My bumper build: Re-sizing a 1971 ford F100 bumper for an MJ

I know this will be irrelevant to most here, as it is going on an MJ and not an XJ, but oh well. Anyway, this is my first build.


Well, I decided that I didn't like my old flimsy stock bumper, and I had an old bumper from a hot rod project. I got a welder for Christmas and I was bored, so things clicked. Heres my build.

Heres the bumper. Outside width is 74'' wide, about 10'' wider than the stock MJ bumper. Most of that was the extra metal. The bumper brackets needed to be cut out and replaced. I needed to cut down the bumper a total of 5'' (2.5'' each side) to make it fit. It is made out of 1/8’’ and 3/8’’ plate steel. THIS WILL NOT BE A LOAD BEARING BUMPER. That is what ii have a trailer hitch for. Nothing will ever be connected to it.





Pictures of brackets






Test fits















Start to cut. I didn’t think about where I was cutting so I cut a little further in than I wanted. I guess I should have measured. Oh well.

Heres one side cut.



I didn’t take pictures of the other side cut. I took 2.5 inches out of each side.

One side tacked back on.








This shows how far the bumper sits below the bed.







This shows the side where it will be bolted to the bed. I will use a rubber bushing on each side of the bed and a washer between it and the nut on the inside of the bed.



Other side tacked on.







I have a little bit of a gap in between where I cut. My sawzall skills are lacking. I’m using the metal that I cut out of the bumper for form “straps” over the gaps, then welding that on the outside and inside.







That’s my rear bumper build, Hope ya’ll liked reading it. I still need to do the final welding, and cut the piece that sticks up in front of my tailgate down so i can use my tailgate again.






I also cut my friont bumper at an angle like just about everyone else. Heres pics.

Well your skills will become better as you do this kind of stuff. And IMO it looks awesome. Love the fact that SOME people like myself like to be out of the ordinary when building. Keep up the good work and post pictures when it is all done.

-PJ-

absolutely loving it. lets see some welds. are you good yet?

Well, don't forget, my Mom can always weld you a bumper

Looks good, nice vision

Here are some finished pics. Well not finished. Gotta prime and paint tomorrow.

That's one Helluva departure angle. It is something different though, nice job making use of an otherwise worthless bumper.

If you decide you want a front bumper, the XJ one fits the MJ...I can make you decent deals on any of the XJ ones we make here. I think the basic one is only like $240.

Yeah I never realized how wide the sumbitch was untill I took that picture. Makes a good step and seat though.

And JR, I may have to take you up on that. I think I may build a front one though.

I think it looks great now that it is painted. The only thing I might of changed is not have it stick out so much cut off an inch or two so I could push it in more.

Dude... You Painted the Blingtastic Diamond Plate... You need to take it off and go have it chromed.. you also need to polish the diamond plate on the bed rails... Make it shine..

Then it will look good. I am getting ready to fab up a front. One Idea I had was to tack on a couple of 3 inch rings to the flat areas for Can Holders. That Bumber will make a good seat.. you should add a place for your beer. or Soda as it may be.

I realized i could have cut it a bit more to suck it in after i welded it to the brackets... D'oh.

I was actually thinkin maybe some 3 ID'' pipe and a 3 1/8'' hole saw, weld a strap across the bottom and have the pipe go down about 2''....

Thanks for the complements guys.