Front tube bumper design & winch mount considerations

[Tetten]

So over the years I've come to the conclusion that plate bumpers are retarded, but somehow became the defacto armor style even though they kill mpg, rob power, raise COG, among other issues.

My new truck is definitely going to get tube bumpers but unfortunately most of the ones out there are one-offs and tube bumpers for 2nd gen/3rd gens are relatively uncommon, so it's difficult to get ideas. Depending on how the process goes I might ditch the plate bumpers on my 2nd gen too.

Anyone have website links for design considerations and ideas when fabbing up tube bumpers? I found a lot of stuff for sliders but I'm having trouble finding anything for bumpers. The rear should be relatively simple, but I know the front is going to need more thought for a winch mount which will need to be designed to be strong enough to handle any abuse that might come from fucked up winching situations.

 

[TACOVRD]

There are a couple of tube bumpers or hybrids I've seen that I really like. CBI's Dakar front bumper is pretty sexy and @2ndGenJonny can post pics of his one-off bumper....I'm calling dibs if he ever sells it though. Addicted Offroad also has some cool designs for T4R's & Tacos that I'd look into. http://www.addictedoffroad.com/inde...ducts_id=748&zenid=hmlc63139ul67dfj2tdgdnfun0

 

[theesotericone]

though they kill mpg, rob power, raise COG, among other issues.

You know what else does all of those things I left quoted? 37's. lol

 

[Tetten]

You know what else does all of those things I left quoted? 37's. lol

Yeah...... however, 37s have several benefits, more traction, heavier tires lower COG, more clearance all around. But yeah, 37s and plate armor do do have some things in common...

Plate bumpers on the other hand... I guess if you crash into someone at the right speed it might crush all of their crumple zones and leave you unscathed, other than that I don't see any benefit other than aesthetics.

There are a couple of tube bumpers or hybrids I've seen that I really like. CBI's Dakar front bumper is pretty sexy and @2ndGenJonny can post pics of his one-off bumper....I'm calling dibs if he ever sells it though. Addicted Offroad also has some cool designs for T$R's & Tacos that I'd look into. http://www.addictedoffroad.com/inde...ducts_id=748&zenid=hmlc63139ul67dfj2tdgdnfun0

Yep I've seen his, I got some ideas from his too. I don't even really like hybrid bumpers at this point either, I'd rather just have the whole thing tube except for the winch mount. I've looked through a lot of companies offerings and haven't seen much I like, and those that look functional don't include any close up photos of the bumpers so I can't see how they are put together structurally.... like where they put the gussets, sizes and thicknesses of the gussets, and tubing etc.

 

[theesotericone]

Yeah...... however, 37s have several benefits, more traction, heavier tires lower COG, more clearance all around. But yeah, 37s and plate armor do do have some things in common...

Plate bumpers on the other hand... I guess if you crash into someone at the right speed it might crush all of their crumple zones and leave you unscathed, other than that I don't see any benefit other than aesthetics.



Yep I've seen his, I got some ideas from his too. I don't even really like hybrid bumpers at this point either, I'd rather just have the whole thing tube except for the winch mount. I've looked through a lot of companies offerings and haven't seen much I like, and those that look functional don't include any close up photos of the bumpers so I can't see how they are put together structurally.... like where they put the gussets, sizes and thicknesses of the gussets, and tubing etc.

I went plate for aesthetics and added front end protection. Mainly though, it's the look. I think tube's look unfinished and I'm willing to sacrifice some weight savings for that. I'm sure you've thought about just making your own so just do it. lol

 

[TACOVRD]

Maybe reach out to some members here regarding engineering considerations:

http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7249

 

[Tetten]

I went plate for aesthetics and added front end protection. Mainly though, it's the look. I think tube's look unfinished and I'm willing to sacrifice some weight savings for that. I'm sure you've thought about just making your own so just do it. lol

Yeah I will definitely have to make my own rear bumper since any that I like are all custom made. I really like Marlin Crawlers 3rd gen front bumpers, but yeah.... Even if they started offering it today I wouldn't get it for a year...at best.

I'm mainly looking for engineering and design considerations. Something like sliders has a lot more involved in their design than would appear on the surface, and then when it comes to actually using them things that "sound good" in theory are absolutely horrible in practice. I've lost count of the amount of shops and clowns that brag about how tight their sliders tuck against the body, but in actual use on technical trails that shit leads to Kyle's truck.

Fortunately for us we use our sliders a lot so it's easy to take real use scenarios and apply them to the design, its also easy to find photos of sliders on the internet and look at how they are designed. Shit, I even found a college thesis paper thingy about slider design that goes in depth into the mathematics of the design and structure.....Front Tube bumpers with winch mounts or rear high clearance tube bumpers for Tacomas... I'm having trouble finding good solid guidance/advice on it.

 

[MountainTan]

3 reasons I went with plate.

1.) No good options at the time for tube bumpers for turd gens.

2.) I am not a fabricator. at least ill admit this, unlike some of you fucks.

3.) Animals. Ive hit 2 deer in 2 years going over 30mph. I didn't want animal parts flying into my critical components, so any addition protection i could get i wanted. I also didnt go with arb, because ARB on turd gens ruin one of the only things it has going for it, looks.


one of the biggest thing i can say about tube bumpers, is that it doesnt matter if you use hrew or dom, because an impact from an animal will bend either at speed. I looked into making one with a buddy who does more shit with metal than I, and thats something i remembered him saying.

 

[madtaco461]

Thought I was going to open a thread about bumpers. Man this was awesome

 

[madtaco461]

On a real note I like the prerunner style with just a winch. Just don't bend the horizontal top tube like this. Level with the fender and hide the grill or drop down with some fill plates.

 

[Itaro]

On a real note I like the prerunner style with just a winch. Just don't bend the horizontal top tube like this. Level with the fender and hide the grill or drop down with some fill plates.
View attachment 8983

I dig prerunner bumpers, only reason I got plate was it was available and cheapish. I don’t regret it but would switch if I had a buyer lined up

 

[4runner DOA]

And by cleaning it up you mean moving it to it's own "3rd Gen Taco Meme" thread? Some of that shit is to funny to loose.

I mean moving it all to the shit talk thread.

 

[Itaro]

I mean moving it all to the shit talk thread.

Wait.. we have a bunch tho

 

[Tetten]

On a real note I like the prerunner style with just a winch. Just don't bend the horizontal top tube like this. Level with the fender and hide the grill or drop down with some fill plates.
View attachment 8983

Yep, I really like that bumper, however going off how horribly his tacobox production is going I doubt he'll have that thing into production by the end of 2020. I tried looking through his build threads and seeing how the thing was put together to copy it, but I didn't find enough to be confident I could make a strong version of it. It's also a prototype, it's lacking a couple things like attachment points for straps/winch.

 

[madtaco461]

Yep, I really like that bumper, however going off how horribly his tacobox production is going I doubt he'll have that thing into production by the end of 2020. I tried looking through his build threads and seeing how the thing was put together to copy it, but I didn't find enough to be confident I could make a strong version of it. It's also a prototype, it's lacking a couple things like attachment points for straps/winch.

It looks to be just a modern version of the all pro baja bumper. All 4 points go to the frame rail at each side. Keep it simple in case you bang into something and need to bend up a new one quick.
They aren't as strong as plate so they will bend if you smash into something hard.

 

[Itaro]

Yep, I really like that bumper, however going off how horribly his tacobox production is going I doubt he'll have that thing into production by the end of 2020. I tried looking through his build threads and seeing how the thing was put together to copy it, but I didn't find enough to be confident I could make a strong version of it. It's also a prototype, it's lacking a couple things like attachment points for straps/winch.

https://www.allprooffroad.com/shop-...nt-toyota-tacoma-baja-2-0-all-pro-bumper.html
Here ya go

 

[madtaco461]

That one is beefy. Doesn't get better than fabricated frame horns.

 

[Itaro]

That one is beefy. Doesn't get better than fabricated frame horns.

80 lbs, winch mount, recovery points and places to mount some lights. Plus is covers up the unnecessary lower part of the bozo nose grill

 

[Notcrow-of-judgement]

Arb ftw.

 

[Tetten]

https://www.allprooffroad.com/shop-...nt-toyota-tacoma-baja-2-0-all-pro-bumper.html
Here ya go

Already saw it, 2 problems...
1)its all pro
2) it looks good except how far it sticks out from the grill and headlights. I don't know if that's necessary to fit a winch, but goddamn that looks retarded. I think the Marlin one sticks out some, but not as far as that one.