Bumpers??

[RocKrawler]

I also like the u-joint look, but would prefer the center section be a little shorter if possible to not make the center look as bulky. For a production bumper I'd like to see a modular design, center winch section with recovery points and flat sides to bolt the outer "wings" onto, this gives the benefits of easy replacement if one side gets damaged, and will be a smaller package to ship cutting down the freight costs when you send them all over the country. Also make the center hoop over the winch cradle an option, there are plenty of people who don't want a grille guard, just the simple design like the Warn style featured earlier. Making it an option cuts the cost of the initial purchase, makes the base unit even smaller for shipping reasons, and makes it appealing to a wider audience. We recently had a customer request a modular design for his Cherokee that did all of the above, we were impressed with the build of it and I'm strongly considering making a set for my van, the shipping was extremely cheap for both front & rear, and I can tell you freight cost are an issue to nearly every customer, once they get over the sticker shock of the bumper itself, another $200+ in freight can often kill or delay the deal.
Here's a link to the front: http://www.orfab.com/details.php?Ap...=FRONT WINCH BUMPER 3PC CHEROKEE *&Active=Yes

Not shown because of the angle of the shot, they also have light tabs in the corners to mount a cornering/rock light in between the tubes that's a nice touch!

And for the rear:

Note the rear corners have light tabs for backup or night trails, nice touch. These can be tweaked in design to taste, but are simple, ship small and cheap, and look clean installed. I like the look of the ARB style bull bars, but love the utility and weight savings of the tube (although with my 1 ton the weight is much less of an issue than to the 1/2T and compact van guys).

 

[hojhauler]

Good idea, I would love to see some more options for van bumpers...it is crazy how many vans are on the road and the major bumper builders don't carry anything for them. So, a little off topic while these bumpers are in production....

does anyone have a list of available grill guards for vans? I have an E350 and would love to put some substantial grill guard on the front for lights and front receiver mount and not quite ready to drop the cash on a complete front bumper. thanks

 

[dsw4x4]

Hey Hojhauler,
My van has what I believe to be a ranch hand grill guard for a ford pickup that was bolted onto my van they just used some spacers on the top of the bumper bolts. It is really solid. I already have it sold or I would offer it up to you.
Derek

 

[Herbie]

And for the rear:

Ooh, I like those. They should have the lightness of a tube bumper but still have the more "meaty" look like a plate bumper. Single or double-tube bumpers can look sort of "thin" if they aren't spaced out. The plate connecting the two tubes on that rear bumper also fills it in nicely, and I imagine it could be of much lighter gauge...

 

[RocKrawler]

Ooh, I like those. They should have the lightness of a tube bumper but still have the more "meaty" look like a plate bumper. Single or double-tube bumpers can look sort of "thin" if they aren't spaced out. The plate connecting the two tubes on that rear bumper also fills it in nicely, and I imagine it could be of much lighter gauge...

And the same filler plate could be used in the front to fill any areas with nasty areas behind them. Having sold bumpers for nearly every application in this industry I really like the component units that can replace individual damaged parts, and have pieces like the grill guard "hoop" optional as not everyone likes that look. As much as I like the Road Armor for the full size vans that we offer, I will likely make my own similar to the ones I posted if they are not available from other sources by the time I am ready for them.

 

[Sheep Shagger]

And the same filler plate could be used in the front to fill any areas with nasty areas behind them. Having sold bumpers for nearly every application in this industry I really like the component units that can replace individual damaged parts, and have pieces like the grill guard "hoop" optional as not everyone likes that look. As much as I like the Road Armor for the full size vans that we offer, I will likely make my own similar to the ones I posted if they are not available from other sources by the time I am ready for them.

They do look nice, but how strong are they with that "modular" design. Seems to me the design has ruined the strength and advantages of using tubing and gained cheap shipping and replacing the bumper in sections.

I could well be wrong, but that design seems to goes against everything I was taught in mechanical engineering about the strength and how to use tubes. But that was ~25years ago and I've forgotten a lot / most of it.

 

[RocKrawler]

They do look nice, but how strong are they with that "modular" design. Seems to me the design has ruined the strength and advantages of using tubing and gained cheap shipping and replacing the bumper in sections.

I could well be wrong, but that design seems to goes against everything I was taught in mechanical engineering about the strength and how to use tubes. But that was ~25years ago and I've forgotten a lot / most of it.

If the center section is beefy enough with thicker flanges (the one pictured is for a featherweight Cherokee) for the intended vehicle size, and the hardware is stout, there shouldnt be any reason it wouldnt hold up. Many companies use a very thick recovery point that bolts directly to the frame that a d-ring / shackle would attach to, theres no reason if its stout enough to support the entire vehicle load that it couldnt support a "wing" of the bumper attached adequately.

 

[Stitebunny]

Any new options you guys have found yet?

 

[catmandu]

ESV Bumper

Refer to this recent thread for another bumper option


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/95583-ESV-bumper-and-roof-rack