custom 4x4 bumpers

[mad57]

hi i was wondering if any one out there with a custom bumper front/rear has the measurments of one written down.i finally was able to afford my 2003 4x4 quigley e350 and i would love toput a bad as* front bumper onit but cant afford $16** right now. but..... i can weld and would love the challenge to build one. if any body like me has wanted to build one or has exact measurements of one please let me know thanks again mad57.

[Skywagon]

Mad 57
It's pretty easy to make a bumper if you know what you want. I used to have a fabrication shop and we made them all the time. The easiest way to start is to remove your old bumper and then get some cardboard, a straightedge, and a utility knife. Start by making mock-ups of the attach brackets, and bolt them on the front of the van. Then just make the bumper out of cardboard and tape it together. When you get everything as you want it, take it all apart and voila!, you have all the templates of the steel (or aluminum) pieces already to trace on the metal. If you're using aluminum, you can lay it out on the sheet and cut it out with a skilsaw; and if steel, use a torch or better still, a plasma torch if you have access to one. Or, of course, you can just give Aluminess your first born, and take the Trojan bumper home and bolt it on.
Good luck,
Bill