2002 Xterra aluminum bumper

[ScottyS]

I'm a long-time lurker, and my expeditions rarely go farther than 400mi round trip. I've been building up a family adventure Xterra for the last couple of years. Emphasis is on flexibility, good fuel economy, few flat tires, and on-road comfort to get to the jumping-off point.

I run 235/85/R16 Duratracs (load range E), and air down from 50psi to ~18psi as soon as we hit the dirt. The main mods are onboard air and Alcan progressive spring packs. I recently had a lightweight aluminum front winch bumper fabricated by a local shop, it really turned out nice. I dropped a Warn M8000 in there with synthetic line, and the overall weight gain wasn't bad. The bumper alone was only ~45lbs.

I thought I'd post up the bumper, since every once in a while someone shows up looking for an aluminum solution. The fab guys are normally busy shipping out Toyota bumpers, but since they have the CNC program for this baby now they can easily make more without a test rig sitting there.

The rig build thread is here: http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=35389

The bumper thread is here: http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?p=926313

My next project is probably a rear tire/cargo carrier and a low-profile top tray.

Here are some photos....

 

[theBostonianX]

Very nice.

How has the bumper held up to the winch during heavy use?

 

[quaintbucket]

Looks sharp. I was actually thinking about aluminum bumpers instead of steel for my r50.

You said 45lb for the aluminum bumper and $1300? How much did a similar steel bumper weigh in at and cost?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jpat30]

That is one sexy bumper!

 

[mortonm]

Looks good! Love the low weight

 

[Bob Keyes]

Very nice.

How has the bumper held up to the winch during heavy use?

With proper attention to design and welding it will be as strong or stronger than steel.

Bob