Buildn' my own bumper (pics)

[MagicBeans]

Thanks to all of you who have gone this route before me, and posted your bumper build photos. I'm sure you'll be able to spot the elements of other bumpers i've incorporated into my own. I'm way behind in posting photos, i'll just add them as i can. I'm using a section of 4"x6" 1/4 thick rectangular tubing for the bulk of the bumper. It will also have "wings" that will be 2"x3" 1/4" rectangular tubing. They'll run all the way to the rear fender wells. Thanks to IPOR for the tire carrier spindles. Tuff stuff. Getting started with the build, I removed a bunch of frame rivets, the four that connect the body mounts to the frame will be replaced with 3/8" bolts that will hold the main supports of the bumper. I also chopped a couple inches off the frame, and I decided to chop my quarter panels. The previous owner put some nice dents in them, and I like the chopped look so they're gone. After the cut, I' bent them to match (as best as I could) the 45 degree angle of the quarter panel by the bumper. Here's the first set of pics. By the way, can anyone explain to me how to put pics in between text?

 

[MagicBeans]

And two more of the chopped 1/4 panels.

 

[Dirtgypsy]

that looks like a good start. please do keep us posted. as far as posting text between pics: post your pic, then scroll to end of pic and hit enter till you see the curser hit enter again and then add text.

cliNt

 

[D'Animal]

I like the chopped panels.

 

[Sixty's Guy]

Do you have more pics/info on the 1/4 chop?

 

[Gappy]

I like the chopped panels.

X2........wish I didn't.......makes me wish bad things on my cruiser.

 

[MagicBeans]

The 1/4 panel cut was a little on the difficult side. Making a straight line was the hardest part. At first I thought of using my "la-ser" level to mark a straight horizontaly line across the panels, and simply cutting along the line. But my the body of my truck isn't level (it sits slightly nose down) so that would give me a line straight with the ground, not the body. So then I came up with the idea to measure out where to cut. To do so, I ran a strip of tape down an identifiable crease in the body, like so:

after that, I used a tape measure and a micrometer to measure a uniform distance down from the edge of the tape. I marked this distance off with another strip of tape. One side came out well; the other side where the panel was dented not so much.

 

[MagicBeans]

And one photo of the bumper starting to take shape:

 

[1phrogguy]

Looking good Magic

We will have to get together sometime, I would like to see your rig. I've got an 84 60 that I plan on doing the same with.

Jon

 

[boots4]

First off, fantasic screen name. Second, really like how you cut the 1/4s. Thanks for showing how you kept the line for part of the rear indentation. Once I took the original bumper off and saw how far the frame stuck out I chopped some of it off too. Keep up the good work!

One request: could you show how you have or will deal with the gas filler neck hole on the passenger side? Maybe I missed it on one of the threads here already but I haven't seen anyone document that part yet.

 

[MagicBeans]

Boots: A stupid wire is just in the way in this picture, but you get the idea. Before I cut them I wanted to make sure i didn't bring them up past the filler neck. I can't imagine what kind of nightmare that would be to deal with. I did cut into the rubber gasket surrounding it, no big deal though. I've already welded some 1/8" plate onto the bottom of the cuts, once I get to working on it again, I'll post some more photos of how they look all sealed up.

 

[jfz80]

sweet lookin build. wish i would have had the wrap around protection on the taco! it would have saved my bedside on a I-40 hit and run. who says burly bumpers are just for the trails? is that a diamond plate interior? schweeeeet.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Looks excellent. Can't wait to see the end pic for the quarters.

 

[MagicBeans]

After a recent rear end collision, I've decided to bring this posting out of mothballs cut to the chase. A move, new house, and a bunch of personal stuff have kept me off MUD long enough. Here are the pics of my finished product, pre-collision.

 

[MagicBeans]

About a month after finishing it I was rear-ended by a minivan doing about 50. It crushed the left rear taillight into the body, then pushed me forward about ten feet forward into a suv in front of me. Nothing but paint scrapes on the bumper. No damage to the frame. The G forces neary tore my seat off of its sliding rails. And of course, the mini van was a write-off. Another shot from the side, and two post accident.

 

[cfdlighthouse]

man that looks great....love the tire and can carrier.

 

[jgordon]

wow. go cruisers.

 

[Kavik]

I likey the bumper. Bummer about the accident.

Did you end up capping the under side of the 1/4 trim? I can't see from the pics.

Anyways, nice job!

 

[Dirtgypsy]

bumper looks great. dig the dual arm look. bummer to hear about the accident.

how she wheel with the 35's?

clint

 

[yetiman]

Bumper looks great! I have been toying with trying to build up some bumpers for my 85' 60. Thanks for the great pics!