Proto Fab Bumper is coming along...

tx1ton · Dec 21, 2003

Just thought I'd post a few shots as I progress...adding a 1/4" Protofab plate bumper to the front of my '71. Mile-Marker 9000lb winch is ready to mount once I finish the POR...

tx1ton · Dec 21, 2003

Here's how it looks up on the bench...this thing is HEAVY! (93lbs)

tx1ton · Dec 21, 2003

And here it is coated with POR15...Black Cote to follow once it's dry. Will post more once it's on the front for good.

tx1ton · Dec 21, 2003

Ok, one more shot - yes I'm shameless but hey, I like the looks of this bumper! ;D

TexasBronco · Dec 21, 2003

How wide is the flat part on the front bumper? I am planning to build one like this for my self since I can't use any bumper that bolts to "stock"

tx1ton · Dec 21, 2003

It's "roughly" 9 inches, that accomodates most winches. What I really like about it is the slanting front, it too is a 9" surface. What got me sold on this bumper was the following picture in the Protofab catalog. Also, talking with them they were really great - very helpful and patient to answer all my questions. It's a pretty "involved" design though looking at it - If I was really good with a welder and as a draftsman I suppose I'd tackle it myself but...I'm neither of those!

supermottl · Dec 21, 2003

I second the excellent customer service. I spoke with them directly when i bought my rear bumper, jerry can, cooler, tire carrier. They basically make each and every bumper custom, as I also added the cam-locks. So easy to lock now, it's great...

TW, how did you use the POR, did you brush it on, or spray? Any small bubbles? Or did they all smooth out? Gloss? SemiGloss?
Nice looking rig BTW..

tx1ton · Dec 21, 2003

Thanks, it's starting to really come together now.

I brushed the POR on using a 2" foam brush. It seems to lay on nicely, no bubbles at all. Minor runs but I was able to go back and brush them out and the brush marks very quickly leveled out. Overall I'm very pleased with it - although it would have been best to be in a lint free environment, which my garage most definitely is not! I should have also read the instructions regarding ventilation...%) It was cool out today so brilliant guy that I am I kept the door closed and heated up the garage a bit. I donnnn't nooootisch annny shluring or anthing so guess I'll live. %)

Another "mistake" was using the black POR, since I plan to use the blackcote top coat (you need to do that as POR is UV sensitive). If I'd used a different color POR it would have made it much easier making sure I'd covered properly with the topcoat. However, reading the instructions it looks like scuffing the POR with 600 wet/dry prior is recommended so I should be able to still tell where I've covered...I'll post pics after that, and once I get it on the EB!

JaxLax · Dec 21, 2003

dropped my new protofab off to be powder coated, should get some pics soon...

tx1ton · Dec 21, 2003

I considered that, but the cost was pretty steep...and I didn't want to worry about touch up later when the inevitable rock chips and scratches occured - not to mention the ricer rashes...;D

Post some pics though when you get it back, sure will be pretty I'll bet!

JaxLax · Dec 21, 2003

East Coast is going to blast and coat it in white for $115. (PS my bumper is this one)

tx1ton · Dec 22, 2003

Quote I got here in Dallas was $150, so I figured I'd try out POR first. So far so good...I just stuck it on the front of the '71 ;D

tx1ton · Dec 22, 2003

Lighting's kind've poor, but here's a 2nd shot. Fits pretty good, just a minor amount of widening needed on the bolt holes and I'm there! Later this week I will be topcoating it and then the winch goes on....

TexasBronco · Dec 22, 2003

How much was shipping on it?

VBH289 · Dec 22, 2003

I like that bumper.... Where to get one??:?

toddz69 · Dec 23, 2003

www.protofab4x4.com

Todd Z.

4x4Alaska · Dec 23, 2003

It's nice to see your priorities are in order.....Bronco and boat in the garage and the car outside.....my garage houses the Harley and the Bronco and the car gets to stay outside too.....

77TexasBronc · Dec 23, 2003

Looks great. Nice looking rig BTW. Seeing a lot of red EB's here lately...

;D

tx1ton · Dec 23, 2003

Thanks all for the complements - makes ya' all warm and fuzzy feeling;D

To answer some of the questions as was posted earlier I got the bumper from Protofab at: http://www.protofab4x4.com/products.htm#EB
It ran $420 but at the time they were running a 10% off sale so I saved a bit. Shipping was ~50 bucks (93lbs via UPS to Texas).

And as to the bronco - it's really Orange not Red, but the pic was kind've dark...

Dusty · Dec 23, 2003

I love my Protofab bumper too. Last time out I got to take advantage of the nifty slots for the hi-lift jack:

Dusty

Proto Fab Bumper is coming along...

Sr. Member

Attachments

Sr. Member

Attachments

Sr. Member

Attachments

Sr. Member

Attachments

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Attachments

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Bronco Guru

Attachments

Sr. Member

Attachments

Sr. Member

Attachments

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Bronco Guru

Similar threads