tacoma front bumper build

I recently returned from Marine bootcamp (don't get too excited, I got a medical discharge so I'm not a marine) and bought a 2003 Toyota tacoma double cab, after selling my 2001 Jeep Wrangler. I built a steel front bumper for the Jeep for a school project and loved doing it so my first major project for my tacoma will be front bumper as well.

Im going to be building a plate bumper with some hoops to go in front of the grille, much like the one pictured (except on a first gen. obviously and not nearly as professional). I want to incorporate a winch into it as well, probably just a 9,000 lb. harbor freight winch because I had the 12,000 lb. winch on my Jeep, which i loved, except for the size and weight. I don't need a large winch for the tacoma anyways because I wont really be doing a whole lot of wheeling like I did with the Jeep.

The only question I have is the mounting... I haven't taken the time to even begin making plans for the bumper mounts but would like to see what y'all have done to get some ideas. It will probably be a couple of weeks until I can even start on the project because I need to save up to buy the steel.

Im open to any ideas and want to see y'all's builds too!

I posted this on Yota tech but noticed how inactive it is in comparison to here

 

Welcome to tw. Take a look in here will probably give you some idea's.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-offroad-bumper-options-gallery-w-pics.292292/

 

Also trail gear sells a front bumper mounting plate you could possibly use. It's made for there front bumper application. But they do sell it separately if you wanna go that route.

 

do you by chance have a link to that? mounting can be a pain in the ass so if it's cheap enough i'll do that to make my life easier!

 

Think it's like $150...give me a sec I'll look for the link.

 

Here ya go... https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/HARDW...MA/i_0_0_3214/_120248-1-KIT.aspx#.Vz3ABcnn_qA

 

yeah $150 is about my budget for the steel so i'll just take the extra time to make it myself! I have a local steel supplier that sells me their scrap so it is relatively cheap.

Thank you for the ideas though! Im going to go with something similar to the Relentless fab but with steel hoops and a cut out (or cut outs) for light bars. I'll post renderings in a few days