The "Pandacorn" DCSB build and travel thread

After rigging the bumper to fit the winch I decided I was unhappy with it (first world problems). Then after seeing how clean and simple @Spoonman ’s front bumper was I knew it was time for a change. Posted up mine on Craigslist and after it sold started on a new one.

Before


The goal with the new bumper was to be designed around the winch, add recovery points, higher clearance angles, less bulk and better lighting (big lights didn’t produce near the power of a simple bro bar).

Started by boxing in the front of the frame and adding the main base hoop. My buddy with the bender came up with the idea of angling it up for better approach angles and a cleaner transition line into a front skid.




Next was actual dedicated winch mounts made out of C channel which will also help box in the main hoop for strength.

Added side braces to the body mounts for strength.

Bla bla bla bumper


High and tight

Recovery points


Waiting on lights to come in now. Then I’ll have to fab in a couple mounting tabs. Still need to drill the mount holes for the winch and weld on some tabs for the fairlead then paint!

Trying to find a stock skid to get by for the moment. Future plan is to get a shorter 4cyl radiator and then build a skid high and tight to finish it up.

 

Lookin good man

 

So you just welded the tube straight to the frame? I guess if you ever want to change it it's a matter of chopping it off?

 

Yea I wanted the front of the frame boxed in. Might be all in my head but seemed like a weak point.

I only ever took the last bumper off once and that was to sell it. Figured it would be simpler and super solid to hard mount the bumper. If it ever has to come off for some reason I’ll just have to grab the torch instead of wrenches. Bright side is no one is stealing it haha

 

Nice beads on that bumper! I wish I could do that kind of quality welding!

 

It most definitely is a weak point, I've seen the frame rail bend when someone was using the stock recovery hook (including my old frame). Looks good dude.

 

Minor progress today but hey it still counts for something ha! Got the holes drilled for the winch mount and cut up some brackets for the fairlead.


Keeping with the new theme, high and tight. Fits like butter.


Just need to make light mounts tomorrow and then paint. Can’t wait to get it done because it feels like a step back to where I already was. Failed the do it once do it right moto. But then again there is always room for improvement..

 

So what didn't you like about the round lights?

 

They lacked serious distance. The single bumper light bar I had early on far out shined the big 9” round lights. The round ones were 185w but were basically a glorified fog. Strong but in a shallow area. In my experience the light bar produced far better lighting overall and especially as far as distance is concerned. This pains me to say because bro bars are meh and I would rather have rounds if they worked as well. Seems the only option is non led like you have now on frank.

 

Yeah the 240Blitz's go damn far. But very focused.

Too bad. I was looking to get some like that. Seems the optics suck i suppose would be the only reason I can think it would be different than a bro bar. Theres some out there that have different optics now than yours. But still.

With the new Baja lighting lasers thing looks sweet but for a grand...nah. haha

 

It had to be the optics. Weird because good wattage and solid number of HID’s but just didn’t preform the same. I agree with you though. Tough to spend an insane amount of money for something that could easily get smashed when there are cheaper options that still produce solid results. Same reason I can’t convince myself to go with retrofits. It’s a solid amount of light but not even close to anything I could add to the bumper.
I need to just order CAPA certified replacement headlights to replace the foggy stockers and rely on the bumper lights for enhanced off road performance

 

Yeah with the new updated LED H4s that actually work and don't blind everyone. Id do that. 100w LED in new housings would be an upgrade.

I want to get something on my double cab before winter hits. Just not sure what im gonna go for really.

Was eyeing these a bit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-9inch...-Round-Spotlight-BAR-Offroad-HID/262508194575

This was an option too for a time. https://www.ebay.com/itm/20inch-240...-Truck-4WD-ATV-/182025946411?oid=271864991382

Now idk. I have some great LED Pods for ditch lights so really just need something firing down the middle. The Bajas looks sweet but damn..haha Id rather buy a locker.

 

First off sorry for the dark garage pics...

Tonight’s progress, tabs for lights made and welded on (should be here by the weekend). Taped off, covered and painted!



Winch and fairlead installed.




Had to re-clock the winch to clear the front bars. Reverse clock clears the radiator and the grill so I didn’t have to chop it up! The lever looks insanely tight in the pictures but there is actually more clearance than there appears.




I’ll get some better shots during the day after the lights come in and I get them mounted up.

 

I clocked rearward for the same issue. I kinda love how tucked it is. So low profile clocked rearwards. Dude the bumper came out great with the winch in and painted. Super clean work. How do you plan on mounting a skid now? Or do you plan on adding a skid at all?

 

I want to get a 4cyl radiator so it doesn’t hang down so low. After that I planned on making my own skid. Figured it would be easy enough to just weld some mounting tabs on and bolt it up. With the radiator out of the way it theoretically will be simple to make. Should have a way better entry angle being able to tuck it up too.

 

Got the lights on and everything is wired up. Definitely brighter than the old setup.

 

Sub'd! Awesome build.

 

I was looking at tires I’ve always ran MT, I’ve heard good things about the at3 wild peaks, but now seeing those pictures in the snow I’m considering going to the them

 

Not a ton of updates. I've been doing way more driving than building lately.

 

Everyone's goals lol