Space Between Grill and Bumper

[4xFoorOffroad]

Not having any real experience with hitting a bumper on another vehicle or immovable object, I'm wondering how to build a bumper to make it actually take a bit of a hit and not smash into the grill / bodywork and not be sticking out really far. Some of the trucks these days have the main tube of the bumper almost flush with the grill which I really appreciate the look of, but I know will not protect it. Plus I plan on not trailering my truck so it's going to need some ability to be easy to park wherever I drive it.

Aside, I really like the look of frame horns, but the time to make them with an angle grinder is making me think using 1.75 .120 upright tubes in front and the same size or slightly smaller on the wings would help this be the year I get my truck complete.

Christian's and my favorite truck from DR (I am bummed the thread didn't make it on here from it) are probably where I might end up. The last pic is probably further out than I'd go.

 

[DesertGoat]

a) don't crash
b) don't think you can build a bumper strong enough to survive all crashes

but in seriousness, i can think of 2 ways to help stuff survive - you either integrate failure points or just go huge with the design.
failure points would be some tubing & stuff that is meant to crumple on impact. crumpling steel takes a lot of energy and is a totally viable way to survive it, but will be tough to do in the space of a bumper.
Alternatively, go big & build something akin to what the old stadium trucks used to do. basically a bumper with a bull ring hoop thing that tied backwards to the rest of the cage on top. The bottom legs to the "frame rails". they're big & ugly & strong.

but yeah, just don't crash if you want to protect all the bodywork