Bull Bar/Bumper

I want to add some heft to my VX for off roading. The single most desired mod I desire is a bull bar/bumper. This would also come in handy in the event of a front end impact, since the VX is a little light in the self defense department... I am looking at something simuliar to the CALMINI Rodeo Winch Bumpers or the ARD Bull Bar.

Does anybody know of a company that fabricates such a bumper or anyone that could do so for a reasonable price? I would be willing to do a prototype mockup... Also, does anybody know if the front end points of the frame (attachment points) are the same dimensions as the Trooper?

Thanks.

Try Dallas at www.Stinkyfab.com

He may be getting busy preparing for Moab but send him an email.

Dallas does excellent work.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...rd_concept.jpg

Here is a concept that was created by a member for the www.TrailReady.com group buy a couple years ago. They needed 20 prepurchases before they would fabricate the prototype. Unfortunetly at the time there were not enough participants.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ner_guards.jpg

Also it was thought that the lower corner guards could be removable/optional. Also this second drawing show a second suport bar going up to the bottom of the headlight guards.

Original thread: http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ight=group+buy

I for one would be interested if anyone would like to revisit this idea.

Hmmm... good start, but I'd go a bit less bulky, a little bit more sleek and aggressive. I'd also try to play off off some of the VX's existing style elements and do something that complements those.

The thing shouldn't be overbearing for the truck. I'd make the top crossbar thinner, and the same for the ones around the headlights. I think it needs the sidebars to look right, but change the shape a bit. I'd move the skidplate down and have it curl under more and not be quite such a major aesthetic design element. I'd make the vertical risers the centerpiece of the design. They should look like big pointy fangs or tusks and accentuate that by making them match the factory fangs and making everything else on the guard black except for maybe the skidplate at the bottom. No time for Photoshop right now as I'm in a race to dart out the door, but here's a quick workup...

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...brushguard.jpg

I am more looking into the full steal replacement type rather than the tube over type. What would be really sweet would be to have the front armor piece completely fabricated out of 3/8" or 1/2" steel with frame mounts...

I'm sure it would be labor intensive, and expensive, but does anybody have a lead or contact of anybody that might be able to complete such a task?

Working on a buddy's new VX last nite, I noticed there are GREAT attachment point on the outside of the front frame rails - don't know why I had not noticed them before. Dual threaded holes on both sides - sure would be nice to know what bars there are for the 2 dr Trooper in Japan....

Those are the two points I use to attach my bull bar, if you're talking about the threaded holes for the tow hooks.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...4/fc069732.jpg

http://www.jonfund.com/albums/album3..._001.sized.jpg

Brian

Those are good but cause too much loss of clearance - these can be seen inside the wheel well and face out, not down.

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Originally Posted by JAFO

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...rd_concept.jpg

Here is a concept that was created by a member for the www.TrailReady.com group buy a couple years ago. They needed 20 prepurchases before they would fabricate the prototype. Unfortunetly at the time there were not enough participants.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ner_guards.jpg

Also it was thought that the lower corner guards could be removable/optional. Also this second drawing show a second suport bar going up to the bottom of the headlight guards.

Original thread: http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ight=group+buy

I for one would be interested if anyone would like to revisit this idea.

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I'd love for this to happen in my lifetime! I prefer the second drawing but would take either. I believe it was thought to cost approximately $800 but a bit less with larger group buy.

After a few email exchanges with Tone, I decided to approach a few companies about this project.

Calmini and ARB declined both stating that they are behind on workload already and are not taking on any one-off projects. Hanson Enterprise had a simular answer but didn't say no just yet. They want to know a few more specs on the VX and interest. So...

Is there anybody besides me that is interested in a plate steal replacement bumper that is winch capable? This item would severely increase the aproach angle clearance to the front wheels and completely replace the front cladding piece. Items such as brush guards, "winch ready", accessory lights, etc. are optional add-ons. They estimated between $800 to $1200 per bumper depending on what we come up with on the design.

Let me know.

I have been emailing with Lance at Iron Pig Off Road. He is willing to go with this project with a rough estimate of $750

He needs a VX for 2-3 days for mock up. If Nerve_Gas cant get up there is there anybody in the Fredericksburg, VA area willing to be without your baby for a few days? If so let me know!

Thanks.

Ten36VX - What design are you discussing? I may be interested, but asthetics are a definite factor for me.

when the Trailready design was up for deposits...only two people put theirs down....myself and one other person. The person who started it didn't even put theirs down. Whole reason was the $400 deposit and $800 total price tag. everyone whined about how it was too expensive and then they went out and bought light bars for several hundred dollars.

So, lets start the whining all over again, huh.

As I described above...
The design would be one of two, depending on what they are able to do. Either way it would replace the entire front cladding piece. The first design would be something similar to Iron Pigs's Nissan bumper, but would include the air intakes, fog lights, and dip to accommodate the grill to keep as much of the original style as possible.
http://www.ironpigoffroad.com/nissan/bumpers.htm
Check out my gallery for a rough sketch of my idea.
The second design, and what I would really prefer, is to have the entire front cladding piece fabricated out of 1/4" with a slightly larger well, trimmed corners for clearance, and room for a winch.
We will have to see what he thinks he is able to do... Meanwhile, I still need someone to lone him a VX for a few days to fab it up.

Spazz- Personally, I am not looking for a group buy. I don’t care if anybody else even gets one; that would just make mine that much more unique. Iron Pig is a custom shop and will fab 1 or 100. Just posting the info for info-sake.
And was willing to pay up to 1200 after talking to other shops. So $750 doesnt sound to bad to me at all.

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Originally Posted by TEN36VX

This item would severely increase the aproach angle clearance to the front wheels and completely replace the front cladding piece...

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Just curious, do you have any type of sketch prepared? Like kpaske said, it would help with interest.


Are you planning to "Fill" in the area when the front cladding is replaced? The VX isn't pretty under that front cladding.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...cro_de_001.jpg

the $ didn't matter either, but it is hard finding anyone to fab up just one bumper on a whim at an affordable rate. So be prepared to hear people whine about the price if a group buy is required.
So, I went with my winch bumper.

There is plenty of room under the front cladding for a winch, stronger bumper than that stock bar under there, and you can make a bolt on cattle guard bumper up front. I guess basically a union of the cladding and (whatever you get made) to go together and bolt up to the VX with some cutting of the cladding of course.
:p

As to your question Mancha, there would either be a bit of steel flashing fab'ed or I would crop a front piece of cladding to meet the bumper

This ancient post just got new life. Since I'm local to the fabricator, I'll be letting them use mine for a design guide but I'll leave it up to TEN36VX to post any progress.

No way dude, I have those sketchs saved on my computer I would love to see (maybe buy one) how this turns out, please keep us updated!!!!!

Oh and I like the 2nd one better, what about you?

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Oh and I like the 2nd one better, what about you?

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From the original post:

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Also it was thought that the lower corner guards could be removable/optional. Also this second drawing show a second suport bar going up to the bottom of the headlight guards.

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You may want some sacrificial metal down there though from time to time. I'd like them removable and able to tie in discreetly so when they aren't there you don't end up with some fugly, gaping mount points;puke2;

Hey TEN36, The frame is the same as a 2 door trooper so the trooper ARB bull bar will fit you just have to cut up your front cladding to fill in behind it. Also my truck won't work anymore for the mock up because of the 3" body lift.

Your rig is a beast!

I know the frame is the same but not sure the body panels would cooperate, and I dont want to buy one just to try it out. Besides how cool would it be to have a steel front cladding piece for a bull bumper...

tom4bren is on board for the fitment.

i have an enquiry in with Reunel in Maxwell, Ca. for front and rear painted steel with reciever hitch and d-rings... their site is beautiful, they do CHP and Cal-Trans and other emergency services bumpers. prolly reeeeealy expensive, but they don't charge to ask. i'll forward any quotes they send. i'm thinking of trying to get the bumpers, then having them coated with "rhino" material to match the cladding.