homemade front bumper for front leaf springs?

hockey10588 · 07-30-2006, 02:36 PM

anyone have any dimensions or CAD files for a simple custom front bumper that I can run front leaf springs with? I really want to run front leaves for the simplicity and clean look and I've run over many a picture with custom front bumpers with mounting brackets for the shackles.

anyone got any pics or measurments?

DirtyCommanche · 07-30-2006, 03:39 PM

Nope, but it's really easy if you have a tape measure.

The only hint I'll give you is it's 35" wide to accomodate the 32" spring centre/centre. I'll get you a finished pic tonight if you care, I just hadfn't gotten around to taking one.

hockey10588 · 07-30-2006, 03:52 PM

ya a finished pic would be great.

how much do you think this whole swap has cost you?

DirtyCommanche · 07-30-2006, 04:29 PM

Mmm, so far? It's not done... About $150. But, that's for steel, rod, disks, and the springs, and a DP arm.

But, that depends what you consider a cost. I have two axle lying around that I'm not factoring into that, a gearset, a full spool, an install kit, and a bunch of other BS. I will need to buy a new knuckle, plus have them machined, and some high steer arms (I might make them), and track down a new drag link. Plus make a tie rod. And then it's the hydro assist.

You also have to factor in that I burned up my angle grinder, and had to buy a new one. I also have a chop saw and a drill press.

I'll get ya a pic of the whole crossmember in place, and the winch, tonight. That cut out and the drop out tray are for a winch.

**Matt Gertsch** · 07-30-2006, 05:40 PM

Why the swap to leaves?

hockey10588 · 07-30-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgertsch

Why the swap to leaves?

well my front suspension is sagging pretty bad and I want to move to 5+ inches so I figured instead of $100 on new coils and $300+ for upper and lower control arms and a new trackbar I could probably convert to front YJ leaves for less than $500.

I have someone that can weld and do all the fabbing for me for free so I just have to buy the hard parts. It also looks so clean and can still flex pretty well if you build it right.

**Matt Gertsch** · 07-30-2006, 06:03 PM

I'm with you there, you just can't invert coils. It just seems like a lot of work to save a few bucks. I've prototyped a few things using a tape measure, cardboard and masking tape. Once you have the cardboard model built, you can cut the tape apart and use the pieces of cardboard as a template.

LEAD_NOT_FOLLOW · 07-30-2006, 07:07 PM

DirtyCommanche · 07-30-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey10588

well my front suspension is sagging pretty bad and I want to move to 5+ inches so I figured instead of $100 on new coils and $300+ for upper and lower control arms and a new trackbar I could probably convert to front YJ leaves for less than $500.

I have someone that can weld and do all the fabbing for me for free so I just have to buy the hard parts. It also looks so clean and can still flex pretty well if you build it right.

Okay, not to totally burst your bubble...

YJ leaves without huge assed shackles like leady boy posted are only going to give you about 4-5" spring over.

You are NOT going to save money doing this opposed to running off the shelf parts. Well, compared to totally off the shelf parts. It is easier/cheaper to build a whole long arm setup and buy new front coils. I ran a LA setup on this truck before this. I will build another one after I am done the leafs, unless it works way better than I anticipte. I know, you're wonding why I'm running leafs then... Becuase I could, and I am being lazy right now and want to track down 1-ton axles for my next swap, and I wanted to get the truck back to wheeling fast.

And if any friend of mine wanted me to build this setup for free, I'd tell him to drop on his head. That's the third revision of that front crossmember, and the rear hangers aren't even in yet. Granted I'm being a pretty boy and mounting a winch too. Welding upside down above your head is NOT something I consider fun.

What axle(s) are you planning on using?

DirtyCommanche · 07-30-2006, 11:48 PM

Ah, pic.

Since I said I would. Winch not mounted though. Rained too hard.

07-30-2006, 03:52 PM	#3
hockey10588 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boulder Posts: 168 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	ya a finished pic would be great. how much do you think this whole swap has cost you? __________________ [SIZE="1"] 90 XJ AW4 242 d30/d35 4" rustys/RE lift - 33" muds - soft 8's - flexy flares - straight piped - rustys intake - AW4 TCU mod - a/c to OBA[/SIZE]

07-30-2006, 03:39 PM	#2
DirtyCommanche Web Wheeler Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,472 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Nope, but it's really easy if you have a tape measure. The only hint I'll give you is it's 35" wide to accomodate the 32" spring centre/centre. I'll get you a finished pic tonight if you care, I just hadfn't gotten around to taking one.

07-30-2006, 04:29 PM	#4
DirtyCommanche Web Wheeler Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,472 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Mmm, so far? It's not done... About $150. But, that's for steel, rod, disks, and the springs, and a DP arm. But, that depends what you consider a cost. I have two axle lying around that I'm not factoring into that, a gearset, a full spool, an install kit, and a bunch of other BS. I will need to buy a new knuckle, plus have them machined, and some high steer arms (I might make them), and track down a new drag link. Plus make a tie rod. And then it's the hydro assist. You also have to factor in that I burned up my angle grinder, and had to buy a new one. I also have a chop saw and a drill press. I'll get ya a pic of the whole crossmember in place, and the winch, tonight. That cut out and the drop out tray are for a winch.

07-30-2006, 11:48 PM	#10
DirtyCommanche Web Wheeler Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,472 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Ah, pic. Since I said I would. Winch not mounted though. Rained too hard.