old home made bumper
My 80 has been in retirement for a few years. 1200 miles since late 2005. That is why the rust had gotten so bad on this bumper. I always thought I would finish a couple of things on it and powder coat it black. That never happened.
To sumarize what I wanted. (back in 2000) Less overhang, strength, tire mounted high enough to not be impacted, 60 inch high lift capability without tree issues, storage for items needed immediately on trail, ability to recover, anchor or pull sideways from rear of vehicle as well as front.
All were accomplished to my satisifaction and has served very very well.
The frame crossmember was cut off to remove approximately 3 inches of length. The center beam was cut and welded closed to fully box the frame rail end for the first 6 inches or so. The center beam is 6x2x 1/4 inch wall tube. The frame braces are 4x4x1/4 inch angle and are 18 inches long to the rear of the beam. The tubing is 2 inch .150 wall for cross bracing and strength and the mounting for the air tank serves at additional structural member also.
The side plates are 1/4 inch plate with 1x2 structural tubing forming the upper angle with diamond plate for traction. The winch is a superwinch 9k. I have not had issues with spindles that some have had but the spindles on this bumper are not butt welded. They actually are sunk into the rear and top of the tube and welded the entire length. I do have issue with the McMaster Carr spring pins like everyone has. These are extreemly strong but because of no grease fitting and no o ring they do rust inside. I always felt that sending the inner pin out to have a grooves cut in it and then drill for a fitting would solve the problem.
This is and was extreem over kill by what is available today. Back then there were not the options today. I had a TJM that I liked the look of very much but it was no where near as strong as I needed and the tire was way to low. That is where we got the idea of the side panels. The TJM had these cool pads on top of the steel and the look was very pleasing.
When you consider that all the angles of this bumper are set by the joining of plate, welded closed and shaped by hours of grinding you can definitly call it home made or custom. Today that is all unneeded by the oragami like folds that cad benders con do on plate. the strength is greater with less weight and angles much smoother. I just thought I would put up some pictures of my old girl now that my son is using it as a daily driver. He has been spotting it since he was 6 or 7 so he has always considered it to be his.
If you are patient something cheap will show up. I got my TJM with tire carrier here for 1/2 the price new and a local club member got a Kaymar with dual swing arms for $300!! It was one of the most insane deals ever from craigslist.
