I priced some bumpers from the few manufacturers that still make them for the 97-03. I wasn't interested in paying $1800 or more so I decided to build my own, i'm kinda building it backwards but so far so good, its 3/16 plate with a 1/4 plate for the winch mount

 

Looks awesome! I'm planning on doin the same, just a but different...

Great frikken job man! ! !

 

Looks pretty good. IMO I would have curved the edges a bit more to go with the rounded nose of our trucks. But it still looks nice!!

 

found another one


the shackle mounts go through the plate and are welded front and back, I'm hoping to get some time to fab the mounting plate over the next few days, the bumper will bolt on to the truck using the original tow hook holes

 

How did you make the hole for fogs and did you bend a plate inside to not have a hole into the bumper? If that makes any sense.. lol. How did you make the "wall" inside the fog light opening.

 

I cut the hole with a cutting torch and used a small length of pipe for the light pots

 

Ok, that makes total sense.. Haha. I've been wanting to build 1 for a while now. Either that style, or a big tube bumper. I got access to all the steel and equiptment I need to build it.. just need the idea and time.

 

I did a Google image search for 97-03 F150 winch bumper, I picked the one I liked the most and followed the design to the best of my ability, just to show my ability heres a pic of my 5.0L prerunner ranger with "homemade" long travle suspension

 

That's pretty badass man. Is that truck up and running? I think a 5.0 long travel Ranger would be so fun..

 

I sold the ranger with electrical, plumbing and interior left to finish, I drove it for a long with that suspension setup and the 4 banger, I built the chasis, cage and motor, put dual battries, fuel cell, and radiator in the rear, it was around that time when the wife complained about the money being spent and I got a offer I couldn't refuse so it went to a new home, but now I have a better job, bigger truck and plenty of plans for a fun toy/daily driver