[NoQuarter]

Putting some time into the winch mount ignore the van diaper please

I am wanting the winch tucked in as far as possible vs hanging directly off the front of the bumper mounts. With the core support gone, you can see the winch is close to the radiator.
It looks a little questionable hanging off those 2 bolts on each side but it has less torque sitting closer in than other style mounts and the sheer strength of the bolts is good.

I'm confident this is good but prepared to have to come up with a plan b.

 

[gwd]

What type of bumper are you thinking of getting?
Or are you modifying the stock bumper cover and making it a hidden sleeper look.

 

[NoQuarter]

Going to do some sort of custom plate style bumper.
Will do cardboard layouts and see what I like.

 

[NoQuarter]

I like where this is going. The front faces of the subframe/bumper mount location would be a liteweight tie-down shackle, move the larger larger shackle mounts closer in, and add a panel to block the space under the radiator to force the air through it instead of under it.

Feedback, comment please! Gonna be too late for your better ideas pretty soon

Lighting and maybe some slots like on the driver side

 

[NoQuarter]

 

[Rod's Trucks]

That is looking pretty sharp!
How did you get the slots so perfectly matched?
I can cut and welded, but making those slots so perfectly matched probsbly could not happen here.
Keep up the pictures..Please!

 

[AstroWill]

Feedback, comment please! Gonna be too late for your better ideas pretty soon

I like it, looks like it barely sticks out!

 

[NoQuarter]

Thanks... I am really happy with the results so far. It is easy to dwell on the things that could be better as we all do when we make something but no regrats!

How did you get the slots so perfectly matched?

Satisfying right? The joy of CNC!

 

[NoQuarter]

I like it, looks like it barely sticks out!

Kinda getting a little concerned that the plastic grill sticks out farther than the bumper

But... I am thinking a tube style bar at some point. But I don't have any bending tools... yet

 

[NoQuarter]

Getting the wings fabbed up. I think I will make these bolt on to leave options for a different design in the future and allow me to fit these into my media blasting cabinet to prep for cerakote.

Here you can see the center winch mount cover is bolted onto the front of the subframe - no more clamps! I tapped those existing holes for an M12 and then added a gusset on a downward angle to allow muck/water to drain away.

Might need some turns on the torsion bars... I have pre measurements so will see how much droop there is. I still have the front leveled out with the jacks on each side so not sure yet on the effects of the extra weight.

 

[Rod's Trucks]

CNC! No wonder it looks perfect.
Now I will not feel bad about pointing out flaws....except I do not think I would find any if I tried.
It looks great!
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[NoQuarter]

Little more progress this weekend

 

[NoQuarter]

working out some details on filling in the gap between the grill and bumper. Considering these similar air slots

 

[NoQuarter]

 

[NoQuarter]

time for final weld out

 

[Rod's Trucks]

That 'spotless shop' is somewhat sickening
I cannot even dream of such a clean shop!
It would take a lifetime to undo my messy habits, and I do not have a lifetime remaining.
Did I say 'Jealous'? Maybe not, but I am thinking it!
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

 

[tinworm]

I love that bumper, i also prefer the astro grill with it over the safari

What an inspirational thread!

I too have had issues with mevotech control arms, though in my case it was lower control arms for a 2wd that came with ball joints installed. A test for tightness of the bolts snapped every one of the super cheap and weak bolts included with minimal force. Thankfully i didnt trust the hardware and attempt to drive on those connections.

 

[gwd]

Maybe you can sell the CAD file.
I am sure some of us would like to recreate the bumper on our vans.
The metal pieces would be expensive to ship to Canada.🙂

 

[NoQuarter]

That 'spotless shop' is somewhat sickening
I cannot even dream of such a clean shop!

It takes some considerable effort to maintain it that's for sure. With all the rust grinding and cutting on the van, then welding/grinding/plasma cutting.... it creates quite the mess. I am learning to keep other benches/tools covered to reduce the cleanup.

One of my "Zen" moments when I need to make progress on a project that I am not mentally prepared for is to start the session with cleanup and organization chores.

 

[NoQuarter]

Maybe you can sell the CAD file.
I am sure some of us would like to recreate the bumper on our vans.
The metal pieces would be expensive to ship to Canada.🙂

I'll look into it. The "problem" is implying the parts will fit another van and I have no other vans to test on.