thanks for the compliments folks. i plan on doing a front with a similar design, with a bull-bar kinda thing that has bottom mounts at the tow hooks and ill tie it into the bumper at the top for some good front end protection and be able to mount lights without obstructing rad airflow. plus the tire/jerrycan carrier for the rear, i hate having the spare in the bed. one thing ive learned from this: even if yer gonna just do 1 bumper, get a tubing notcher. i had to spend ALOT of time with the angle grinder to get the pieces to fit just so. like with most fabrication, 80% fitment and prep, 20% actually welding it together.