Custom Bumper Project

[Marlin]

Are you planning a custom bumper that replaces the front cladding, or are you going to make it uniformly go around the front cladding?

You're not going to drive around like that, are you?

Bart

The front cladding will be gone. The new bumper will replace all that useless plastic. That way I can sell the front cladding, and hopefully pay for a chunk of my project. And yes, I am driving around like that, that is my incentive to get it done. (And I am too lazy to put it back on and back off and back on and back off......)

[Rubicool]

I call Dibbs on your cladding if you sell it!

[pbkid]

well marlin...i guess billy and i wont be the only ones with some body armor in moab next year huh??

are you designing it like "RoadArmor" brand stuff?? (sorry cant post link because im at work)
by the stealthy comment i think thats what you are talking about..

[tomdietrying]

I can't wait. Your projects always come out first class.
Peace.
Tom

[Riff Raff]

Hmmm, interesting. In the meantime, paint that middle cladding support in front of the radiator Bright Red and make it look like a "tongue" sticking out!!! LOL

[etlsport]

id be careful about driving around like that.. theres pretty much no protection in the front now, so any front impact is gonna completely destroy your radiator, and probably your AC... also are you planning on rigging up some sort of front turn signal? if nothing else id try to find a replacement for that rusted tube so you have some sort of bumper there

but good luck on the project i am looking forward to how that turns out

[Marlin]

Hmmm, interesting. In the meantime, paint that middle cladding support in front of the radiator Bright Red and make it look like a "tongue" sticking out!!! LOL

LOL, that may be a possibility. Let me think about it.
As far as no bumper, I would guess that most of you do not have a functional bumper anymore, and just do not know it. I knew mine was rusted, but I had no idea that it was that bad until I started manhandling it.
No turning signals=no problem, I drive 5 miles to work, each way, with only 3 turns. I don't drive it too often anywhere else, so no worries there.
I hope this project only takes a few weeks.

Roadarmor sounds cool, if this project comes out nice, I may sell this as a bolt on type kit, and I will call it Marlin Scale...pretty weak, I know...

[Bulldoggie]

I call Dibbs on your cladding if you sell it!

I was thinking that I asked about the front cladding first?

[Marlin]

Well, I won't be trading the cladding, I will be selling it, and being that it is one of the most desirable pieces, and mine is great shape, just minor scuffs, I will have to send it to the highest offer....once I am ready.
My VX looks to be turning more into a trail rig, that is still street usable. SO more cladding my come off and be replaced with steel and whatnot. This may be the beginning...

[crager34]

Well, I won't be trading the cladding, I will be selling it, and being that it is one of the most desirable pieces, and mine is great shape, just minor scuffs, I will have to send it to the highest offer....once I am ready.
My VX looks to be turning more into a trail rig, that is still street usable. SO more cladding my come off and be replaced with steel and whatnot. This may be the beginning...

Carefull!!! We still want it to be a VX ya know. Not a mutant.

[Marlin]

Carefull!!! We still want it to be a VX ya know. Not a mutant.

Hmm, that makes me think of a movie quote, I believe it is in "Dogma" where Salma Hayek mentions whether it is the breasts that make a woman a woman or what is inside? I know I butchered that, but you get the idea.
While I agree the VX has unique styling, IIRC it is Kodiak that has the sig that says "Cars made by spreadsheet make cents, cars made by engineers make history" I am more interested in the engineering of the VX. I have done very few mods, and at Moab I went on a Jeep run with some heavy modded Jeeps and kept up with them and did every obstacle they did.
That is why I have a VX.
This bumper deal, saves me money in the long run, those plastic pieces are going to get harder and harder to find as time goes, I consider mine a preemptive strike on the inevitable. Plus, with my factory bumper trashed, if I am gonna spend the money, might as well do it right and prevent future problems.
And last but not least, I want to be the first, and at least for awhile, to have a custom steel bumper with an integrated hitch(idea from Orion) and tow points and what not....

[JoFotoz]

So...this begs the question....

SO more cladding my come off and be replaced with steel and whatnot. This may be the beginning...

...why did ya buy a VX in the first place...


jo

[taylorRichie]

I think he means useless as in, the front bumper easily rusts through (has happened to many) and the cladding is clearly aesthetic, and not really useful.

I for one, would love an all steal replacement for our front bumpers... assuming it could look as OE as possible.

Custom winch mounts for ours are just too much work.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I'm interested to see how your project turns out...thanks for the start to finish info...better than just a "here its done pic!"

[rowhard]

just minor scuffs,

Chris, I watched you at Moab this year, Minor scrapes. Anyone, everyone, get photos first. Remember, he works on carriers. Ever watch them naval aviators land on a carrier, OMG

Just kidding, if Chris say it is good, it is good and worth the money, go for it Bill