Custom built bumper for warn 8274

I am going to start this thread with the reason why I started this bumper build. Sure there are plenty of great bumper options out there. But, I have always loved the warn 8274. Before the Tacoma I had mine mounted on my TJ. Ever since it has been sitting in my garage collecting dust.

Now, starting out I noticed lots of room between radiator and grille. After I removed the bumper and grille I lifted the winch up in place and placed the grille back to see if anything needed to be trimmed. Only a small notch out of the back side of the grille had to be cut out.



With the winch set up there we started looking at how to secure it to the frame. First had to move steering cooler back a bit to clear the mount. Then, started to fab up brackets out of 1/4” steel. After gusseting the brackets i dropped the winch back into the cradle.


Now, I’m doing this in my spare time after work and on weekends when I can. The part I have been worrying about the most is actually making this thing look half way decent. I told myself in the beginning if it looks good I’m going to paint it to match the truck (quicksand). If it lacked the eye appeal the it would just get bed lined and start looking for a store bought bumper.

It was until this next step that I started getting excited about the outcome. I started actually “stickin” a bumper together. The upright style winch sits off center so had to come up with a design that would hide the off center mount.



Now for the outer “wings.” I have started one one side then plan to copy for the other side. All of these pieces are made out of 3/16th steel. The bottom pieces I ended up using 1/4 since that will be the part that takes the most impact. So as of now, I got most of the driver side wing done.



Now the disclaimer: I am in no way a fabricator, welder, or anyone that I would even take advice from. I am excited about this project because it is something different. It’s a great conversation piece.

Stay tuned for the drawn out conclusion of this bumper build.

 

that looks great. a friend of mine mocked a steel bumper up using cardboard which he would cut and glue/tape together. no winch plate though.

 

Boy that's an oldie, what's your significant attachment about it?

Don't know much about them.

 

lots of cardboard has been used in the making of this bumper.

 

These winches are super fast and durable. Also, they hold 150’ of cable. This one isn’t terribly old (90’s) but they do still make these. To buy one new it’s like $3k. To find a used one you’re still looking to pay about $1200 for one.

 

Got a “bit” more done today on the bumper.

 

Cool build, any pics of it finished? I have an 8274 in pieces, but there's no winch bumpers out there to mount one, as far as I can find.

 

Well, I was never able to finish this project. I ended up selling the Tacoma. This thing still sits in my garage, hopefully to be stuck on something in the near future.

 

Sorry to hear that man. Well, let me ask you about it anyway. Were you going to (or, did you) fill in under the headlampa by trimming the original panels down, or with steel plate?

 

I had planned on putting the trimmed bumper pieces back in there.