Sounds like something simple I'd say, odd though.

Those look good too Nate.

Well, we are still under a snowfall warning.
Here's the view from the office.



In the back yard have an honest 6-8 inches according to the quad. Still coming down and winds are blowing. Sheesh, why is our biggest snowfall of the winter in the spring...

Oh yeah, the bumper.



Only had enough for one coat on the outside, grr.
Have to get a buddy to pick more up I guess. I really don't want to have to clean it back up, but may just hang it to see, and leave it till I have more liner.

Ah, it's only May...I've seen it every month but August. And that's because generally speaking we've been out for most of August. Not that it doesn't.
There are times that I'd like to move, but would be further north likely.

I'm real happy with how it's looking at the moment, we'll see in the next day or so if I get it on.
I had no clue it would come together so fast either. But it was 2 1/2 days of basically uninterrupted go at it.

Hey Ken...I'm an electrician...

Yes I plan to add a weep hole to the pockets for that reason.
With the constant rock blasting the undercarriage gets, real rust doesn't seem to happen.

For the record, this is getting black bedliner, and the front will be coming off for a similar treatment at a later date. Even with the acid etching primer the stone damage and salt from the city did a number on the front. That must change, as it looks aweful at the moment.

I then built up the centre step section. Some 1/2" od pipe and another layer of plate.
I hope this works out, but will certainly ease banging shins and knees.





And with that last piece added, the build portion was done. I still think I'll add some diagonal braces back to the frame, but at the moment am thinking they will be a bolt on for ease of installation and removal.
Then the arduous task of cleaning it up began.
Still have another night on the grinder I think or part of anyhoot.

Worked on the bumper for a bunch of more time.
I think it's done other than maybe some angle braces that I'll add in after.

I'd say it adds about 2 quarts.

That's funny Norm. I don't have to mobile work stand.

Dave, that's a really good idea, just not sure how I'd go about it.
Also there comes a point where you can't curl what you're working on.
Dead lift yes, curl no. None he less a good solid idea, and I'd agree on the 10" higher being about right.

Looks awesome Ken! As long as it doesn't get contagious.

I'd have to find some of that mesh, or similar, looks legit!

On to closing up the top side. Once the top is on, it will be a lot more difficult to do any mock ups as up to now I've been slipping the bolts in from the top. This is as close to templating I got on the rear bumper.



Once I cut the first side out, I checked it on the other, and to my surprise it fit, so I made another one. Semi permanized I fit in an upper bevel to try to eliminate the 'sharp' that would otherwise be.



I then joined the two wings with a centre piece of flat bar.

Those mounting brackets look great.
Hate quite the pile of railings, is it half, or not quite.
 
I like the 'fall to your death' qualification of how much railing it is.

So I plugged away at the bumper most of the day.
Then it was nice enough to power thatch the lawn, which are up a couple hours but it needed to get done so it is now.

Looks great. Nice work on the steering!

I've got some 1/2" od pipe, I'm going to make a roundover area with, then double up a second layer of 1/4 plate. May do the same in the corners too.

Then boxed in the other side of the corner step.



Finished out the side and test fit again.



It's still surprisingly not too heavy, but the 50 odd times it's been off and on are starting to take their toll not to mention the hunched over welding.
Decided to sit down for a bit and have a break and a quoffee, and get these up.

Then a lot of fussing and bending ended up like this.



Happy with how things were looking I added the corner steps in.

That just seems so wrong. There's got to be something simple that is causing it.

The stealers just like to push their overpriced parts IMO. Now it could also be legitimate with some stuff.

Nate I hope not too. I've always left one in and never had a problem.

So executive decision made, I don't think I'll likely ever have a rear winch...so the centre step stays. I'll post a real time update of the day's progress in the bumper build.

Having said that I'm building like crazy today. Hoping to have it done this weekend...
Lofty goal I know.

So I dug through the metal pile and found a 2' x 4' chunk of 1/4" plate. Seems like a good start, checked with the front and needed eight inches.
Zipped it off with the plasma, set it on the hitch and said well this is it...

Then found some 3/8" x 4" flat bar, and lopped two eight inch pieces for the mounts.
The blue light sabre made quick work of the 3/8.



So lined everything up square and straight and tacked the mounts in place.



Since I'm starting outside and mainly because I'm too lazy to switch I'm running flux core wire tonight.

Here's the final glue job for the bottom.




And with nine bells ringing and young kids next door I shall stop making noise for the night.
Bolted in place to start again in the am.



Hopefully it doesn't snow again...

It's on...rear bumper build.



No real plan other than kind of match the front one.

Now do I build with winch provision, as in no 'step' in the centre so there's room?

Well at 06:00 I awoke to this.



Oh snow my friend how have I missed you. You have came back twice this week now...
I am a winter guy, but once the ice is done and I accept summer then let's get on with it.

Yeah it's pretty ugly under there in spots.
As ugly and messy as it all is, it's seemingly surface rust at most.

I have this delusion to pull the box and lift the cab a bit to do some PM and dirt removal.
The engine degreaser is going to sit a bit and with any luck next wash will have that area clean and I'll slather some undercoating back on.

I'm truly amazed that I still have paint on the underside of the cab.

For the record the pitman arm nut is 1 5/16", and I had to go to work to do it. Set in garage only goes to 1 1/4" and 32mm.

So arm installed with a road trip.



Added some undercoating to the bare metal of the pitman arm.

Then loosened and removed the lines from the box. Tomane the required real estate for removal of the box I took the clip off the crossmember and undid the clip on the fan shroud to get the lines outside the frame.



Then split the pitman arm off of the steering. My pickle fork was too small and a big hammer came to the party.



Out with the three steering box bolts and its loose.



Holding your tongue the right way and eating four pounds of oil impregnated muck the box and arm will come out together.

Looks great Blaine! Don't envy that repetition.

I got rid of a power steering leak today.