Prerunner Custom Bumper

ok so i have a 98 explorer 4dr 2x4 and i was in an accident earlier this year where i hit a wall on the freeway. so a friend of mine took the stock bumper off cuz we were trying to take off the fender and replace it. but so far i've been thinking i want a custom prerunner bumper. so my question is, what material should i use? and how do i attach it? a friend of mine said he would weld it for me. Thanks!