New Skid Plate and Front Bumper

[bradyh20]

Well, the fabrication is done on the new skid plate and front bumper. We decided to go with something functional, rather than 100% aesthetics. You'll notice the horns welded directly to the frame (over a cap). Also, went with thicker tubing all around.

I love the way it looks. We went with three lights instead of 4, because he said it's easier to distinguish an odd number of lights as a single vehicle. Decided to go with 2 euro beams and 1 spot for now, but I have the extra spot, so who knows...




More pictures to come. Should be painting it tonight -- flat black. We decided to go with eurethane based paint instead of powder coating so touchups are easier once it starts getting hit with rocks.

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Pic didn't show up in your post (at least not for me) but I was able to see it on Flickr. Looks great Rob! Not what I would do but that's what's so cool - you did what you like best! :thumbsup:

I like the larger diameter tubing and your idea for painting sounds good.

 

[FordFanStan]

Links?

 

[bradyh20]

Ok, got more pics:




This is where the lights will go (view from top)

 

[FordFanStan]

Looks like good work. Any info on the fabricator? Location, pricing, timeline, contact info etc? Sorry for all the questions, I'm looking for a stock replacement or an aftermarket within the next couple weeks.

 

[bradyh20]

Fabricator was Line X Spray on Bedliners in El Segundo, CA. You'd never guess a Line-X store was this capable, but I stopped in one day to check out the shop, and I found out he has a full tube race truck in the shop he's working on. Looks like it used to be a Ranger maybe. Anyways, he and I started talking about this about 6 months ago, but when plans to sell the Raptor and get a Porsche fell through, I pulled the trigger on this.

I sent him pictures, mostly from SDHQ, and we went back and forth on a few issues:

1. He said that the bumper I was asking for would probably bend if it took a solid hit (I think his definition of a solid hit is hopefully something I'll never experience in the Raptor). The solution was to use bigger tubing, and to run the horns from the frame up to the main bar. These horns support the whole bumper, so big hits shouldn't bend the bumper.

2. As I previously posted, he recommended eurethane based paint instead of powder coating for touch-up purposes.

3. He suggested three lights for two reasons. The bars won't block my regular headlights with three 9" lights. Other trucks can more easily identify my vehicle as a single vehicle with an odd number of lights.

After we'd been through all that, I cleared some time, and a week later I dropped the truck off. He fabbed the bumper over the weekend, and is finishing installing a bevvy of other odds and ends tomorrow. Still haven't got the price tag on it all yet, but I probably won't share.

When I saw the bumper, I exclaimed, get ready to do a lot more of these!! He actually didn't seem too thrilled about it. He explained that he's a one man shop, now, and didn't really like burning the midnight oil for these kinds of projects. Says he does about one a month. I suggested setting pricing so that only one person per month asked for it.

Anyways, it's a pro job. More than I expected. I'll let you all know how it drives!

 

[KaiserM715]

Do you have any detail shots of where it attaches to the frame?

 

[The Tank]

What is his definition of a solid hit?

 

[bradyh20]

Not sure, but that's the design that closes.

 

[bradyh20]

Do you have any detail shots of where it attaches to the frame?

Not right now. I sort of ambushed him at the shop to get these. I'll put more up tomorrow. The fiance is a pretty good photographer, so I'll get some higher quality shots from her.