My bumper build

[Mountain Goat]

Yep. Here's another one.

I didn't want to spend $1500 - $3500 on a custom bumper with swing-outs. I couldn't find one that was quite what I want anyway.

I like the Four Plus and 4 X 4 Labs products, but I want a bumper to stick out a little more. Their bumpers fit "high and tight" for departure angle. I want one that's a little more like the Kaymar bumper but with a little more corner protection.

The following thread details what I've come up with. Mind you that I have learned to weld by building this bumper.

 

[Mountain Goat]

More...

 

[Mountain Goat]

And more...

 

[Mountain Goat]

Still more...

Turned these on a friend's lathe. Used grade 8 hardware. Spindles are 1.25" in diameter and have a .313 wall tube that swivels on each.

 

[Mountain Goat]

A few more...

 

[Mountain Goat]

More...

 

[Mountain Goat]

In the end I cut off most of the quarter panel protectors. Chalk it up to experience I guess. They warped really badly due to welding.

 

[Darkrealms]

Nice job on the bumper!

Just out of cuiosity why did you wan't it to stick out so much? Are you going to put something back there?

The funny thing is I looked at the back end picks and it reminded me of when I was working on mine, same color cruizer and everything. (sorry my oregon plates are diff though)

 

[Mountain Goat]

One more pic for today.



The bumper sticks out so I can use it as a step for roof rack access. I get up there often.

 

[Darkrealms]

More...

If you run a lower heat with small stiches and come back later to stitch inbetween them again it helps, also I often make something I can clamp the thinner metals to to help with the warping problem. Often the amount of welding we do isn't nessesary : )

 

[batman]

How much to build one for me?

 

[philos1]

looks great! let's see it mounted and some pics of the swing-outs too!

 

[Dynosoar]

Not bad! I could not do that with a stick welder. MIG or TIG would help minimize the warping. A+ for effort.

Dynosoar

 

[Mountain Goat]

Thanks all for the advice and kind words. This project has been a labor of love. That is if you take away the cussing, expense, frustration, sweat, back aches, and other personal injury.

Batman - very flattering request. Thanks. Not even possible. I have so much time into this thing. It would cost you twice that of a professionaly built bumper. My wife would kill me for starting another project in the garage right now. I'm supposed to be remodeling it into an office at this time. Maybe someday when I have more experience and better tools.

Some quick stats on the project at current state:

200 pounds of steel used including scrap
15 pounds of welding rod consumed
6 grinding wheels
2 cut-off wheels
5 sanding disks
1 sheet 220 on the palm sander
3 cans of primer
3 cans of semi-gloss black

Second test fit pics below. I would like to get it permanently mounted today. I also want to get some aluminum diamond plate to fill the awkward gap between the bumper and the tailgate.

I have not started the swing-outs yet. I'm currently in the middle of a diesel swap on the same truck and need to focus on that before I loose all of my good weather. I've been very lucky to have a late summer this year, but it won't last.

 

[Mountain Goat]

More test fit.

 

[2badfjs]

MOUNTIAN GOAT, THATS AN AWSOME LOOKING BUMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did you use hitch material on the reciever?
and you must have had to cut off the rear x-member, or does the hitch sit below the x-member.

how'd you like working around those body mount rivits?
i think it helps to use then to keep the bumper stable.

i also like the wrap arounds

nice job again!!

jim

 

[FJ60_cruiser]

Dam!!!! that's a great looking bumper it's beautifoul!!!!

Nice job Mountain goat and thank's for sharing this great build up

 

[Mountain Goat]

MOUNTIAN GOAT, THATS AN AWSOME LOOKING BUMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did you use hitch material on the reciever?
and you must have had to cut off the rear x-member, or does the hitch sit below the x-member.

how'd you like working around those body mount rivits?
i think it helps to use then to keep the bumper stable.

i also like the wrap arounds

nice job again!!

jim

Thanks much Jim. Frankly, the body mount and all of the other rivets suck ass. To remove them I have to grind off the head, drill out the shank, and then pound them through with a pin punch.

I routed channels in the bumper parts that slide into the frame rails, but they weren't wide enough. I had to grind down all of the rivet heads a little to compensate.

Yeah, I did use receiver material for the receiver tube. Pretty pricey, but worth it. I did replace the rear crossmember. Somehow that pic was left out. I busted out the crossmember and removed the spare.

One of the requirements of the design was that it replace the rear crossmember. For that reason I used grade 8 hardware for everything.

 

[Mountain Goat]

Thanks FJ60_Cruiser. The kind words are appreciated.

Here are the installed bumper pics. Enjoy!

 

[Dirtgypsy]

that bumper is outstanding! truley great work. where in oregon are you. do you make any runs with cascadecruisers at all? I would like to get together with some more 60 owners for a weekend.

clint