I haven't posted much on here, but I have definitely browsed my fair share. I figured I should contribute a little.

Backstory:
I am a Industrial Cad Designer by day. Just got in a fender bender, didn't want to have to pay retail price on an aftermarket bumper, we have a CNC Plasma cutter and Mild Steel isn't that expensive.

I put a lot of mileage on my truck every year, around 20k, and accidents are bound to happen, I wanted a bumper that would protect my front end, but I didn't need a Winch, so I wanted it to be a little more "streamlined" and not as deep as most of the ones on the market now. In the future I will add some tubing for a light-bar/grille guard, but for know I am just going to tackle the bumper.

Here is the final "rough" draft(not my truck), my truck should be getting back from the body shop this evening, so I will make up a cardboard template in the next few days to make sure all measurements are accurate. Ill post up some pics then.

What do you guys think? Would you buy a flat packed Weld it Yourself kit, if our company decided to start producing?(we could probably meet or beat current market price) I may just release the design files, the whole reason I wanted to design a bumper, was to get around paying the high prices, maybe I could share the love.

Note: I am not trying to advertise right now, just trying to keep it all in one place to see what current interests are out there.

 

I would buy a flat packed Weld it Yourself bumper kit (that doesn't cost an arm or a leg). That seem like a great idea.

 

1) Most guys cannot weld
2) Wedling THAT much metal is very time consuming and requires proper equipment
3) Welding that many angles allows people to have an uneven bumper that doesn't line up right
4) Welding that much material requires perfect welds or it will look like poo.

I can already see it. Someone gets the whole thing welded up and has to alter the mounting brakckets because they welded something up crooked, or they goofed on a part and now it must be replaced. Then what?

From a consumer standpoint, it's a bad idea and your severely limiting your participation crowd. Having a 'raw' looking bumper is one thing, but making the consumer do all the gritty work is a losing battle that will not go anywhere. It's something I would never buy even though I can weld. You as a factory would want to make molds to hold each piece in place while welding. Unless you can provide the customer molds, it isnt going to be pretty.

 

You might want to get a designer to design one that actually looks good. That thing looks like something made in the 80's that bolted on and tried to enhance the looks of a vehicle. Didn't work then, doesn't work now....IMO