Does anyone make an aluminum rear bumper? I'm not finding anything.
Aluminum Rear Bumper?
- Thread starter FernwoodPatriot
- Start date
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re_guderian
SILVER Star
Personally, I wouldn't want an aluminum rear bumper based on how much I drag my rear end...
[Comments withheld] hahahaha
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Why? Let 'er rip!
r2m
Richard
I'm running an aluminum factor 55 knock off receiver shackle mount in my class 5 receiver to act as a "sacrificial anode". Helps save the bumper!
LOL! If you ever thought an exhaust manifold bolt was hard to break free try the steel bolt holding a sacrificial anode on a Navy ship that has sat in saltwater for a few years. Slugging wrench and sledge hammer to start with and more times than not shear the bolt off.
I put heavy duty bumpers on my Polaris Ranger Trail Boss XP1000 fore and aft, with winches on both. In 50 years of off roading I've never wanted to go forward deeper into anything I've been stuck in instead back out, rear winches are good. I splurged on Factor 55 shackle mounts and gear. Spendy stuff but hey they give you a sticker for each piece
I don't do stickers though and they sit in a drawer with a bunch of others. The 55 red is a good contrast against the black bumpers. Have used them to pull others out but fingers crossed haven't had to use them for myself.
My GX has the front bumper chop, sidesteps removed and sliders installed and 2" taller than OEM tires. But that rear bumper does leave me more than a little concerned. Especially the receiver and trailer electrical plug. And I need both for towing the buggy.
- Thread starter
- #8
Our last vehicle had a plastic rear bumper. The first time we kinda of got stuck going to the cabin in the winter it was destroyed by the snow. We try to stay as light as possible to stay on top of the snow. If and when we do get stuck there is nobody around to help pull us out.
Unfortunately of all the skills I have acquired in life welding is not one of them. It does not appear anybody out there makes an aluminum rear bumper. Now my quest is to find a light weight steel bumper that removes enough plastic that backing into deep snow won't cause body damage.
Unfortunately of all the skills I have acquired in life welding is not one of them. It does not appear anybody out there makes an aluminum rear bumper. Now my quest is to find a light weight steel bumper that removes enough plastic that backing into deep snow won't cause body damage.
Similar situation here I run solo hunting Northern Ontario and North Shore of Lake Superior mid Sept. to Nov. I don't want anyone to hot spot my locations. Got the Ranger for lightweight running in snow and bogs but can't legally take it everywhere so don't. I do not want to lift the GX been there many times in the past and ugly truth is you end up paying a price. Eventually, I don't care how you do it. And I don't want to modify the suspension, Lexus got this right on my Lux especially for towing.
I've looked everywhere for a lightweight aluminum bumper since I got it in Nov. and didn't see anything. The only thing I have found was a lightweight steel tube high clearance bumper
Ascend Fabrications in Mn. up in the Cities. Only 75 pounds but it isn't for towing and that is a show stopper for me. You also have to remove the rear crossmember and factory tow hitch. So weight wise you aren't adding much if any weight especially if you have a factory hitch.
About the lightest option I have seen so far. The 4x4 shop that did my front bumper chop took one look at it and said should reinforce it otherwise first snowbank I hit will rip it off. They did a good job haven't seen any others do that. I said a lot of people put molding on the cuts and they laughed, said the second snowbank I hit would rip it off. They used to do that on jeep fenders but they don't last in snow so don't do it anymore, they use a small oscillating cut off saw with fine tooth blade so don't need to cover up any cuts.
If you find a lightweight higher clearance bumper that still allows towing I am very interested.
I've looked everywhere for a lightweight aluminum bumper since I got it in Nov. and didn't see anything. The only thing I have found was a lightweight steel tube high clearance bumper
Ascend Fabrications in Mn. up in the Cities. Only 75 pounds but it isn't for towing and that is a show stopper for me. You also have to remove the rear crossmember and factory tow hitch. So weight wise you aren't adding much if any weight especially if you have a factory hitch.
About the lightest option I have seen so far. The 4x4 shop that did my front bumper chop took one look at it and said should reinforce it otherwise first snowbank I hit will rip it off. They did a good job haven't seen any others do that. I said a lot of people put molding on the cuts and they laughed, said the second snowbank I hit would rip it off. They used to do that on jeep fenders but they don't last in snow so don't do it anymore, they use a small oscillating cut off saw with fine tooth blade so don't need to cover up any cuts.
If you find a lightweight higher clearance bumper that still allows towing I am very interested.
r2m
Richard
Do you have a compressor with you on your rig? If so, when you're in deeper snow, deflate your tires, you'll get a larger tire patch for going over the fluffy stuff.
Regarding welding, there's welding and then there's aluminum welding. Welding aluminum requires gas and usually a specific welder, although there are multi use welders for MIG, TIG, stick.
But if you have any interest in welding, shop Amazon for a $150.00 starter welding kit (https://www.amazon.com/Agilworx-Wel...64&sprefix=starter+welding+kit,aps,152&sr=8-8) , go to the junk yard, pick up some scrap metal and watch some YouTube videos.
It's fun and not that hard at all to do!
Note: be sure to check the the welders required voltage if you DO NOT have 220 AC in your garage or wherever you plan on welding.
- Thread starter
- #11
I know all about airing down and breaking trail in the snow. In a former life I did a lot of hard core 4-wheeling. I was also the Publisher and Editor of a regional 4x4 printed newspaper for many years.
I'm not ready to pick up a new hobby (welding) at this point in my life. I want something that only requires installation at this time.
Maintaining towing capabilities is a must for me as well as well as the option to carry an oversized spare.
I really like the design of the single swing rear bumper from Expedition One, just wish it wasn't so heavy, it would be an awesome aluminum design.
I'm not ready to pick up a new hobby (welding) at this point in my life. I want something that only requires installation at this time.
Maintaining towing capabilities is a must for me as well as well as the option to carry an oversized spare.
I really like the design of the single swing rear bumper from Expedition One, just wish it wasn't so heavy, it would be an awesome aluminum design.
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