a little "fat" up there the way you have it, but if you cut it down to just below the turn signal holes, it would probably be about the same size as original. I suppose then you would need to integrate some sort of turn signal hole in the metal bumper, but just from an aesthetics point of view, something to consider. I have no idea if that would interfere with your plans to attach the lower peice. Anyway, just a random thought.
:D Bart
Triathlete
08/31/2009, 12:51 PM
I think just goes to show that you Proton guys are the most daring.
I personally, could never imagine taking a cutting device to my front cladding!! :eek:
Bart
"Us" Ebony guys did that part a long time ago...:bwgy:
I think that bumper would look good in black chrome. Of course plain old flat black is much easier to touch up when the rocks start to remove the paint!
BED LINER ALL CLADDING! :yesy:
nfpgasmask
08/31/2009, 01:14 PM
"Us" Ebony guys did that part a long time ago...:bwgy:
Yeah, but Billy, you did that because you got in a wreck, right? :D
BED LINER ALL CLADDING! :yesy:
Hmmm, now I think you might be on to something there!
Bart
tom4bren
08/31/2009, 01:21 PM
BED LINER ALL CLADDING! :yesy:
The more I live with the LineX'd hood insert, the more I think about doing all the cladding.
Jolly Roger VX'er
08/31/2009, 02:22 PM
Nicely done Greg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! Keep us up to date on the finishing touches!
orion
08/31/2009, 02:28 PM
The lower cladding is still in the planning stage. i will likely trim it down some to get the lines to match better.
I already plan to line-x the cladding some day. I'm leaning towards dark gray metallic for the bumper, some color as my wheels.
and Marlin, your doing just fine for your first fab job, I'd like to forget my first attempt. it was a monstrosity of a brush gard on an AMC Eagle wagon. i think i burned the pictures.:bwgy:
Jolly Roger VX'er
08/31/2009, 02:38 PM
I already plan to line-x the cladding some day. I'm leaning towards dark gray metallic for the bumper, some color as my wheels.
If you decide to paint the steel bumper dark gray to match perhaps check out Kubota's dark gray spray paint for the tractor frames they paint. I bought some a while back and was thinking (not out loud...lol) that not only would the color look good but it seems quite durable and has an almost "plastic" like feel to it.
LittleBeast
08/31/2009, 02:44 PM
WOW, nicely done! I would drive the VX to you to have this done for sure. Great job!
Knivx
08/31/2009, 03:33 PM
It's as if you did exactly what i've been envisioning and wanting to do ever since i bought my vx! :_beer: If you do ever plan on mass production put me on that list! In my opinion i'd leave the lower cladding off and somehow convert the fog lights into turn signals. That was always my plan.
Triathlete
08/31/2009, 04:07 PM
It's as if you did exactly what i've been envisioning and wanting to do ever since i bought my vx! :_beer: If you do ever plan on mass production put me on that list! In my opinion i'd leave the lower cladding off and somehow convert the fog lights into turn signals. That was always my plan.
For turn signals could also sink 4-6 led's in each side of the bumper. Flush mount them and they would hardly be noticable.
Yeah, but Billy, you did that because you got in a wreck, right?
Yes...crash! But I have a brand spanking new piece sitting in my garage!:bwgy:
pbkid
09/01/2009, 11:50 AM
greg- looks awesome! doesnt really surprise me though after the amazing job you did on our skid plates.... once again, you did it right....
LittleBeast
09/03/2009, 03:13 PM
Because I am jealous of this bumper and want one! And everyone should see this and dream up some new possibilities for the front and rear. It is possible to do.....
orion
09/03/2009, 06:22 PM
here she is ready for priming.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_04351.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15801)
all painted, turn signal lights in.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_04381.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15804)
license plate holder in, forgot to get picture with the hook in it.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_04361.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15802)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_04371.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=15803)
next i need to get a lower skid plate, then I'll start fitting the lower bumper.
VX KAT
09/03/2009, 06:59 PM
That is just looking incredible! Way to go!:thumbup:
Marlin
09/03/2009, 07:05 PM
What is the rough weight?
Triathlete
09/03/2009, 07:12 PM
Looks good Orion. Are you going to add any gusseting to the rear and mount?
orion
09/03/2009, 07:13 PM
I'm guessing around 50 lbs tops. i meant to weight it, I'll take it off and check.
no gusseting needed, the mount plates are 1/2 in thick and welded thick. the receiver is welded on both sides.
Greg...that's pure sweetness...:thumbup:
JOB WELL DONE ! ! !
:yes:...:LineWave:...:yes:
don moore
09/03/2009, 11:48 PM
looks great you going to do the back now???
vt_maverick
09/04/2009, 07:16 AM
That's just sick...
LittleBeast
09/04/2009, 08:37 AM
Nicely done :clap:
handeeman
09/04/2009, 12:19 PM
I like it too.
tomdietrying
09/05/2009, 04:33 PM
Great job! Would you tell us the length of each section is and what degree of bend you used for each?
Peace.
Tom
VCrossfan
09/05/2009, 06:15 PM
Hat's off ! ! ! Looks Great ! ! !
Amnesia
01/06/2010, 07:20 PM
I want one of those.... but with a winch mount too!! That ROCKS!
Excellent job!
tom4bren
01/07/2010, 03:17 AM
Orion - that looks great. That bumper should really be complimented with more wheel offset though:)
orion
01/07/2010, 02:58 PM
I agree, i ordered some 6 inch wheel spacers, that should do it. :bwgy:
I agree, i ordered some 6 inch wheel spacers, that should do it. :bwgy:
JC Whitney?...:thumbup:
Also, be careful, those will add a lot of rotational mass & unsprung weight...:yesgray:
JC Whitney?...:thumbup:
Also, be careful, those will add a lot of rotational mass & unsprung weight...:yesgray:Yeah, good point. I think he should just swap in the front diff and a-arms from a full size Chevy instead. Widetrack and better strength and better braking... :yeso: then he could use a dually rear axle to match too! :)
Triathlete
01/07/2010, 05:50 PM
Yeah, good point. I think he should just swap in the front diff and a-arms from a full size Chevy instead. Widetrack and better strength and better braking... :yeso: then he could use a dually rear axle to match too! :)
Why stop there...ROCKWELLS!
tom4bren
01/08/2010, 05:33 AM
:drool2:
Yeah, good point. I think he should just swap in the front diff and a-arms from a full size Chevy instead. Widetrack and better strength and better braking... :yeso: then he could use a dually rear axle to match too! :)
:drool2:HAHAHA! You would like that idea... freaky deaky!
Why stop there...ROCKWELLS!Man, what's wrong with you - why would you want to do that?! :bgwo:
Triathlete
01/08/2010, 01:36 PM
Man, what's wrong with you - why would you want to do that?! :bgwo:
If your going for offset from hell you might as well go all the way...why halfass it?:rotate::laughing:
If your going for offset from hell you might as well go all the way...why halfass it?:rotate::laughing:True enough! There you have it, Orion needs Rockwells! And he shouldn't have any acceleration issues with that extra weight bcuz he performed the electric fan upgrade that adds more throttle response! :naughty::badhorse:
tom4bren
01/08/2010, 02:26 PM
True enough! There you have it, Orion needs Rockwells! And he shouldn't have any acceleration issues with that extra weight bcuz he performed the electric fan upgrade that adds more throttle response! :naughty::badhorse:
BWAAHAAHAA!!!!
orion
01/08/2010, 05:46 PM
now how am i going to surprise everyone with my mods if you guys keep telling everyone about them :mady:
Scott Harness
01/09/2010, 10:28 AM
I don't know how I missed this thread!?!
FANTASTIC!! looks great! I want one:supercool
orion
03/05/2010, 09:08 AM
Rear bumpers done ! now i know its not the prettiest thing, but this end needed to be more functional. and having been almost rear ended twice this winter i wanted a little more beef back there ( wow, that sounds dirty :bwgy:)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0457.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16926)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0460.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16929)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0462.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16930)
And i finally got the lower bumper mounted up front. i still need to install fog lights in the old turn signal holes.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0458.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16927)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/100_0459.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16928)
...and having been almost rear ended twice this winter i wanted a little more beef back there ( wow, that sounds dirty :bwgy:)
BUWAHAHAHA! You sadistic cusser! Too funny. I'm a bit surprised you did the rear bumper that way tho... you shall now be known as Orionstein. :bgwo:
tom4bren
03/05/2010, 11:43 AM
does that just slip into the receiver or is it bolted to the frame? I assume it's removeable so that you don't lose departure angle when wheeling.
I need to do something similar on the RV, it has NO protection on the rear & I truely hate having a vulnerable arse.
LittleBeast
03/05/2010, 12:38 PM
you shall now be known as Orionstein. :bgwo:
Haha, I was thinking the same thing.
Very useful though :)
Marlin
03/05/2010, 01:37 PM
Now wait a second, you guys make it sound like its a bad thing to be known as orionstein?
Nah, it's a sarcastic compliment! :D What's good for the goose is good for the gander... or the duck... or whatever.
VX KAT
03/05/2010, 04:19 PM
Now wait a second, you guys make it sound like its a bad thing to be known as orionstein?
No, not a bad thing..... it was Orionstein = good.......Marlinstein = bad.... :laugho::laugho::bgwb:
orion
03/05/2010, 07:14 PM
orionstein.... mmmm, might be more fitting than you know:bwgy:
yes it is bolted to the frame, and I'm not worried about departure angle.
ZEUS, the design will make more sense when its all done and you see it in person.
BUWAHAHAHA! You sadistic cusser! Too funny. I'm a bit surprised you did the rear bumper that way tho... you shall now be known as Orionstein. :bgwo:
He'll always be known as "Mr. Scary Hook" to me...:yesgray:
As always, looking good Greg!...:_wrench:.:thumbup:.:thumbup:
As far as departure angle is concerned, now you've got a bomb proof piece of steel to slide down rocks with...perfect!
Am I also seeing that the corners can accept 2" receiver hardware & be used as recovery points?
BRILLIANT!...:yes:
orion
03/06/2010, 05:39 AM
No silly, the corners are for the removable swing away spare tire carrier. ;py;
No silly, the corners are for the removable swing away spare tire carrier. ;py;
I have no idea what I was thinking...:mbrasd:
tomdietrying
03/06/2010, 08:26 AM
Nice work Greg!
Peace.
Tom
orionstein.... mmmm, might be more fitting than you know:bwgy:
yes it is bolted to the frame, and I'm not worried about departure angle.
ZEUS, the design will make more sense when its all done and you see it in person.I'm excited to see both ends up close and personal! When I saw the first pic you posted of it a month ago I thought you were going to mimic the front more. I thought it would wrap around to protect the sides as well. That's all I meant.
As a spare holder, it makes lots of sense... and after you swap in those Rockwells it will blend right in!!! :p
He'll always be known as "Mr. Scary Hook" to me...:yes:Hooker in the front, beef in the rear! :bgwo:
VX KAT
03/06/2010, 10:52 AM
Hooker in the front, beef in the rear! :bgwo:
I saw this one comin'.....woulda bet on it! :rollo:
I saw this one comin'.....woulda bet on it! :rollo:OK, that's a given... but who did you think would say it first? :)
VX KAT
03/06/2010, 01:07 PM
Hooker in the front, beef in the rear! :bgwo:
OK, that's a given... but who did you think would say it first? :)
Oh, of course I thought it would be you!
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