Front and rear bumper ideas for 95 Suburban 2500
- Thread starter SUP Dude
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Observer
Wish I could help - I'm doing the same thing, but not for another few months. Checkout Hefty Fab Works in your area (CO anyway!) - I'm sure they can configure any of their Bronco stuff for your rig.
IMO, I'd start with a hitch (built, bought, or existing), and make the bumper around that. Much stronger than trying to make a bumper strong enough to tow AFTER the bumper is done...
Here's a rear that I did: (Nevermind the angle cuts on the side pieces. They were for a guy who had his axle moved back farther)
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Front, same deal... Start with the mounts (and winch box if required), and make your front, center panel, then build out from there. work the vertical panels first, then the supporting panels underneath, then do the tops, then the sides where it meets the body. If you're not sure of something, leave it and cut if off later.
Notice the square front of the body-blending pieces on the first pictures, then notice how it's cut back and angled on the finish pieces?
On full-custom stuff, or even customized standard stuff, I always start with cardboard, and cut/shape/cut/tape back together/start over with cardboard until I have a shape that I like. Once I have the shape in cardboard, I trace it onto steel, then cut it out. I used to cut out straight lines with my circular saw with one of those carbide blades on it ($20 for the Oshlun ones on Amazon. One blade is good for about 1 bumper if you aren't too hard on it), but I now use a straight-edge clamped to the piece and my HT Powermax 45 plasma. This works pretty fast, too. As a "for instance" the bumper below is about 7 hours from sort of having a little bit of an idea of what I wanted to do, to this picture:
Then it was probably another 8-9 hours of work to this picture:
Then another 6 hours and some paint to here:
None of it is really hard. You just have to take it one step at a time, and eventually, it's done.
Also, leave ~1/2" from anything on the body, because this is mounted to the frame, and the body moved independantly from the frame. The only place that the bumpers should touch the vehicles, especially in the front, is on the frame. Now, on the rear bumpers, there is a little more flex in the longer "wings" that meet the body, so I do bolt them to the fender mounts in the wheelwell, and it seems to work fine, but that's only because the bumper can flex some, out there, and the frame is a lot stiffer in the rear, being designed to tow, so there's less flex on rears.
Mike
Here's a rear that I did: (Nevermind the angle cuts on the side pieces. They were for a guy who had his axle moved back farther)
Front, same deal... Start with the mounts (and winch box if required), and make your front, center panel, then build out from there. work the vertical panels first, then the supporting panels underneath, then do the tops, then the sides where it meets the body. If you're not sure of something, leave it and cut if off later.
Notice the square front of the body-blending pieces on the first pictures, then notice how it's cut back and angled on the finish pieces?
On full-custom stuff, or even customized standard stuff, I always start with cardboard, and cut/shape/cut/tape back together/start over with cardboard until I have a shape that I like. Once I have the shape in cardboard, I trace it onto steel, then cut it out. I used to cut out straight lines with my circular saw with one of those carbide blades on it ($20 for the Oshlun ones on Amazon. One blade is good for about 1 bumper if you aren't too hard on it), but I now use a straight-edge clamped to the piece and my HT Powermax 45 plasma. This works pretty fast, too. As a "for instance" the bumper below is about 7 hours from sort of having a little bit of an idea of what I wanted to do, to this picture:
Then it was probably another 8-9 hours of work to this picture:
Then another 6 hours and some paint to here:
None of it is really hard. You just have to take it one step at a time, and eventually, it's done.
Also, leave ~1/2" from anything on the body, because this is mounted to the frame, and the body moved independantly from the frame. The only place that the bumpers should touch the vehicles, especially in the front, is on the frame. Now, on the rear bumpers, there is a little more flex in the longer "wings" that meet the body, so I do bolt them to the fender mounts in the wheelwell, and it seems to work fine, but that's only because the bumper can flex some, out there, and the frame is a lot stiffer in the rear, being designed to tow, so there's less flex on rears.
Mike
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Wow thanks Bartonmd!! This is exactly what I want. they look great. I am not the most skilled welder around.. I have some experience but not enough to feel confident to fabricate it myself. I do however have a buddy in Denver that might be able to make something like this for me. Thanks again! Those are the coolest bumpers I have seen yet! Very nice work!
No problem, man! Honestly, what's nice about starting with a bought or stock hitch is, the part that NEEDS to be strong is already welded. Also, the welds on the outside are mostly ground down smooth anyway, so even if your skills aren't up yet, it'll still look good. You'll never know if you don't try it, yourself!
Mike
Mike
FjFairlady
Observer
Nice work. Gotta fire up my Mig and go for it.
Thanks so much for posting this. I'd like to make a set of bumpers for my Tahoe, but I've been on the fence about it. I've done a fair amount of fabrication, but its mostly been on cars at this point. (put a C4 IRS setup in the back of my 86 IROC) I think I have the skills and tools to do it, just have never exercised the "artistic" muscle this appears to take to look correct when done. What thickness material are you using on the bumper skin? Again thanks for sharing, posts like this really are a "hand up" for guys like me who just need a little confidence boost to give something a try.
No problem! I make most stuff out of 7ga (just a little less than 3/16"), because that's what we carry at lot at my real job. 7ga or 3/16" are both fine, and are very similar.
Cool! DOOO EEEETTT!!!
Mike
greengreer
Adventurer
There are a few front bumper options for you burb.it all depends on your budget and what youre looking for. As far as rear bumpers go, tactical armor group makes a tire carrier with a few options. I have a Warn classic on my k2500, which is fine if you just want a winch bumper but it doesn't offer much else. Can't say anything out of experience on any other bumpers so do your own research