Southern California Club Xterra

Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX General Discussion => Topic started by: ShockBlue_Scott on August 09, 2013, 07:04:01 AM

Title: Off road bumpers
Post by: ShockBlue_Scott on August 09, 2013, 07:04:01 AM
Last night while looking around on craigslist I found a guy in Chula Vista that does fab work. He does pretty much everything you can think of. I asked him if he would be interested in mass production for bumpers, he said he would.

So my question is how many of you would be interested? I've sent him a few pictures of bumpers I would like, basic rear with a swing out/hitch receiver/ as well as some brackets for "D" rings. The front is basically a Heftyfab bumper without the loops just a center bar for lights and a winch but designed for 1st Gen.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/WRX_scott/30d91935c747d13bf569f28c47ae219f_zpsc2f1fb10.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v736/WRX_scott/88acd9b27881b29ddcc25d7afd6c2ecb_zps49dfa0e1.jpg)

I am fully aware these are pictures of a 2nd Gen but I'm sure he can make changes to fit a 1st Gen.
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Ghost65 on August 09, 2013, 09:37:47 AM
Be sure to talk to Ray/HEVAK before you commit any $$$ to a first time bumper builder/fabricator for the Xterra.
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: ShockBlue_Scott on August 09, 2013, 12:40:35 PM
I'm going to assume it was a horror story for him?
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: xxSVxx on August 09, 2013, 01:07:37 PM
I'm going to assume it was a horror story for him?

It all started out on a dark, stormy night...

Lightning split the night sky as rain drops the size of golf balls doused the entire state.  The power had been out for hours, and the wax from the candles never meant for lighting was dripping onto the frozen hardwood floor.  

Suddenly, there was a sound....a sound unlike anything the campers had ever heard.  Nobody wanted to admit they heard it, but at the same time, they all subconsciously start scooting closer to each other.  The cracking of the wood in the fire was the soundtrack to their night up until then...

None of them had heard of the infamous CHEWDONKEY until that night....and they would never forget that name again....
Title: Re: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: knightrider on August 09, 2013, 01:09:07 PM
This is going to be epic...

Not sent with the stupid auto guide app
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: ShockBlue_Scott on August 09, 2013, 01:41:45 PM
It all started out on a dark, stormy night...

Lightning split the night sky as rain drops the size of golf balls doused the entire state.  The power had been out for hours, and the wax from the candles never meant for lighting was dripping onto the frozen hardwood floor.  

Suddenly, there was a sound....a sound unlike anything the campers had ever heard.  Nobody wanted to admit they heard it, but at the same time, they all subconsciously start scooting closer to each other.  The cracking of the wood in the fire was the soundtrack to their night up until then...

None of them had heard of the infamous CHEWDONKEY until that night....and they would never forget that name again....

Oh no...
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Ghost65 on August 09, 2013, 09:33:04 PM
Lets just say...there is no such thing as a free lunch.

What started out as a promising fabricator/SCCX relationship quickly bogged down into broken promises and long wait times.

Oh yeah, and like Christiaan said, there was lightning and candle wax too.


Sent from Planet Claire using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: HEVAK on August 09, 2013, 09:42:26 PM
Lets just say...there is no such thing as a free lunch.

What started out as a promising fabricator/SCCX relationship quickly bogged down into broken promises and long wait times.


What he said...
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Ghost65 on August 10, 2013, 10:31:51 AM
What he said...

I just want to say...Ray is being very diplomatic here.

ShockBlue_Scott...bottom line is be careful with your time and money.  

If you have plenty of time and don't mind your truck being a template guinea pig, then this might be a good fit working with this fabricator.

Also, consider that a lot of people can build for cosmetic performance, but a select few understand the true torsional aspects of shear/torque on mounting/recovery points for a bumper that will be used for serious winching.

Also depends on what you will use your vehicle for.  If you are just looking for a better bumper with light mounts and better approach/departure angles (and there is nothing wrong with this), then a boutique/back alley fabricator might have the skills necessary to fab something up.

If however, you will be outbacking in either the local or faraway deserts, and winch mounting/solo recovery is your priority, then a trusted/proven bumper fabricator might suit your needs (and reciprocally your wallet).

Nothing worse than a product failing or injuring when you really needed it to perform otherwise.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me or any of the guys here before you slap down your hard earned benjamins...

(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee251/perrymk/change100dollarbills.jpg) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/perrymk/media/change100dollarbills.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Ghost65 on August 10, 2013, 10:34:11 AM
BTW...if you're looking for a solid bumper for a smokin' price...Doug has one for sale:

SCCX Member - ARB Bumper (http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,2019.msg22873/boardseen.html#new)
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: ShockBlue_Scott on August 10, 2013, 11:50:16 AM
BTW...if you're looking for a solid bumper for a smokin' price...Doug has one for sale:

SCCX Member - ARB Bumper

Not what I'm really looking for. I just want a small center loop to provide protection for lights/LED.

 (http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,2019.msg22873/boardseen.html#new)
I just want to say...Ray is being very diplomatic here.

ShockBlue_Scott...bottom line is be careful with your time and money.  

If you have plenty of time and don't mind your truck being a template guinea pig, then this might be a good fit working with this fabricator.

Also, consider that a lot of people can build for cosmetic performance, but a select few understand the true torsional aspects of shear/torque on mounting/recovery points for a bumper that will be used for serious winching.

Also depends on what you will use your vehicle for.  If you are just looking for a better bumper with light mounts and better approach/departure angles (and there is nothing wrong with this), then a boutique/back alley fabricator might have the skills necessary to fab something up.

If however, you will be outbacking in either the local or faraway deserts, and winch mounting/solo recovery is your priority, then a trusted/proven bumper fabricator might suit your needs (and reciprocally your wallet).

Nothing worse than a product failing or injuring when you really needed it to perform otherwise.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me or any of the guys here before you slap down your hard earned benjamins...

(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee251/perrymk/change100dollarbills.jpg) (http://media.photobucket.com/user/perrymk/media/change100dollarbills.jpg.html)

Thanks for the advice. I'll take that into consideration.
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Ghost65 on August 11, 2013, 02:47:24 PM
Thanks for the advice. I'll take that into consideration.

Ha! - too much info...sorry.


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Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: chrishaynesusa on August 11, 2013, 05:44:51 PM
I was the guinea pig for the first 2nd gen bumpers form Calmini.
As I pushed him for a delivery time he told me that I'll get it to you when I feel you can depend on it with your life.
and not until.

He also told me he does not want it to fail as I am hanging by a winch line over a cliff or ledge.

Jeff Arabia also modified my front bumper after I body lifted it

(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b562/chrishaynesusa/IMAG0977_zps127ed94a.jpg)
(http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b562/chrishaynesusa/IMAG0986_zps534d3c94.jpg)
This is a gusset to support the links that anchor my bumper(upper area)


Dont just have someone build you a front bumper that bolts to front frame horns.

it is not enough and the bumper will tilt or bend under load. ( probably f'up your fenders as well.) (see Hefty threads)

Just my .02 YMMV
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: SoCalXTerry on August 11, 2013, 07:14:03 PM
Second your .02.    We have stories from GoneMoab about rigs in a dire situation and the bumper failing (at least bending).
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Toro on August 12, 2013, 07:55:44 AM
Here's my buddy being winched up John Bull. Notice the gap forming around his pass fender and bumper. (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/12/pyqatava.jpg)
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: ShockBlue_Scott on August 12, 2013, 12:23:00 PM
Here's my buddy being winched up John Bull. Notice the gap forming around his pass fender and bumper. (http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/12/pyqatava.jpg)

Ouch. I'll definitely think twice now. Thank you for all your advice
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Ghost65 on August 12, 2013, 02:28:17 PM
That pic says it all Danny.
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: ultrapc40 on August 12, 2013, 04:11:17 PM
There are failing point to all bumpers the key thing to look for is the mounting points not being in single shear. I ripped my Shockworks gen one bumper off at Pismo. Granted that was after 3hrs of recover and we all just got tired so instead of using a strap I kept my winch line out so my friend can give me a tug with me still hooked up to the vehicle being recovered.

After getting a tube bumper build I am all for welding bumpers on the frame.

I also caution any shop that say they will do mass production for you. Ask the right questions, will there be a Jig to ensure correct fit and quality.
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: Ghost65 on August 14, 2013, 11:23:07 AM
More Nissan bumper input/fabricator lead here:

[url/http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/nissan/1323153-addicted-offroads-new-frontier-xterra-bumpers.html]Pirate 4x4 Xterra/Frontier Front Tube Bumper Discussion[/url]
Title: Re: Off road bumpers
Post by: ShockBlue_Scott on August 18, 2013, 10:19:11 AM
More Nissan bumper input/fabricator lead here:

[url/http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/nissan/1323153-addicted-offroads-new-frontier-xterra-bumpers.html]Pirate 4x4 Xterra/Frontier Front Tube Bumper Discussion[/url]

Great read. Like what I see.