Topic: Building a new front bumper

[Spelo]

I'm thinking about building a new front bumper and winch mount for my YJ.  Something similar to this http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/reviews/4x4unbumper00/.  The goal being to mount the winch behind the bumper, but I'm a little worried about cutting that tube out of the frame.

I have a kind of generic winch plate on there now, and it's way overkill for my 6000lb winch.  With some clever design I could take 30lbs of steel of without loosing too much strength.

Do you guys have any thoughts?

[trailerrails]

You should be fine with removing the tube and long as you engineer the new bumper to provide the needed support.

[Jeffy]

I think if I was going to cut the front tube off, I'd weld the front bumper to the ends of the frame rails.  This is what one of my friends did.  My M800 proably sits as high as Ron's Warn.

[Spelo]

Yea, I was thinking it would be better to weld it on.  If the steering box wasn't in the way I'd cut out the tube and weld the winch plate in it's place.  That would be more than strong enough and the bumper could still be bolted on.

It might be more effort than it's worth.  It's just that lately I've been in the mood to hack something up.  In any case I can ponder it over till the weekend.

[Spelo]

Have you guys seen any other frame cutting related articles?  I like to see how other people do things, so I can screw up in new and totally unique ways. :wink: