Lean, clean and simple bumper build

[love2fly]

One of the last Items to be added to my LWB before paint is a removable rear bumper. Removable as I did not want a bolt on bumper just one that can be installed for around town and looks good, and when hooking up my off road trailer it comes off and then the trailer is hitched up. Who needs a bumper then.
I wanted it stout enough to were a it would take on small bumps and smacks to help protect the very light tail light frame metal section and some of the lower tail gate area. Of course any crash 10 MPH and above can be devastating, and can come from a VW or a Mack truck. Hopefully that wont be the case.

So with a length of 3" X 1" X 1/2" X 71" .120 rectangular tubing I built this removable bumper for under $27 not including the three welding rods used and three hours of time..
A glance you would think that this would not hold up to a child's Red Radio Flyer Wagon impact but I assure you it will take a lot more abuse from the top/side/ bottom and direct than you think. The only thing holding into place is the receiver when pined. The two 2" receiver inner bumper tubes welded on each inside butt up to the rear frame of the 45 (no bolts) and with two tabs (the main elements in keeping it stable) welded below both to stabilize it from moving (at all). Plastic caps are installed on ends of the tubing witched helped on the 2" tubing that was butted up to the frame from making metal to metal contact.
One can make the bumper bigger using the same manner.
Lean, clean, and simple, it's better than nothing.

 

[love2fly]

More

Some of the bumper removed.

 

[love2fly]

Few more

Before end caps and cutting the welds down to make look good and primer /paint.

 

[45Kevin]

Nice looking, but it will rattle won't it?

I'd put some bumbers on it to protect the tailgate when it is open.

Do you have a source for the round reflectors next to your tail lights?

And is that license plate bracket and light stock? The ones I have seen are hinged so the plate doesn't bend when off-road.

 

[love2fly]

Bumper

Hey 45Kevin
Not one rattle out of it. The tolerances when building it were tight. This does not mean a year from now it wont start rattle. I can grab the end and move it only 1/8" up and down if that.
Yeah the bumper idea is a good one, more bumpers
The reflector are the original. Barely usable, both broke off when removing but left enough tread to were I could weld some new treads on to the old shafts. The closest I have seen to that size were bicycle reflectors.
The license plate frame and light are fix to the frame by using the stock hole's in the frame that have nut plates. Not to worried about bending a plate its the side fenders I hate to bend. I am working on a tube system that will go from the frame to the areas just under the fender skits to help protect them from the crunches. Will post that later.
Thanks

 

[Poser]

Land Cruiser


Did you install that Scotchlok in the rear lighting harness?


Land Cruiser

 

[love2fly]

Scotchlok

I am not very fond of those type Scotchlok, it was temp install. they invite more trouble latter on. I usually use the water proof type.
This is a temp LWB install as I will be removing the bed for paint soon.

 

[alberta mac]

Will you be welding some gussett plates on ?
Great idea ! but i would weld gussett plates on between the new bumper and sq tubing and weld a mounting plate and bolt it to the frame.