Finally building my front bumper for the XJ

[ExpoMike]

I bought this bumper kit from a member on NAXJA. The parts are CNC laser cut and CNC bent. Very nice kit, which also came with Hella Optlux driving lights. Here are a few pics from what I have done in about 6 hours of work. At this point the bumper could be painted and installed but I want to modify it even more. I have a few ideas and once I get it test fitted back on the XJ, I will see how they will play out. Enjoy.

How the kit came

Welding things up

At the point I could paint and install

I'll post more once I do my mods, get it painted and installed. :sombrero: More pictures can be found at http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/carstuff

 

[cshontz]

Very nice, Mike! I'm excited to see it installed.

 

[Uticon]

Thats a really cool kit.
Do they make them for JKs?
:av-7:

 

[ExpoMike]

As far as I know, only for Cherokees.

 

[ox4mag]

Very nice! Please keep us posted as it's looking great!

 

[IH8RDS]

I bet you that could be modified to be a rear bumper :drool:

 

[Maximus Ram]

that a nice looking kit.
I just installed a winch and bumper on mine......always nice to have a sturdy bumper

 

[ExpoMike]

Update

Well I have been busy at work modifying the bumper kit. I wanted to add some more protection plus I wanted to "cover" the space between the bottom of the bumper to the bottom of the crossmember. Here are the pictures. I also added a C-Rok steering brace and C4x4 bumper tie ins that tie the bumper into the crossmember. Just wanted to add some extra strength for recovery.

Stock kit mounted

Fitting the hoop

Tubing bender

Fitting upright

Fitting horizontal bar

Everything tacked together

Bars welded and lower valance tacked in place

C-Rok steering brace and C4x4 bumper tie ins

Next is some finish welding, grinding and then get it painted and installed. Woo Hoo!!! Hope you like it.

 

[Maximus Ram]

looks good...I like the light guard additions.

 

[ExpoMike]

I should have posted this pic as well as it shows the forward tilt.

 

[BigAl]

look'n good:26_7_2: What kind of bender is that?

 

[ExpoMike]

It's a Low Buck Tools version but there are a number of ones out there that look and work the same. Biggest downside to it is it will only do up to 90* bends. Nice thing is that it's small and doesn't need to be mounted to anything to use.

 

[cybercat]

Excellent work. Do they have a kit for the rear bumper?

 

[1leg]

Nice work, Look great.
Can you give out the contact info on the kit? and the price tag?

 

[ExpoMike]

As for a kit for the rear, not at this time. I think he is working on a winch bumper kit currently with plans for a rear.

Here is the link for the kit on NAXJA. Again, they only have front ones for Cherokees.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=935716

I sent it off for black powder coating yesterday and should have it back Friday. I was going to color match it but was running out of time. Since I also know, down the road, I want an ARB and a winch, I figured black would be easier to sell to someone else. I'll get pics up once I get it back and installed.

Thanks for the support.