[jammintrey]

I have a 1998 Frontier XE 4x4 4cyl, I ripped off the front plastic bumper valence and I am looking for some sort of additional bumper to cover my radiator and front frame... I am somewhat concerned that the airbag sensors (cant seem to find the darn things) are exposed more than they should be. What can I buy to protect the front end of my frontier? I am looking for a cheap solution, I dont want to pay 800$ for a metal bumper replacement.

Thanks in advance, Trey

 

[Frijolero]

Looks good like that

 

[Irongrave]

can you weld. make up a simple bumper with some tube

 

[Frijolero]

^

I'll even draw some CAD models for you to follow

 

[jammintrey]

^

I'll even draw some CAD models for you to follow

That would be awesome! Does cad have special file types though? I might not be able to open them...

I was thinking about a winch in the front then paint the radiator support black, Mount a winch plate between the frame rails. Like this one... - Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

I want to get this winch, I think my friend told me they are on sale for 149.99 right now at the local harbor freight... (deffinatly getting the 3 yr warrenty...)

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

 

[Irongrave]

for a winch you get what you pay for, get a ramsy/warn or something along that line the winch on my XJ is a $900 winch i would not trust a 150 to pull my rig out if i was stuck

 

[Frijolero]

Yeah dude I can totally design a bumper for you and send you screen shots and PDFs of 2d with measurements. What are you fab skillz??? Tube? Plate? round? square? Trapezoid?

 

[jammintrey]

My uncle has a mig welder, I have used it for exhaust many times, i took a few welding classes in high school last year, my welding skills are up to par for making a bumper I would trust. I think I found a solution looking around, I can buy a universal winch plate for my frontier and mount it inbetween the frame rails, The winch will fit perfectly in there, as long as radiator airflow is ok I think it would work great.]

I dont have equiptment to cut and bend tubing so i will probably have to stick to square tubing

 

[Frijolero]

You would still need a method of cutting the square tubing,, but a hacksaw can accomplish that. Can you take measurements of the front frame where the bumper support bar bolt to? I'll draw a sketch of what I mean in a short while. I can't measure my truck because I cut 5" off the front of my frame.

 

[fusionfronty99]

just an FYI, mine cost 500ish... save your pennies and have a pro build it... do you trust your welds?

 

[Frijolero]

Cmon josh.. let the guy have some fun. As for a "bumper" newb bugger welds can suffice, should you try to throw a winch on there, definitely not.

 

[jammintrey]

I have a huge a metal cutting circular saw, I can cut tubing but it won't fit together well..I am a good welder, I have welded a lot, but I don't do it as a profession by any means...

 

[Frijolero]

Cool. Can you cut miters on it?

Can you measure the frame rails from outside to outside and get a rough dimension from the height and width of the frame rails.

 

[jammintrey]

Frame rail width, (outside width) 28 and 1/4".... frame rail height, (it tapers. I will measure front and back size) Front height is 2 and 3/4", rear is 3 and 1/2".

Inside width between rails is 22".

Here is a pic of the winch plate I just quickly fabbed up on some paper towels....

 

[jammintrey]

Here is a quick sketch of the frame rail.... So its not so confusing

 

[PeeWee]

I haven't had the plastic valance on mine for about a year now. I haven't had any problems. I spray painted everything under there black and it looks a lot better. I have actually gotten quite a few compliments on it. People seem to think it looks more rugged without the plastic.

 

[jammintrey]

yea i think im going to do a winch mounted inbetween the frame rails and a nice 3/8 skid plate with reinforcements then paint the rest of the ssupport black

 

[Frijolero]

I'll draw something over the weekend.

 

[jammintrey]

cool, thanks in advance..