Proto Fab Bumper is coming along...

[tx1ton]

I'll check the BC's out for sure. I'm not in a big rush, although the LEBC club is headed to Gilmer late in Jan and I sure would like to be able to do > a 2 without scraping my fenders!

 

[tcjones76]

I like the Cool bumper, but I have to ask what are you using for turn signal lights?

 

[Dusty]

I like the Cool bumper, but I have to ask what are you using for turn signal lights?

Who are you asking? I looked back through the thread to see where turn signals came up and can't figure out what you're referring to, unless its the fact that in the pic I posted there are no turn signals installed on my Bronco. If that's what you're referring to, my answer is that I rarely drive it on the street (I trailer it to the trails mostly), and when I do, I use hand signals, which is perfectly legal in daytime.

If your question was directed to someone else please forgive me.

Dusty

 

[tx1ton]

I like the Cool bumper, but I have to ask what are you using for turn signal lights?

Check out pictures on my first posting that started the thread...the bumper is miles away from any turn signals, side markers, etc...no interference at all.

 

[tx1ton]

Who are you asking? I looked back through the thread to see where turn signals came up and can't figure out what you're referring to, unless its the fact that in the pic I posted there are no turn signals installed on my Bronco. If that's what you're referring to, my answer is that I rarely drive it on the street (I trailer it to the trails mostly), and when I do, I use hand signals, which is perfectly legal in daytime.

If your question was directed to someone else please forgive me.

Dusty

Hey Dusty, must've been directed at you...your pic shows no signal lenses in place and I'll bet that's what generated the quesiton...I guess....?:?

 

[Dusty]

Yeah that's probably what he meant.

Any progress on mounting that milemarker? If I were you, I would cut out the existing winch mounts and weld in new ones just like them, but with the correct bolt spacing. They're just flat bar stock with a 90* bend. Your local metal supply might even put that bend in them for you. Gusset them while you're at it (something I wish they had already).

Dusty

 

[tx1ton]

Yeah that's probably what he meant.

Any progress on mounting that milemarker? If I were you, I would cut out the existing winch mounts and weld in new ones just like them, but with the correct bolt spacing. They're just flat bar stock with a 90* bend. Your local metal supply might even put that bend in them for you. Gusset them while you're at it (something I wish they had already).

Dusty

I'll be working on that this weekend in fact. I planned to fab up a 3/8" plate and get it all drilled just right for the Mile Marker - the winch is a B*tch to mount if you don't have the holes lines up just right!. I had planned on welding the plate directly to the existing 90 degree mounts on the P-Fab bumper rather than replacing them since then I'd have ~3/4 thick mounts in effect. I like your idea of gussets though, that's now added to my list! I'll post pic's once I get it set up and mounted. Thanks for the good ideas.

 

[tx1ton]

Well a lot of time's gone by and I finally have it all pretty much done...took longer than planned 'cause I actually had to eat, sleep, and work in between working on the EB...can you imagine!?!? ;D

Here's a shot of the Protofab front bumper with the Mile Marker installed and hooked up. I remote mounted the solenoid too so it's nice and protected under the hood. Sorry for the dark pic, will snap one outside tomorrow hopefully.

 

[tx1ton]

While I was at it I got a Cross Enterprises rear bumper and spare carrier, all bolted up and done this afternoon. Real easy install, I recommend Cross to anyone contemplating bumpers.

 

[tx1ton]

One of the Cross with the tire swung out...I'm likin' it!

 

[Dusty]

Lookin good. Where under the hood did you put the solenoid? Can you run a cable to it without opening the hood? With mine (Warn HS9500 with remote solenoid) I put it to the left of the radiator behind the grill, and removed a short section of the upper left-most grill crossbar to be able to attach the cable without opening the hood. I plan on wiring it to a switch on the dash too at some point.

I like the cross rear bumper, its simple and mostly out of the way. I take it you don't have the patience to wait around for the Protofab rear bumper like I am. Well in my case its more a lack of money than patience.

Dusty

 

[tx1ton]

Thanks Dusty,
I mounted the solenoid on the flat part of the driver side fender. I'll take a pic of it sometime soon - sorry to be slow but work is killing me! I got the wire from home depot and some lugs and just mounted it in place of the stock solenoid to winch wiring. I did not yet relocate the plug for the controller but will do so soon. Plan is to run wires from existing plug out to grill and mount a female plug there, simiply building an extension for the control cable.

I thought of the Proto rear but as you accurately called it was not patient enough to wait for them. Also, I saw the Cross on a buddies EB and liked it enough to go for it. I have not seen any drawings yet of what the Proto rear will look like so went with the known...sure took a long time to get here but it was worth the wait. Finish is top notch powder coated, very easy to mount up and the tire rack works great. Only mod I plan is to build a catch pin for the rack so you can lock it in the open position, as is now it will swing free which is not good on hills or in wind cause it can swing all the way around and crimp yuor right rear fender!

Do you have any pics of the proto rear?

 

[Dusty]

Do you have any pics of the proto rear?

Nope I haven't seen it yet. All I've heard was that they didn't like the way the first prototype came out so they went back to the drawing board. This was a few months back though so I expect they should be getting close.

Dusty

 

[tx1ton]

You're more patient than me...pic below is from the LEBC run to Barnwell's in Gilmer TX last Sunday. Incredible weather for January 25, mid upper 60's and nice and sloppy - but this is why I wanted to get on with the bumpers...and it's what it's all about right?!!

 

[Dusty]

...and it's what it's all about right?!!

Yup, It's All About the Wheeling! But I haven't let my lack of bumpers stop me. I've wheeled for nearly two years without a front bumper and I still don't have a rear bumper...

Dusty

 

[supermottl]

Do you have any pics of the proto rear?

Check out: http://www.supermottl.classicbroncos.com/photo2.html
for pics of the proto rear bumper.
It's the best. Cam-lok all the way. Cooler carrier is the greatest, and can fit a 48 Qt. Coleman. Jerry can is good too cuz I ran out of gas twice already

 

[J-DUB]

I am guessing that thay are talking about a new Proto Fab rear bumper that matches the new Front Bumper that they have on their Broncos.

 

[Gummi Bear]

Here's another pic of tx1ton's rig in action on Sunday. Sure was fun, and that descent is quite a bit steeper than it looks in the pictures (right before he got to where the picture is taken, he was tottering on the passenger front and driver's rear tire, then you have to ease down the ledge *notice the passenger clawing the dash) *(Holy cow, this thing is HUGE!)

 

[supermottl]

gummibear, I like your quoke!!! LOL

 

[tx1ton]

Hey Gummi - thanks for that post! You have to shrink the pic, I do it by sending my pics to myself via email and opting for the shrink option....but anyway, yeah that trail was cool! I really had a great time Sunday.

You did a great job fixin' the broken U-joint on Craigs truck - too bad he blasted it again later...