Making my own front and back strut bars? Options

[The_enD]

Hello. I am looking into making my own strut bars. I have most of the needed instrument and the desire is there. I just don't feel like paying for it when I can do it on my own.
I want to make one for the back and a 3 point strut bar for the front.

What are your recommendations when it comes to the fabrication? What material should I use? What should be my first steps? Should the front and back respectively be lifted before I start doing any fab work?

My plan is to make the circle mounts that are above the suspension, attached with the original 3 bolts. Then the one that is on the firewall. Cut my metal to length and tack weld it to the mounts. Remove from the car and reinforce the welds. Clean up welds and paint. Same for the back.

Similar to these:







Thanks.

[Box]

I would say make it out of steel. Cheaper and generally is stronger, unless you get some high strength aluminum alloy to work with. The weight difference between the two I really wouldn't bother with. If you're that concerned about weight just replace the spare with a can of Fix-A-Flat and you more than make up for it.