REAL MAN TRUCKWORKS & SURVIVAL
VEHICLES, CAMPERS, and BOATS => Build Threads => Topic started by: KensAuto on February 15, 2015, 10:00:32 PM
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My goal, since purchasing this truck, was to build my own bumpers and side steps.
Fast forward 3 years and I finally got started. I was transferring some of Flyin6's build thread to this site, and towards the end, I happened upon his rear bumper mods and install......got me fired up!
I decided to build the rear bumper first, to gain skill, so that the front one would be easier and hopefully come out as nice or nicer.
Here the factory bumper is removed:
(http://i.imgur.com/fz4cF3t.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AatKHq4.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/z0LWFbG.jpg)
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I should also mention the reason for building my own.....I have looked at literally 100 different bumpers, and they all have one thing in common.......each other, they all look the same!! Sometimes custom is just better, at least that's what I kept telling myself....so onwards:
After the factory 20 lb bumper was removed, some 5/8" and 1/2" plates were cut up, drilled, then received some welded on nuts to act as the main mounts for the bumper. These will have very little adjustment (which I will soon regret) because I plan on tacking all of the individual plates to the truck, removing the bumper only for final welding:
(http://i.imgur.com/3rN6pXl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/so332so.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/M4JGJ0X.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9S7oS1T.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oMnQAHX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1aAegi1.jpg)
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Now, a week before starting on this, I hit up the metal yard in Phoenix. I came back with a trailer load of steel......Sheets of 1/4, 3/16, 10 gauge, 16 gauge, etc.etc. I also picked up the winch from HF, a 12k lb version.
And this is were my mind went blank. I had never built a (complicated) bumper before, and everything I came up with looked like everything that had already been done.
Decided to start off with a chunk of steel, instead of starting entirely from scratch.
I had some 8" channel out back, but it needed trimmed up:
(http://i.imgur.com/mmsFVXi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/oVqBa17.jpg)
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...after some measuring, actually a bunch of measuring, and positioning of the winch, the channel received some notches and then tacked in place:
(http://i.imgur.com/LOa9LXS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vbrrir8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IaLmNPU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/hDqtyDd.jpg)
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Next I cut out an opening for the roller fairlead and license plate. I plan on installing an electric trunk latch out of an Olds to allow the plate to fold down at the push of a button. This is where I realized how little real estate I had to work with:
(http://i.imgur.com/ZKTWtV7.jpg)
I took that piece and moved it back about 6" to allow room for the latch and fairleads and lights and.....
This is also where the hitch was tied in:
(http://i.imgur.com/n8HTG7V.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Q39ghI3.jpg)
This is the floor plate where the stainless license plate hinge will go (tapered for water drainage):
(http://i.imgur.com/D1DVihq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mUrCCTH.jpg)
This is the license plate, plate:
(http://i.imgur.com/AjE9yhe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/jQwpqMc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7LPqIj2.jpg)
Here's the piece taken from the channel, being prepped for the winch side:
(http://i.imgur.com/XEeAuTD.jpg)
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This is the trunk latch:
(http://i.imgur.com/oUI8Aj1.jpg)
...and this cable release used to hook to the key tumbler, so the trunk would open mechanically, bypassing the electric motor built into the latch. I decided to retain this dude, mounting it behind the license plate. I then drilled a hole in the plate large enough for a flat tipped screwdriver to fit, in case the electronics fail:
(http://i.imgur.com/KnImSMv.jpg)
I made it where the roller fairlead could still be removed, without taking the license plate or the latch out:
(http://i.imgur.com/05bNYmI.jpg)
This horrible pic shows the mount for the cable release and a fuel door "flipper" welded on to it:
(http://i.imgur.com/WQYGAC9.jpg)
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I'm liking this!
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Now, if only I could put this stuff in the proper order. When my phone uploads the pics to IMGUR, they end up out of order....
Up until this exact moment, the plans (or lack there of), called for a double swing tire/fuel can mounts....Just like Flyin6's, but split in two. I even bought the hardware for it; a section of 1 3/4" round stock along with bronze bushings, and some hold downs. I started thinking about what I bought this truck for, and the end game includes pulling a fifth wheel toyhauler.
A fifth wheel and a spare tire standing on end, on the rear bumper, can not occupy the same space. That (labor intensive) part of the plan faded away.
.....so, out came the cardboard (my brother showed up for this easy part):
(http://i.imgur.com/0TdjTC2.jpg)
I really wanted to have some rounded edges instead of it being entirely "facetted" :
(http://i.imgur.com/xCp7boV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/V4B6KDE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Wcq2d1j.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Bi4NMWm.jpg)
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Here I started branching outwards and upwards. The top plate is 3/16"...the rest in this pic, including the 8" channel, is 1/4" thick:
(http://i.imgur.com/YkBoEMZ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TlOKLNv.jpg)
...these uprights are the backbone of the corners:
(http://i.imgur.com/JjEw0s0.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vRsblkx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/gh2uJ31.jpg)
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I knew I was taking a chance wrapping this bumper around the fenders so closely (tried to keep a 1/4" clearance), but pressed on.
The corners were to be built out of 3 pieces; 1/4" top plate, 3/16" bottom plate, and then curving some 10 gauge on to them:
(http://i.imgur.com/mSRUuJ8.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/1LWwkkL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/153OlfH.jpg)
...then added some reinforcements inside:
(http://i.imgur.com/sRqb2rN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/lScbjWC.jpg)
...some final welding:
(http://i.imgur.com/IaVzP1L.jpg)
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Now for the fun.....grinding and sanding everything smooth. It was easier to do these parts now instead of after welding them on to the bumper:
(http://i.imgur.com/edrvOVw.jpg)
...this HF belt sander helped out:
(http://i.imgur.com/CL2QW3U.jpg)
What I don't have is pics of myself chasing my employee around the shop with these mounted to my arms.....I felt superheroeish that day:
(http://i.imgur.com/IEeI3Tm.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/7fCViNM.jpg)
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I think you need to use thicker metal, looks a tad on the light side,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, :P
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Dangit, where's that crazyeye emoticon?
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The robot arms were tacked on with care:
(http://i.imgur.com/JZEtgsM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dgLJcxG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/iPF0eEi.jpg)
here's a small piece of steel...not sure what it's for:
(http://i.imgur.com/8lXtJq5.jpg)
...another view of my hobbit shop:
(http://i.imgur.com/1ajuokc.jpg)
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the bumper is lookin good ken, I sent an invite to somebody that builds bumpers for a living and thought he may have some knowledge to impart on us all.
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It occurred to me that if I ever was to bump into something off to the side, like a tall illegal alien, that the fenders may suffer some contact from the lightweight bumper....which equals no good.
The fix you ask? You have to cut holes in your fenders as to mount heavy walled square tubing from said bumper to the rear leaf spring hanger. (Cutting holes is better than dents I figure):
(http://i.imgur.com/AwJFMPq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/k4o7Y7f.jpg)
I had a couple of these little pieces of channel. They will be welded to the bumper so that when putting the bumper on the truck, it will basically self align:
(http://i.imgur.com/mHKSfpZ.jpg)
...welded some spacers into the square tubing:
(http://i.imgur.com/3DtdPd5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/rWHVhti.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/K44MewN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Rx4meGR.jpg)
...then welded the tubing onto the trucks leaf spring hanger:
(http://i.imgur.com/Kzh9nZc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YNbhV1y.jpg)
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Thank you Nate. She's been done for a couple weeks now, just trying to put it all together on here.
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Finally, after trimming that little channel piece multiple times, I was able to tack on some more plate:
(http://i.imgur.com/0rRMxSv.jpg)
...another bad pic:
(http://i.imgur.com/NKBVCbW.jpg)
The side bracket only sticks out from the fender about an inch. By the time I finished adding more angle plates, the main bolt came out in the centerline of the plating....so I took a pipe fitting and welded it in, and now the bolt will be recessed:
(http://i.imgur.com/d2AEjXE.jpg)
You can see the bolt in this pic. The brackets also helped during final welding by allowing me to put a square tube brace across the full width, to keep the bumper from warping even the slightest (yeah right):
(http://i.imgur.com/DiJi2FO.jpg)
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Next, the super ultralite bumper was removed, with a forklift, and placed on the welding table and the sparks started flying.
First, more meat around the mounts:
(http://i.imgur.com/HJDEvNl.jpg)
..cutting holes for flushmount LEDs (4 total):
(http://i.imgur.com/dI2rDZF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BMIrqcP.jpg)
...had to have some shackles so out came the 1" thick bar stock:
(http://i.imgur.com/UY365Tw.jpg)
...since I decided to move them away from the lights (because it looked better), I also unintentionally moved them away from the 5/8" bumper mounts. This resulted in even more steel being added for strength:
(http://i.imgur.com/A20vKFn.jpg)
It was around this point in this never ending project, that all of that high heat welding started having an affect, even with the bracing in place.
I used a porta-power to get it back in shape, and slowed down from that point on.
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I wanted some small "character" steps in the corners (even though the bumper was already pretty close to the body in that area).
Here's the pattern I ended up with. This barely allows my toes to fit,,,,but it works!!
Backside pieces:
(http://i.imgur.com/Tx866gl.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/AswAmf0.jpg)
..other side:
(http://i.imgur.com/8HgHeaI.jpg)
A little extra help:
(http://i.imgur.com/bPwgOYL.jpg)
outside view:
(http://i.imgur.com/W4F7LfT.jpg)
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At this point, most of the welding had been completed, including boxing in the winch mount area. I decided to add some angle to the bottom edge, for strength on the corners, and looks under the 8" channel. This will also hide the push button switch for the license plate latch:
(http://i.imgur.com/Jd9jauX.jpg)
...added washers for wiring loom:
(http://i.imgur.com/m3ejrk1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/cKNVDAY.jpg)
In this pic, you can barely make out the notches for the factory hitch. This setup will sandwich the hitch, and hide most of it at the same time:
(http://i.imgur.com/Iq7QHVy.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/2ZAxcZW.jpg)
This little electronic protractor helped quite a bit. Started by making sure the bumper was laying level, then added pieces, matching each other's angles:
(http://i.imgur.com/54zdGmT.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KwwLzym.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fDDQFZS.jpg)
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After welding all of the seems, front and back, it was time to trial fit:
(http://i.imgur.com/z0Asrf2.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RU1hKDB.jpg)
That day was not fun. I was by myself, but I do have a small forklift.
No problem..... right?
WRONG!! The little forklift decided that today would be a good day to let the waterpump leak....and leak a bunch! So, I had to shut it down after every adjustment, raising or lowering, forward or backward..... No big deal....except....the freshly rebuilt rams started bleeding off, enough that at one point the bumper scratched the fenders and landed on the exhaust tips, all the while Ken was slippin' and slidin' on an antifreeze skating rink. urrrrr, another murphy day.
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It fit good enough for me to start on the final grinding. Even with hearing protection, I think I still lost about 98% of my hearing on this job.
Almost forgot the trailer plug:
(http://i.imgur.com/KZnKcSv.jpg)
..and the license plate lights:
(http://i.imgur.com/ZGLxfV4.jpg)
then I cut out the winch female plug to relocate to the license plate box:
(http://i.imgur.com/D6VHz7K.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/obCiw6r.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/k3KlcdQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/KNg39KN.jpg)
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...now the grinding:
(http://i.imgur.com/QyChjFH.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/WXWEWEY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/OsL1S6o.jpg)
..then a final trial fit:
(http://i.imgur.com/dt0xF9u.jpg)
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I used some silly cone to seal up all of the seems. I really dislike rust streaks!
(http://i.imgur.com/qdVVS4v.jpg)
..dang, that looked like one of Don's pics!:)
Found a cool way to hold the bumper while it receives it's coatings:
(http://i.imgur.com/f10x1wX.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EtWCxHH.jpg)
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After a final cleaning, it was ready for some acid etch primer....in this case a hybrid, having the properties of a k2 sealer and primer filler.
(http://i.imgur.com/24BEb08.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/RSpAe3L.jpg)
I decided to just use undercoating on the backside, since I had 2 good coats of primer, and I didn't know if I would have enough Raptor bedliner to do the front and back in several coats:
(http://i.imgur.com/LLuiuor.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IHrwWNl.jpg)
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Some darn good ideas there and your rear bracing is why I have not mounted my Ruenel yet. I want to brace the back some and add lights!
Speaking of lights, I was looking at those flush mounted LEDs, what do you think? I have a couple of the 6x utility's but have not really tried me out mounted on anything.
You may get the front wheels off the ground when you mount that puppy 8)
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Once the back had dried, I got out the black urethane and started spraying the inside of the license plate box, and a couple other areas where I didn't want a thick layer of bedliner;
(http://i.imgur.com/1xsqTPN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/YtIhJNQ.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/4LMavFq.jpg)
I found this wire tape on amazon, specifically for bedliner type coatings:
(http://i.imgur.com/rnanFyu.jpg?1)
(http://i.imgur.com/HC4sWIa.jpg)
I used that tape around the license plate box.
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These leds are really bright. Almost too bright for b/u lights. The downside was, they didn't have them in "flood" at the time. My old flood lights (had only 2), shown in the first pic, did a almost as good, and they didn't blind anyone in the parking lot at wally world.
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Ken-
Really nice job- I now know why custom bumpers cost so much!
You should put U.S.S just to the left of your license plate............truck's grey........ ::)
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Hahaha...thanks Mike!
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So if I get a truck, wanna build a bumper for me?
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I'm going to respond nicely, and in a mature tone, cuz I like ya Bobby............
NO!!!!
I don't even want to do my front bumper now. :(
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I'm going to respond nicely, and in a mature tone, cuz I like ya Bobby............
NO!!!!
I don't even want to do my front bumper now. :(
Party pooper!
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That is some serious good work!
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As Don would say..."Danka".
... trying to download the final pics and I'm starting to get a bit frustrated with my phone and/or IMGUR.
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Ran into a bit of snag at this point. To get the winch to fit, I had to trim this really weak looking crossmember that the spare used to mount up against. While the undercoating was drying, I figured on cleaning up the cuts I had made to the crossmember with the plasma torch. As I'm doing this, I realize that it ties the two rear leaf spring hangers together in some fashion. Crap.
...out comes the 3/16 plate, and let the boxing begin.
First, I cleaned up the cut lines, then started scraping off that nasty wax coating (by the way, that stuff is flammable!!):
(http://i.imgur.com/13VGvtS.jpg)
..then some 3/16" bent at weird angles:
(http://i.imgur.com/RgfWpBc.jpg)
..and it gets melted together with the crossmember:
(http://i.imgur.com/R5alQ71.jpg)
...then coated with spray undercoat:
(http://i.imgur.com/ab3vntc.jpg)
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Hmm, Murphy had to show up somewhere.
Great JOB though as I get more ideas for my Sub, God help me like I need more!!!!!!!!
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If anyone's interested in Raptor bedliner, but hasn't used it yet, let me give you some advice.
Buy the kit that comes with a Shutz spray gun.....THEIR shutz gun! I already figured this out the hard way, on my last project (I coated the top of my camp trailer). I had a 3M shutz gun, purchased years ago, so I bought the kit without THEIR gun to save some cash....I found out, right at the time that I was ready to spray, that the 3M gun doesn't fit U-Pol's jugs of urethane. No paint store in town had a upol gun, so I made do.
Here's what went down on that dark day in the desert. I riveted a upol lid to the 3m gun. That's it, nothing special, but here's some pics:
(http://i.imgur.com/7cUoEhP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/XqdAIbK.jpg)
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Hmm, Murphy had to show up somewhere.
Great JOB though as I get more ideas for my Sub, God help me like I need more!!!!!!!!
Murphy was along for the entire ride unfortunately. That's why it took me darn near 2 months.
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Here we go. Finally the final coat...bedliner:
(http://i.imgur.com/6uD6h1o.jpg)
hmmm. Must have been really tired that day because that's the only pic I took before putting it back on the truck. No picks of the fancy wire tape. No pics of the broken drill bits from trying to drill out 16 holes through 1/4" plate, for the lights. No pics of the hidden button, or the nice harness I made connecting everything. oh well.
Found another one:
(http://i.imgur.com/i2B2paQ.jpg)
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This is one issue I knew I would have to deal with sooner or later. The two lights towards the center ended up directly inline with the vertical plate behind them. I didn't want to move the lights so I decided to notch the brace, then cut off the cooling fins on the lights. Here's a look at the bracing after notching:
(http://i.imgur.com/NsTfy2p.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/dI2rDZF.jpg)
Here's one of the lights:
(http://i.imgur.com/dtjDVdP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6Awiyzm.jpg)
Before cutting off the fins:
(http://i.imgur.com/RKYRltc.jpg)
...and after:
(http://i.imgur.com/AKZikEj.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/heTwnha.jpg)
...some paint and it's ready:
(http://i.imgur.com/0sbjYEE.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/EIhHEaR.jpg)
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Some installed pics:
(http://i.imgur.com/4Px1kuA.jpg)
You will notice that I sprayed the trailer receptacle....I figured it might have better uv protection and hopefully it will last longer:
(http://i.imgur.com/4Dwn2xB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/wcqnTm1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LedeUFy.jpg)
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Grabbed some d-rings from the local hardware store...went with galvanized:
(http://i.imgur.com/dC1ThW3.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/ZULLlMz.jpg)
One of the few times my truck has been clean:
(http://i.imgur.com/i38X1Gx.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/qrUTl2G.jpg)
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This is the 12k winch. I don't have any installed pics:
(http://i.imgur.com/zI6ZGgT.jpg)
..and this is exactly the amount it took to reach the left battery....power and ground:
(http://i.imgur.com/nNLtIdm.jpg)
Yeah, I could've used the chassis for ground, but in a very hard pull, with amp draw closing in on 400 amps, I didn't want it spiking computers or causing other problems.
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Hmm, Murphy had to show up somewhere.
Great JOB though as I get more ideas for my Sub, God help me like I need more!!!!!!!!
Murphy was along for the entire ride unfortunately. That's why it took me darn near 2 months.
I'm sure you squeezed a little real work in the middle of that. But I know how projects can get drawn out.
That coating looks good. Tell me more about coating the trailer!!! Weather has turned and needs to get finished.
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No seriously that bumper looks awesome.
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Murphy being around or not that turned out great Ken.
Looks quite sharp and has something new, rounded corners.
Raptor turned out great, was interested to see the tape in action, but I suspect it worked as it should.
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Thanks guys.
Yeah JR, I did customer work mostly, but probably averaged 4 hrs a day, including afterwork. Also every other full weekend....so about 10,000 hrs. haha
As for the trailer, I have a Fleetwood popup, one of those offroad ones. I was in the 5 ton one day looking down on the roof of the trailer, which is high enough for me not to see when I'm on the ground, and I noticed these huge cracks. Long story short, it was some high tech material (it felt and sounded like thin textured sheet metal) that failed, with a history of lawsuits that resulted in the company Fleetwood trailers sold out to, going under. So I guess I am one of MANY guys that needed a new roof with none to be had........enter Raptor liner (360.00 worth).
Chapter Two: That project turned into a Murphy storm, but ended up looking pretty good. But. It failed. End of story, it's covered in a tarp right now.
Sam, the tape worked as advertised (made in Canada :)), but I didn't wait for the black paint to dry long enough.....that tape has some mean glue in or on it!! I had to do some touch ups.....and the widest they seem to make is 1/4", so you have to tape the tape. lol
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That is a seriously great build!
Probably the best I have seen to date
You set the benchmark high for when I build SquareD's bumpers, that's for sure...
I use Raptor all the time, great stuff. UPOL is Great Britian stuff. I use their acid etching primer as well.
Just getting back from a conference, so really just catching up here, but overall an A+ job here Ken!
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Just a quick not on trailer coatings. LineX and a few other do coat trailers, but it is pricey. I think I will just go with a standard RV roof coating, most are warranted for 5 years.
That bumper does look awesome. Is there enough clearance between it and the body if a "murphy" moment happens?
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Depends how big the Murphy is. Hopefully those side braces will slow him down!
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Ken, you sure put forth a lot of effort to hide that HF winch!!! ;D
Fantastic job on the bumper. It really looks great.
I can't wait to see the front bumper build.
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Haha. Thank You Mr. Duane.
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the bumper is lookin good ken, I sent an invite to somebody that builds bumpers for a living and thought he may have some knowledge to impart on us all.
It took me a little while to get over here but I thought I might make a few comments after reading through your thread. I know you already have it finished up but I thought it could be helpful for anybody that might be reading this and thinking about building there own or if you decide to build a front bumper.
The bumper looks great. My only real comment is that you made it a lot heavier then what it needs to be. An important thing to keep in mind is the direction forces are applied. Think about the situations forces will be applied and then analyze material shape and direction.
Just a couple examples. After moving your recovery mounts you added a bunch of extra re-inforccement that really wasn't needed. The mounting brackets mounting the bumper to the frame need to be heavy enough to withstand a rear impact from another vehicle from speed. The recovery brackets on the other hand will see a completely different type of loading. This will be a much less dynamic and slower loading situation and the instantanious stresses will be much lower than those seen from a rear impact.
A second example would be the extra supports you added to the side of the bumper. The gerenal shape of the bumper a depth of it offers a good bit of strength in a side loading situation. Consider the amount of force that would be required to bend that much steel. Also consider how much of a side load it would take to do permenant damage to the frame. It really doesn't take that much of an impact on the rear quarter panel to cause damage to the frame due to the over all length of the truck and the heavy diesel engine up front (think of it as a long arm and heavy weight on one end). You would probably bend the frame before pushing your bumper into the quarter panel. Also consider what you will be hitting or hitting you to cause that much force. The most realistic situation would be another vehicle hitting you. Unless that vehicle is also equipped with a heavy steel bumper the amount of force required to bend your rear bumper into the quarter panel would be more than enough to cause the front of the other vehicle to deform enough for parts of it to come in contact with your rear quarter panel.
Just a couple of examples of why these bumpers do not need to be built nearly as heavy as most people think they do. I build most of my bumpers and parts from 3/16s material. Many people try to convince me this is not thick enough when in reality it is. I generally do not try to argue these types of points with people or bother to point them out but it seems this crowd is smart enough to actually think through these situations and reason them out instead of just saying it needs to be a 1/4" or more. (You ever notice how everything people fab up themself needs to be atleast a 1/4" and of course more is always better for some reason?)
In the grand scheme of things a few extra pounds (or 50) isn't going to hurt anything in the rear of these trucks. I would not say the same thing for the front and would try to limit the amount of un-needed re-inforcement and weight on the front bumper.
If you start building the front bumper and want any tips on where to start etc.. let me know.
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Welcome bear, glad you made it over.
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Really turned out sharp Ken! Nice work all around.....
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Bear,
Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself
You are obviously an engineer oriented bumper buildin' expert, and I for one would love to hear more of what you have to say.
This site seems to be attracting lots of expertise, and we are all better off for it.
Tell us who you are
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Thank you Bear. Welcome to the site!
What do you mean more isn't better? well then, Don lied to us all!! haha
I agree that it's overkill, but lacking an engineering degree, nor any bumper building experience, it had to be that way (in my mind)....especially the d-ring mounts....they will be used to their fullest!
That being said, I was planning on much thinner for the front....3/16 for the center "main" area, and probably 10 gauge for the rest. I wanted more weight on the back, but definitely not on the front.
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Bear, the apacolypse is coming. More is better, enough said! ;D
Welcome to the site!
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Thank you Bear. Welcome to the site!
What do you mean more isn't better? well then, Don lied to us all!! haha
I agree that it's overkill, but lacking an engineering degree, nor any bumper building experience, it had to be that way (in my mind)....especially the d-ring mounts....they will be used to their fullest!
That being said, I was planning on much thinner for the front....3/16 for the center "main" area, and probably 10 gauge for the rest. I wanted more weight on the back, but definitely not on the front.
Only lie I told was to myself yesterday, when looking in the mirror, I said, "I think I got a little better lookin'"
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Well hopefully you can laugh about it. Every time I look in the mirror it breaks.
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Ken, I've been putting off building bumpers for mine, lack of time/commitment being a couple issues.
Do you still plan to do the front after the 'challenges' of the rear?
If you were to do it again would you still start with the rear?
I'm planning to do both, but now don't know which end to start with. Was thinking front, but the rear may be more forgiving for the learning curve.
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I'm now scared of building my own for SquareD after seeing Ken's work...
I think I'll just buy a stock chrome one and paint it black...Well, probably not...
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I'm now scared of building my own for SquareD after seeing Ken's work...
I think I'll just buy a stock chrome one and paint it black...Well, probably not...
Yeah sure, you buy a stocker...
Now that right there is funny.
I hope this spring break up to get at them. Last year had to do dock for cabin.
This year trying to keep open for bumper(s).
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Ken, I've been putting off building bumpers for mine, lack of time/commitment being a couple issues.
Do you still plan to do the front after the 'challenges' of the rear?
If you were to do it again would you still start with the rear?
I'm planning to do both, but now don't know which end to start with. Was thinking front, but the rear may be more forgiving for the learning curve.
I will build one for the front for sure. The wrap around was what made it the most challenging, considering I was only allowing for a 1/4" consistent gap between it and the body. I also knew I wanted a rear winch more than a front one. In all, or most, of the tight spots I have been in, reversing and taking a different route seems to work out the best for me.....
....but I may still do one in the front for utilitarian purposes....like lifting game, pulling other vehicles, etc.
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I'm now scared of building my own for SquareD after seeing Ken's work...
I think I'll just buy a stock chrome one and paint it black...Well, probably not...
Remember Don, Ken made his complicated...it didn't have to be that way...
...and I would do it the same all over again!
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I'm now scared of building my own for SquareD after seeing Ken's work...
I think I'll just buy a stock chrome one and paint it black...Well, probably not...
Remember Don, Ken made his complicated...it didn't have to be that way...
...and I would do it the same all over again!
I'm just kiddin' Ken
I'll get on mine no worries.
My basic plan is a lot like yours. Build the winch box and make up a bunch of cardboard panels to get the shape the way I want it
I'm about to get on the front fenders...You will see me cut the bottom 6" off the front of them, in front of the wheel well so I can build in a bumper in place of that flimsy sheet metal.
I hope to be on that in the not too distant future