tj bumper swap?

[NJallDAY]

I was thinking about finding a tj bumper and welding mounts for my kj to get rid of all that plastic. Ive seen a couple threads over on lost but has anyone here had good results doing this? Better alternative? Not looking to spend the cash on an aftermarket.

 

[tommudd]

Please no ................

 

[NJallDAY]

Please no ................

Haha ok. May i ask why not?

 

[yellocoyote]

I've only ever seen one person pull it off and make it look halfway decent - put he put a lot of additional time/fabwork into the project. Otherwise just TJ bumpers always looked slapped on and very rough... unfinished.

I personally like a clean look... so maybe you don't. :shrug: It's your ride though.

Here's the build thread from the "nicer" TJ bumper mod...
LOST JEEPS • View topic - Durangotang's Budget Bumper

 

[NJallDAY]

I've only ever seen one person pull it off and make it look halfway decent - put he put a lot of additional time/fabwork into the project. Otherwise just TJ bumpers always looked slapped on and very rough... unfinished.

I personally like a clean look... so maybe you don't. :shrug: It's your ride though.

Here's the build thread from the "nicer" TJ bumper mod...
LOST JEEPS • View topic - Durangotang's Budget Bumper

Thats pretty much what i was going for. But if i were to do it i would trim the fascia to fill the gaps between the grill and bumper and the gap from fender flare to bumper. Then just fab up a plate to protect the radiator. I rather enjoy building custom applications, i do it alot at work modifying medical equipment to fit individual needs

Edit: im almost certain thats what i want to do. I can make it look clean either with the original plastics trimmed up or use fiberglass to clean it up. Do you know how he mounted it? Bolts welded etc?

 

[yellocoyote]

I don't. If it doesn't say in his build thread, maybe you can PM him and ask...?

 

[NJallDAY]

Yea that was my next step. Is on here or only lost? Havent logged on there since kj country was down so ill have to reset my pw.

 

[yellocoyote]

I believe he's LOST only.

 

[tommudd]

If you're going to do one like 'tangs I'd go custom all the way. That way you can fit the bumper to the curve of the front end instead of having a hunk of metal straight across and then working from there .
Most just run a bar back into the frame rail there and 2 / 3 bolts
personally I'd do more of a ARB mount to be stronger but.................
Just don't slap a TJ bumper on and be done

 

[Greta]

I followed Durangotang's build, but did not add the metal to cover the frame or the pre-runner style light bar. I cannot weld anyhow.

 

[NJallDAY]

I have friends in just about every tradesman kinda field so ill have help with the welding and what not. Ive already started to brain storm so once i get a bumper ill see what i can do with it. I really like utilitarian style, one that serves its purpose and looks good doing it.

Is there a better choice of bumper to re-purpose? Im open to what ever will be better to work with. I wish i had the money to buy a nice aftermarket one but thats waaaaay low on my priority list lol