Modifying 4x4Labs bumper?

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Jerry I am definitely in, thanks for getting the steel! My schedule is flexible, I can come by this weekend to noodle, or "ideate" (plus I can finally meet Diesel) - just let me know when it's good for you.
 
I'll swing by prolly - just going a bit different direction than you guys and not ready to buy materials yet. Thanks for setting it up Jerry.

:beer: R
 
Jerry I am definitely in, thanks for getting the steel! My schedule is flexible, I can come by this weekend to noodle, or "ideate" (plus I can finally meet Diesel) - just let me know when it's good for you.

Sounds good, I should be around all weekend. Give me a buzz when you have some free time...

I'll swing by prolly - just going a bit different direction than you guys and not ready to buy materials yet. Thanks for setting it up Jerry.

:beer: R

No worries, I knew you were on the fence. Maybe we will inspire you with something new, fresh and innovative. Probably not but I'll at least have a cold :beer: in the garage fridge...
 
You certainly want to latch the swingouts to the bumper and not just to each other. Your best bet is to provide some sort of pad that supports weight on the free swinging end as well to take some of the shear effect off of the spindle.

Keep in mind that the farther away from the spindle you go both up and laterally adds more to the moment which increases stress on the spindle. Think of the forces put on the spindle while bouncing around on the trail. THey can be HUGE. This is why I use the 4X4 Labs 1.75" spindle shaft.

You also want to triangulate the mounting point back to the frame inside the bumper if you can. Basically whatever you can do to make the spindle mount bullet proof. I double triangulate the spindles on the FJ cruiser bumpers I build, to the point if you yank on the spare the whole bumper slightly twists. This is far better than the spindle itself moving. Without some sort of angled brace from the swing arm forward you will always have some movement.

Steel keeps going up, and up. The costs of making the steel is what has been the driving force for that in the last couple of years. Imagine trying to make a living where steel is your primary material. Do that in an industry where people purchase your products with "disposable" income.
 
Thanks for the feedback and tips Stan.

One thing that works well with the 4x4 bumper is the spindle end bottoms on the underside of the plate, making for another weld point. I also love his spindles, I'll be using them for my double swinger.

The square/rectangle/plate steel arrived today. I had to go rent one of the Lowe's pickups to get it all home. I've really got to get this 45 on the road...
 
Dude, you should have called me. I am WFH today and my truck is sitting idle in the driveway all day :(

:beer: R
 
Yes, I should have. Shep called, said it was in and I wanted to get busy, trying to build a legit welding table.

I thought about it, assumed you'd be working. Thought about it again as I was trying to move the 4'x8' sheet of 1/4" plate, wondering what time you might take lunch. But, one learns how to get creative when you are a one man shop, Stan gives me ideas when I ask.

Thanks though, I may hit you up when the round tube shows up Mon/Tues. The problem is my hours and your hours don't match, they keep pretty tight hours down there at Fabco, no weekend hours either. Maybe we could meet at your lunch and swap vehicles or something like that.

In any event, I guess I'll have a home improvement project to complete this weekend. Every house should have a 4X6 welding table in the garage...
 
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