Need input on a idea I have for a bumper.

[84fiero123]

I was helping a buddy today, needed to pick up some stuff for a remodeling job at home hell hole.

So we drove down to their local store, 40 miles away. During the ride we saw all these newer trucks with these plastic bumpers.

He was saying how with all the equipment/tools we have between the 2 of us we should make custom truck bumpers. I had told him about one I had made years ago for a friend that wanted an air tank built in the bumper. The entire rear bumper looked like the regular step and tow bumper for his truck but was built to hold air with a quick release coupling for your standard air hose.

The guy I built this for had converted his air conditioning compressor to make air for filling tires but it took so long to fill a tire he wanted something that he could fill so he had a reserve tank so to speak.

Well I built it out of 1/8” diamond plate steel top and step the rest was 1/8” flat steel. It was heavy and heavy duty to say the least. Looked similar to a standard step and tow bumper.

He could fill the tank at any air compressor or with his on board air compressor.

Now here is my question.

I know this guy loved his, but is there a market for something like this?

I think so, how about you guys who go off road?

Would this be something of interest to you guys?

I checked the LMC catalog and the factory bumper for my 94 Burb costs $399 for just the shell. Now add the filler $20. Then the step top pad $60. Bumper brace kit $60. Small center step pad $20. Impact strips left and right $40.

that’s $600 total to replace the factory bumper.

I haven’t checked the local steel prices yet but I bet I could make this for less than $100 in steel.

Now what would you rather have the factory bumper at $600 or something like what I am talking about for $750 or so.

[kris]

Yes, there is a market. But you would be trying to tap into a line of products that already has manufacturers that have proven themselves, such as Warn, ARB, etc.

[84fiero123]

Yes but do they make a bumper like this one? With the air storage built into the bumper?

I did a search on the net for a bumper that holds air and only came up with those made by owners not companies.

Please if you can find a link to post.

[kris]

Originally Posted by 84fiero123

Yes but do they make a bumper like this one? With the air storage built into the bumper?

I did a search on the net for a bumper that holds air and only came up with those made by owners not companies.

Please if you can find a link to post.

I didn't catch the part about the air storage in the bumper. What happens in a hard front end collision?

[84fiero123]

Originally Posted by kris

I didn't catch the part about the air storage in the bumper. What happens in a hard front end collision?

Can we say air bag?

I was talking about a rear step and tow bumper, but someone on another forum had requested a front bumper as well as the rear.

With just 125 to 175 lbs of air nothing the tank may rupture letting air escape but will not explode.

Sort of like listening to my mother-in-law.

This is what is considered a low pressure tank.