• RME Gear & Apparel

My Front Bumper/Start of Exo

Klif01

Klif01

Do I bother you?
Location
Denver, CO
Hey, looking for some oppinions, I don't care if you flame me, im 17 I built it, I don't have a bender so I took it to a muffler shop for the bends, now I want to complete this and tie it into an exo cage, round metal tube, pipe, whatever you want to call it (its not dom, im poor/cheap) Bottom piece on the bumper is 1 7/8" OD .120 wall, two pieces that are bent in the same way right in the middle are 1.5" od .125 wall The stinger is 1 3/4" od .120 wall and the stinger braces that connect to the bumper are scraps off the 1.5" od stuf. The fender tube is 1.5" od .125 wall, and I plan to build the rest of the cage out of it. Now, I would like to see your oppinion of how I should tie the rest into an exo cage, I kindof have my ideas but haven't had a chance to play with ms paint or somthing, so if you feel like it, give me an idea or two to play with! Thanks
Tim


Side Pic----------
f83352e7.jpg



Front Pic--------
f8335209.jpg

Sorry I had more but they had errors when I tried to upload them, and I don't have a digital camera any more since my parents moved to mississippi and I am still in utah!
 
Klif01

Klif01

Do I bother you?
Location
Denver, CO
Hickey said:
Exo's are gay.
Click to expand...


What do you think I am?


:D




I like the idea of exo, I didn't ask if I should or should not exo, I asked what it should look like, Yes I have some rear corner protection, I just haven't welded it on yet!
 
C

cheapzuk

Registered User
Location
Saint George
One problem with an exo is that you can preatty much never take the top off. If you care about that kind of stuff. But, I think exo's are ugly too.
 
Klif01

Klif01

Do I bother you?
Location
Denver, CO
I was thinking somthing like this.

f82ffa8f.jpg


BTW to get my rear top off it only has to be lifted up like 1/2" and I will try to keep the cage just barely up above it so I can still take it off!
 
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Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
f82ffa8f.jpg


I don't see what you are trying to protect. You are leaving the doors totally unprotected, and most of the fiberglass roof. What's the point?
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
If you were to consider that sooner or later a rollover will occur, then you have three choices:

(1) Well built exo
(2) Potential body swap
(3) Potential vehicle replacement

I tossed my junk with the exo many, many times. Multiple times in a single day infact. When I sold it, the cab and front end were straight and undamaged. I understand that many people don't like the "looks" of exo cages, and I will agree that many I've seen are ugly. However, I would recommend making your choice on the basis of function rather than "cosmetics".
 
Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
I actually liked yours, Von. But yours was also a flatbed, which minimized the "Jungle-gymness" That most Exo's have.

If you are gonna flat bed it, throw in a little tube to protect the front clip. I just really think most exo's are never gonna be used for their purpose.
 
V

Vonski

nothing to see here...
Location
Payson, Utah
Hickey said:
I actually liked yours, Von. But yours was also a flatbed, which minimized the "Jungle-gymness" That most Exo's have.

If you are gonna flat bed it, throw in a little tube to protect the front clip. I just really think most exo's are never gonna be used for their purpose.
Click to expand...

I'll definitely agree that most don't get used for their intended purpose, which is sad.

Making a 4Runner exo look good isn't easy and they can end up looking like a jungle gym, like you said. Also, you're kinda limited to what you can do, making them all look similar. Some are better looking than others, but the 4Runner's end up with the same basic design. Kinda like the pic below...

BTW, this is one that will probably not get used. ;)
 
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Klif01

Klif01

Do I bother you?
Location
Denver, CO
Hickey said:
I don't see what you are trying to protect. You are leaving the doors totally unprotected, and most of the fiberglass roof. What's the point?
Click to expand...


I usually have the doors off when I wheel, and I plan on leaving the top off most of the time as well! Thats why I did less tube just cause I don't want a ton.
 
Brad

Brad

The artist formerly known as Redrock5.9
Location
Highland
On a daily driver, the exo will have a large effect on aerodynamics, both fuel economy and wind noise. Secondly, an internal cage can be built to better protect with the possibility of cross supports that are not possible with an exo. But if an exo is what you're set on, can't wait to see how it turns out. Whatever you do, don't paint the cage yellow or neon green.

Front end looks awesome, I've seen you running around in Orem before but I'll have to keep a lookout for the new frontend.
 
P

Pike2350

Registered User
Location
Salt Lake City
looks good, I wish I had the ability and place to weld me up a bumper...not bad for 17.

My only suggestion on the front bumper would be to add uprights at the corner lenses. It looks like the span from the stinger around the fender is pretty long...a little extra support there would help, not to mention keep branches from bashing in the corner lenses when going through the tress.

Steve
 
Klif01

Klif01

Do I bother you?
Location
Denver, CO
I'm not too worried about difference in gas mileage, I have a scooter to get me around town :cool: I was actually thinking of doing some cross supports through the sheet metal behind the rear passenger seats, and sealing it off kindof like chadbuckners toyota where he supported through the bed. I think I will go get some more tube and get it bent on friday, we will see. Structurally with the design I have right now, how much abuse do you think it can take?
 
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