Bumpers??

[dsw4x4]

I am going to start building van bumpers to sell mainly because I do not like the options that are out there and I think these bumper companies are taking designer drugs to believe their bumpers are worth 2 to 3 thousand dollars. My question is what does every one want in a bumper. For right now lets stick with winch front bumpers.
I am leaning towards tube bumpers or a pre runner style that is not nearly as big and bulky as a aluminess I can do the bumper in aluminum to if that is someone wants. I would like to hear from someone that really wheels a van with an aluminum bumper I am curious how it holds up. I have tweaked my steal bumpers so I do not think that aluminum bumper could possibly stand up to real world use. So anyway I am all ears post pictures and tell me what you like and don't like.
Thanks
Derek

 

[Sheep Shagger]

I can't comment on aluminess apart from I have the same reservations as you, ugly & expensive.
As for design / styling, in the bulky bumpers I think Roadarmor make the best looking one as it follows the lines of the van, but it's more weight and size than I really want to hang off the front. (once you add a winch)

I think prerunner style would be great for the van, Camburg is the only company I know making one in that style, but theirs look very cheap.

With pre-runner / tube style, I don't think you need to worry about aluminum, since the main selling point is weight and a tube bumper won't be heavy anyway.

I think the biggest issue with a bar style bumper is hiding the frame horns and some of the ugly bodywork that hangs down, Camburg doesn't do that well.

I think UJoint has the best looking van bumper, I always thought he should market it. Also seems to be exactly what you want. But I remember Chris saying he has a lot of hours in that, so it would probably be a costly option.

The other problem is many of these big bumpers have are they reduce airflow to the engine, which is a big problem on the diesels. I have read quite a few complaints about the Aluminess bumpers and airflow

Here are some pictures of bumpers stolen from other places. (will remove if someone complains)

Aluminess

Road Armor

Camburg

UJoint

Personally I think the only way you could improve the look of the Vanaconda bumper is to make it cover more of the wheel from the front, not sure how you could do that and still make it look good. Maybe thicker tubing or double up the tubing? Still, it's by far the best looking I have seen.

 

[dsw4x4]

Sheep Shagger I agree with what you are saying. My van sees heavy off road use the Camburg bumper looks good but I would have that thing folded into my fender in no time.
I like dansvan front bumper the lower outer bars need to be tucked up tighter as does the bottom. It looks like the winch section needs a little more open scoop area for the diesel vans.

Chris's front bumper is a nice looking unit but I do not think they have any support out on the corners again this would be a matter of time before a tree or a rock folded it in to the fender and it does not appear to have suffecient airflow for the lower dams on the diesel engine.
The other ideas I had are from off road tech
http://www.offroadtechinc.com/servlet/Detail?no=8

I also like the looks of these prerunner bumpers that look a little stouter scroll down the ford super duty bumpers and take a look.
http://www.rnhlongtravel.com/products.html

 

[ujoint]

I think UJoint has the best looking van bumper, I always thought he should market it. Also seems to be exactly what you want. But I remember Chris saying he has a lot of hours in that, so it would probably be a costly option.



UJoint

Personally I think the only way you could improve the look of the Vanaconda bumper is to make it cover more of the wheel from the front, not sure how you could do that and still make it look good. Maybe thicker tubing or double up the tubing? Still, it's by far the best looking I have seen.

I'm currently working on a production version of my bumper.

 

[ujoint]

Chris's front bumper is a nice looking unit but I do not think they have any support out on the corners again this would be a matter of time before a tree or a rock folded it in to the fender and it does not appear to have suffecient airflow for the lower dams on the diesel engine.

If you're wheeling a van in conditions that need this much protection, you probably shouldn't be there anyway and some front fender damage will be the least of your worries.

As far as airflow, I've had no issues. My fan hardly ever comes on, no more than it did when stock. And this includes running up & down the 395 through the Mojave desert loaded with people & mountain bikes in the middle of summer.

Either way, I'd love to see your prototype, it will be nice to have some more bumper options!!

 

[Sheep Shagger]

I really like the direction you are going in with this. The style is great, and as you said the dansvan with some changes would look great.
On the link you posted the "04-08 Ford F150" is also nice and since it extends the frame horns looks like a similar design may net some space for winch. Also filling in some of the frame look nice and would increase strength.
http://www.rnhlongtravel.com/gallery2_products/main.php?g2_itemId=953

I believe one of the problems with the Diesel is there is an air scoop under the bumper that forces air up onto the rads. But all the aftermarket bumpers cut this off (probably designed around gas vans). I think as long as you keep this and some holes all will be ok. Can't say for sure, and I've never owned one of the bumpers in question, only going by things I've read on the net.

 

[Sheep Shagger]

I'm currently working on a production version of my bumper.

Sweet. I can't wait for some decent bumper options to be available.

 

[dsw4x4]

Yes I like ujoint have not had any over heat issues with my 7.3 diesel however I have only used the stock bumper with a brush guard. This issue is as important to me as is the strength because I do take my van a lot of places that most people think I should not be going with a vehicle that size but I also tow my rock crawler bronco through the mountains and desert and if I am not pulling that I am either pulling my ski boat or our 28 foot cruiser through the mountains and or desert, and nothing screws up a trip like sitting on the side of the road waiting for your truck to cool down only to go another two miles up a pass and do it again and again. I also have read that the 6.0s are a little more prone to overheating than the 7.3 and the gassers. I think that those long travel bumpers are sharp for the most part they do a really nice job of giving it a finished look.
Derek

 

[partsflyin]

I am loving some of these bumpers!
I would love to have something on the line of this one.

 

[Herbie]

I would be just super happy if I could just get *a* bumper that fit my van. I always figured I'd have to go custom at some point.

If you're doing a tube or prerunner style, then I'd probably be OK with steel. My main concern for a bumper is that I want something I can pull on/with for recovery. I'm less worried about bashing it around, as I just don't wheel that hard. I'm more likely to get stuck in mud/snow/sand on a forest service road than I am to even GO rock crawling.

Aluminum would be a huge factor if you were doing any sort of plate bumper, though. With my torsion bar IFS setup, I've got to be supremely concerned about adding too much weight up front. I'm even inclined to take the hit to performance and spec out my bumper to just have a receiver hitch and use a hitch-plate for a winch instead of permanently mounting a winch up there. Any of those plate-steel bumpers would be a non-starter for my "lightweight" application.

 

[dsw4x4]

Parts flyin, that is a good looking bumper on that bronco. Again it would have some air flow issues for a diesel but it is a nice clean looking bumper.
Herbie, your in luck I bought a awd astro and I am building a pop top for it to put on the market however for you that means I have a van to mock up and build a bumper on. If your really interested let me know what you want and give me some ideas (pictures).
Derek

 

[Herbie]

Derek, yes very interested.

I'm a man with simple tastes and needs. If you were going plate style, and it was going to have a winch, then something simple like this would be great:

As far as the ASV community knows, this is a modified Warn bumper intended for 88+ Chevy 1/2 ton trucks. The only change I would make would be to add shackle tabs about 1/3 of the way from each end.

If you were going to do a simpler tube style, then all I would need is the shackle points, a front hitch receiver (and/or winch), and a little protection around the front. Something like this toyota example from the "Show me your winch bumpers" thread:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=276178&postcount=12

Heck, I don't even really need the aftermarket bumper look. While idly planning a custom bumper, I even just thought about using the stock plastic bumper cover but putting it over a reinforced steel backing that included the shackle mounts and a front receiver tied into the front subframe.

For reference, here are two threads where other ASV owners have hacked shackle points and a hitch receiver into the stock bumper material:
http://astrosafarivans.org/bb2/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5138
http://astrosafarivans.org/bb2/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=106

and lastly, a thread that shows a good look of what's behind the stock bumper and more importantly, the standard brackets that are used to raise the stock bumper when the subframe spacers are used:
http://www.chevroletforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25553
The brackets are possibly irrelevant when doing a custom bumper, but worth factoring in considering that the subframe lift spacers are a pretty common thing for Astro/Safari guys.

 

[LukeD]

dsw4x4 and Chris (UJoint), whatever you guys do, do it sooner than later as I am in the market very soon and am soliciting local shops to quote and build me something.

I am all for a tube "winch" bumper but I want my winch inclosed or coverable and 2 big recovery points. I think a tube style would also be cheaper and provide better approach angles.

Luke

 

[Off Duty]

I'm in the "planning" stage right now, so my comments my be irrelevant; however, the primary purpose of a bumper is to...absorb "bumps":coffeedrink:

With that in mind, I'd first make sure you truck is protected on the road where it's likely to see most of it's time.

As for the tube bumpers, I like them and they're definately lighter, wouldn't they fold quicker in a a crash?

I prefer the Road Armor and ARB styles for several reasons.

1) you can actually stand on it If built wide enough (from the grill to the front point) it's actually functional as a standing point. I know the older vans required most access from the inside, but it appears the newer ones (please correct me if I'm wrong?) can be accessed just like a normal truck. This gives you a place to stand while servicing or checking the engine.

2) They're stout!
I hit a wall (yes-a cement block wall!:Wow1 with my ARB on the front of my FJ62. Brakes failed and I hit it about 10 MPH.
cracked the wall....scratched my bumper

Problem is, as some have pointed out, they're heavy

To lighten it up, I sort of liked the warn style shown on the 4runner above. Make it deeper for the platform and you might have a winner.

For those that fabricate for a living, how strong is Aluminum for these applications?

Thanks and Happy 4th of July!!

 

[ujoint]

dsw4x4 and Chris (UJoint), whatever you guys do, do it sooner than later as I am in the market very soon and am soliciting local shops to quote and build me something.

I did a mockup last week, and I'm currently waiting for the 1st prototype to be burned. Should have it bent up & ready for a test fit by the end of the week. Then comes the tube work.....