93-99 bayou 400 owners help

[neo71665]

Any other owners out there if you don't mind can you give me the width and length of the factory front rack? I think its the same on 93-99 models.

 

Thanks

[antisoc]

Back of the rack is roughly 33.5" wide,    Front of the rack is 30" wide,   and the rack is 13.5" deep.

Measured on a 98 Bayou 400 4x4

 

Edited July 25, 2018 by antisoc

[neo71665]

Thanks, hard to tell looking at pictures but I would guessed it was square. Then again I guess it really don't matter since it looks like I'm gonna be forced to make my own I can make it whatever shape I want.

[antisoc]

Its shaped that way because the fenders are pretty much shaped that way also..narrow in the front and wider towards the back.

 

[antisoc]

 

[neo71665]

I understand. I do have fenders just no rack. Been searching for one that wasn't all bent up but seems if one pops up they want an arm and leg for it. I'm cheap and not paying $100 for a beat to crap rack when I can buy some 1/2 inch tube and bend my own for a 1/4 of that. I need to go check and make sure the small die I have is 1/2 inch, it might be 3/4. Oh well if it 3/4 inch I'll just build both racks and sale the factory rear.

Still undecided on the missing front bumper. I'd like to have a winch and have high hopes of building something like a plate bumper for it that holds that, new led pods for headlights, and protect the front somewhat. The aftermarket bumper that came on our Kodiak when I got that bike (used) looks like it was designed by Ray Charles. I don't know who built it (it's well made and powdercoated) but the closest I can describe it is take a winch bumper off a 1977 chevy and bolt it to a 2018 ford. I don't mind it not being 100% OEM original I just want it to look like it belongs on it instead on made to fit.

Edited July 25, 2018 by neo71665

[antisoc]

The front bumper shouldn't be to hard to build..  The winch has to be mounted out front because of the radiator....and a small winch won't fit down behind the bumper low....

 

[antisoc]

 

[neo71665]

Yeah there is no room anywhere to tuck one out of the way unless you want to mount one on the rear. I got my bike sitting now without the plastics on it (soaked it in degreaser and pressure washing it) so I got a good clear view.

 

Been thinking of building something like this

 

Have a led pod in each "wing" for headlights. The winch can kinda go behind a vented panel in the middle but leave it open enough the radiator still gets air. Instead of just a loop on top have that be the front rack mount like on the factory bumper. Just eyeballing on how to try to run around the rad with a few extra secure mounting points to the main frame. Just need to finish getting the bike cleaned so I can break out some cardboard to try to design it. I know it's gonna have to stick out further than the factory but I figured I can angle the wings back to the body to make it blend in and not look like a steel box mounted to the front end.

Edited July 25, 2018 by neo71665

[antisoc]

It will take some fabricating....I couldn't get a 2000 pound winch to fit behind the stock bumper and frame.. but that bumper design maybe able to work with some fabricating and welding.

 

 

[neo71665]

Yeah I knew tucking it behind the factory bumper was a pipe dream. Why I haven't even tried to search for one. I have a dozen plate bumpers under my belt now for trucks and jeeps, just nothing this small. At least with a 6 foot long bumper you can chop it up into a few facets to transition gradually. With something this short you have to be careful or it looks chopped up. Also have to be careful to not end up with 300lbs hanging off the front.  I had planned on using 1/8 inch steel for the main plate the winch mounts to and then the rest be 1/16th thick to save weight

My buddy said he might be able to get me a bunch of 4 foot long 1/8 inch thick 4 inch wide aluminum tho. That would look good with a brushed finish but I know my OCD I'll have to build the racks out of aluminum with a matching finish. Then the racks and bumper will be worth more than the bike, lol. So far I only have $60 in the thing and only building a farm rig not something to make Ostacruiser jealous.

[antisoc]

Something like this would look good made up on the bayou also....