DIY off road bumper cool

[ratz fac]

Press release:
Ratz fabrication would like feedback from the Scout community. We are have a new product line of high quality, great looking off road bumpers for the do it your selfer. This is a spin off operation from our other offroad company. We have been manufacturing Scout parts for many years. The concept is simple a one piece flat bumper that folds together, gets mig welded and ground smooth for the finish of your choice. Total weld and grind time 2 hours. The bumper is 3/16th steel, has clevis mounts, accepts a winch, has beveled design for that slide over rock slash skid plate look. Total weight around 66 lbs. Shipping will be cheaper due to the flat packaging . These bumpers typically sell for 500.00 and up. We will have a non winch version soon. We expect to offer to the scout community for around 285.00. Dealer distribution and sales will offer these exclusively at a later time. This unit will also be offered for the Scout 800 shortly with jeep and early bronco to follow. Email any questions to delongtd@yahoo.com For more information and more pictures go to http://ratzfab.blogspot.com/ Thanks for any feed back.

[Halfbox P]

Good looking product. How does it attach to the truck?

[Mark B]

I like the concept. Very innovative!

[Jensers]

Looks like a great idea - funny that this has not been offered before as it is such a simple and easy product to produce. Alot of these welder-series products are popping up - I would assume the water/laser/plasma cutting rigs are becoming more affordable so guys can come up with stuff like this for niche vehicles.

Anyway - good on ya for coming up with it. Lets see some side views so we can get a better idea of the whole fit and finish.

Oh - also I added the missing letters for Jeep and Bronco. It is better for searching purposes, and also we are pretty laid back about other manufacturers... To each his own.

[ratz fac]

Originally Posted by Halfbox P

Good looking product. How does it attach to the truck?

On the Scout II it mounts to the frame boxed section useing a "c" bracket style mount. Thanks

[ratz fac]

Originally Posted by Jensers

Looks like a great idea - funny that this has not been offered before as it is such a simple and easy product to produce. Alot of these welder-series products are popping up - I would assume the water/laser/plasma cutting rigs are becoming more affordable so guys can come up with stuff like this for niche vehicles.

Anyway - good on ya for coming up with it. Lets see some side views so we can get a better idea of the whole fit and finish.

Oh - also I added the missing letters for Jeep and Bronco. It is better for searching purposes, and also we are pretty laid back about other manufacturers... To each his own.

Like to here that, we all own them. Thanks for the advice, more pics will come

[ratz fac]

Originally Posted by Mark B

I like the concept. Very innovative!

Scout 80 800 bumpes are coming next.

[guidolyons]

Cool idea I like the integrated winch mount, but I'd be concerned about having slotted holes versus the standard 10" x 4.5" mounting pattern.

[ratz fac]

We do all the cad design work in house so it is a easy fix if you prefer 4.5 x 10 holes. We were concerned about clearance of certain winches front to back. Thanks for the feed back. Let me know.

[wesfab]

So you guys do the easy part, then let us do all the work? Going by the pic were you have the bent up, that is ALOT of welding. Even though 110v welders are popping up in most garages, that doesnt mean people know how to use em. I can see alot of guys being dissapointed with their finished product.(not your fault, the guy weldings fault) Imagine a novice welder making this bumper and trying to use the clevis mounts for the first time...
(edit: i took a better look at your clevis mounts. Im guessing the will be tied into the frame)


I'll give you credit though. Your end product is sexy.

[brained]

Originally Posted by delongtd

Scout 80 800 bumpes are coming next.

Rear too?

[ratz fac]

Originally Posted by wesfab

So you guys do the easy part, then let us do all the work? Going by the pic were you have the bent up, that is ALOT of welding. Even though 110v welders are popping up in most garages, that doesnt mean people know how to use em. I can see alot of guys being dissapointed with their finished product.(not your fault, the guy weldings fault) Imagine a novice welder making this bumper and trying to use the clevis mounts for the first time...
(edit: i took a better look at your clevis mounts. Im guessing the will be tied into the frame)


I'll give you credit though. Your end product is sexy.

All true but the way it bends up it is a easy weld, you can even weld the inside and finish off the seams with seam sealer for a very clean look. I prefer to weld and grind. Off course it should be done by a competent welder to ease the finish time. Bumper will also be offered as a complete finished product,[un painted] for the rest of us.

[ratz fac]

Originally Posted by brained

Rear too?

Coming but there are four front designs ahead of it, so it will be a while. Thanks

[jeffs_62]

Make sure you post up as soon as you got it for the 80/800.

And get on them rears. The Jeep and Bronco guys can wait.

[ratz fac]

You got it.

[Mark B]

Originally Posted by guidolyons

Cool idea I like the integrated winch mount, but I'd be concerned about having slotted holes versus the standard 10" x 4.5" mounting pattern.

Of course you won't make everyone happy with whatever you do, but I have to agree with Guido , and since your target market is capable of welding, surely they can drill (and sleeve if desired) 4 holes where they need to be, or with a little feedback, you can find a "most probable location" I'm sure that would cut down on the cutting time as well. Something to consider when making the 800 rear, is that the stock mounting points are not adequate for a real bumper IMO and good mounting should be included in the design. As for the comment of leaving us to do all the work, I think that is part of the "I did it myself" factor. and for those that don't have a waterjet, or plasma cutter, that is still quite a bit of work already done for you, most likely bettter than the average wrencher can do it... I look forward to seeing how this product fares.

[jeffs_62]

I think Mark nailed it...........
I like the fact that I can do most of it myself. Make my welder pay for itself as opposed to paying someone else to do that part. I really like the look of that style bumper, and if I went to ORU and got a similar product that might work, I would be looking at 1,600-2,000 and still have to figure out how to make it work.

Of course there is always the option of a complete one off design of your own, if you have the tools and the skill.

[brained]

Originally Posted by Mark B

since your target market is capable of welding

Or can provide a six pack to their buddy who can.

I'm first in line for an 80/800 rear!

[ratz fac]

Great feedback guys, I only have a heavily modified 800 to platform the front and rear bumper from, so any advise on mounting will expedite the front and rear. Basic design is done other than mounts. Clevis mounts? Receiver?

[jeffs_62]

My current bumper is mounted with C-channel. I cut the tips of my frame horns off and slid them into the frame. It was what I had laying around.

[colorado_okie]

This is exactly what I've been looking for!! I've got a front bumper mocked up with cardboard, but 3/16 is $9 sq/ft at my locals supply. A winch bumper and the milemarker winch from costco for under $600, count me in!

- Randy

[Gustav129]

I like the idea and the price is great too. Looks easy enough to add a stinger/light bar to it also.

I've seen a few kits of this nature for Mustang II front ends too.

[jeffs_62]

Originally Posted by ratz fac

Great feedback guys, I only have a heavily modified 800 to platform the front and rear bumper from, so any advise on mounting will expedite the front and rear. Basic design is done other than mounts. Clevis mounts? Receiver?

Definately on the clevis mounts.
I like the reciever idea because my winch is mounted on a reciever cradle.

[Todd Munns]

Very nice just may need to purchase one of those.

[Binderman]

Originally Posted by ratz fac

I only have a heavily modified 800 to platform the front and rear bumper from.

Pics and specs of said truck??

Nice bumper design!!