Custom Bumper Project

[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

[Triathlete]

Alright then...I'll run out and buy 2 right after I get my light weight tires!j/k

So, how well does that tail pipe jack work if you are in a situation where you can not run your engine?

Remember, he works on carriers. Ever watch them naval aviators land on a carrier, OMG

I used to work on those guided projectiles that make those great displays of landingmanship!
This was one of my babies...

[JoFotoz]

Riff Raff...the hi lift jack is akin to chop-sticks.

They are BOTH still around...because THEY BOTH WORK....




I smell a lift and ''tire change'' challenge at Moab next year!:







jo

PS..My first bannnnnnanna dance...

....I feel good ..do be do be do be dooo...I new that I would!

[Marlin]

You guys are a trip, the exhaust bag takes about 45 seconds or so to inflate, works on any surface and as for holes....wait for it, wait for it.....that is why god gave us floor mats Thick rubber, conform to any shape, and will protect the bag. I do not see fire trucks running around with hi-jacks, they have inflatable bags.

Anyway, as for hi-jack points, not gonna happen, I will integrate tow points, not for me of course, but in case I have to pull a Jeep out in reverse

I should have some pic updates next weekend for the bumper and with any luck a final product, the hitch in the front is not a planning thing, it is a go or no go, if it isn't goin in, then the bumper isn't happening. Not much longer I promise....

[Riff Raff]

Ah; thanx MARLIN, you totally rock. Now, take that Billy & Jo-- neener, neener, neener!!!

Oh, and thank you too ROWHARD for the added support as well.

[Triathlete]

I smell a lift and ''tire change'' challenge at Moab next year!:

Campground games...yipee! Funny, when ZuZoo was "official" they used to have ZuZoopaluza on the last day at the Portal field (the field now is the upscale section) where we played fun stuff like "spotter challenge" were the blindfolded driver was guided through an obstacle course by their chosen spotter! Fun fun fun!

[rowhard]

So, how well does that tail pipe jack work if you are in a situation where you can not run your engine?



I used to work on those guided projectiles that make those great displays of landingmanship!
This was one of my babies...

Well, would think you wouldn't be off roading alone, I sure wouldn't be so would use my mates tailpipe.

This is the wonderful one eleven (F-111) I worked on 18 of my 22 years in the Air Force. D's at Cannon, E's at RAF Upper Heyford, and the F's at RAF Lakenheath. Also a few transit A's and FB's from SAC but never a C from Australia


Use to think Air Force pilots were Sierra Hotel (which they are) until I started watching the Military Channel. Naval aviators do have some 'serious attachment's' as David Hobbs would say on Formula 1 coverage on the speed channel.

They are, daring young men in their flying machines

Now back to our normally televised thread, Marlin's custom bumper project

[pbkid]