DIY: Increase Approach Angle with Modified Skid and Bumper

Texoma · Apr 27, 2022

Naveronski said: ↑

Yes sir
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Slashaar · Apr 27, 2022

@Sasquatch3153 @CygnusX191

Sasquatch3153 · Apr 27, 2022

Slashaar said: ↑

@Sasquatch3153 @CygnusX191
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You're a monster

Slashaar · Apr 27, 2022

Sasquatch3153 said: ↑

You're a monster
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Sasquatch3153 · Apr 27, 2022

Slashaar said: ↑

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Stop it

Slashaar · Apr 27, 2022

Sasquatch3153 said: ↑

Stop it
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Sasquatch3153 · Apr 28, 2022

Slashaar said: ↑

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Skootter14 · Nov 19, 2022

EatSleepTacos[OP] initial post: ↑

I thought I would create this thread to better document one of the more unique things I've done. It's all in my build thread, but wanted it to be more easily searchable and consolidated for future readers to stumble upon.

What I did was cut off the factory cross-member that my IFS skid mounts to and move it higher, creating more clearance and a better approach angle offroad. Then I built a bumper to pair with that. Here is a sketch of what I will gain.

Here is the angle of my skidplate before any modification. For reference, I have a Mobtown Offroad skid which is reinforced 3/16" steel.

My idea was to reuse the part I cut out, but it was too deep and interfered with the radiator. So I chose to use some 2" square tube, .120 wall. I moved the cross-member as high as I could, while still being ~1/2" below the radiator. I didn't want to put the skid too close to it and risk damaging it.

In this pic, the skid plate is totally bolted up, not sagging at all. So that's how much of a difference there is, approx 4".

Next up was to modify my skid plate. I cut off the front of it, and built a new piece out of 1/4" steel.

Here is my clearance behind it. Plenty of room and I didn't have to modify anything.

I used rivnuts for my skid plate mounting points. I thought about doing something stronger, but the rivnuts themselves really aren't seeing much force at all. They're just clamping the skidplate to the cross-member, and the cross-member will be taking all the force in a hit.

Here is a good visual comparison of stock vs mine.

Now that the skid plate portion is done, it's time to build a new bumper. All off the shelf bumpers are designed around a stock truck, so they go down as low as the stock cross-member, so obviously those would not work for me. I have no experience working with round tube, so I used the funds from selling my old bumper to purchase a tube bender. I just jumped right in.

The idea was to get the winch as high and tight as possible, while still looking good. Function over form in this case though. I wanted the winch tray to be as beefy as possible, and then any tube coming off that would just be aesthetics pretty much.

1/4" mounting plate, .120 wall dom tube, and 1/4" winch plate, with 1/4" gussets.

Now that that's done, get started on all the tube work.

Added some 1/8" plate to the center to clean up the look and also to house the fairlead

Then finally, I added some Baja Designs pods to the top, and a bar to protect them. The bar is about 1/2" in front of the lights so I don't need to worry about bumping into a tree.

Grand total weight of the bumper is 82 pounds without lights or winch. With, about 125-130. Overall a very light combination. And here's the bumper in action. I've done this obstacle before and had to stack rocks about a foot away, because my bumper would ram into the rock. Not anymore!!

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That's a slick bumper man!

mattraptor · Jan 6, 2023

Nice man! I like it!

Hercanstein · Jan 6, 2023

Excellent build and write up!

Thanks fer sharin'!

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DIY: Increase Approach Angle with Modified Skid and Bumper

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DIY: Increase Approach Angle with Modified Skid and Bumper

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#84 Slashaar Trail Limo Supreme & Certified Hole Massager

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#81
Texoma IG: Triple C Chop Shop

#82
Slashaar Trail Limo Supreme & Certified Hole Massager

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Sasquatch3153 Sassy Squatch

#84
Slashaar Trail Limo Supreme & Certified Hole Massager

#85
Sasquatch3153 Sassy Squatch

#86
Slashaar Trail Limo Supreme & Certified Hole Massager

#87
Sasquatch3153 Sassy Squatch

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Skootter14 Upon my signal, unleash Hell

#89
mattraptor Well-Known Member

#90
Hercanstein Well-Known Member

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