New custom winch bumper WIP

[Eldorado556]

Spent the weekend assisting with the build of my new bumper. I sourced the photo archives of the 60's forum for my favorite bumpers. Ended up reusing the vertical supports off my old Specter bull bar.

Personally, it doesn't feel right to tell a fabricator "build this" and pick it up when it's done. I want to be part of the process and learn some things. Having had a hand in the build makes me appreciate the effort that goes into custom fab work. Having done custom leatherwork I know how much time it can take. I was assigned weld grinding duty among other time eating tasks.

It's basically "done" apart from a couple tweaks and cosmetics. I have to finish grinding the welds, hooray! Also need to weld on light tabs.

End of frame was boxed and new mounts were welded on.

The winch plate rests on top of the new mounts.

Winch plate and skid plate on.

Teaser pics of the rest of the bumper.

Action photos.

 

[Lost]

looking good, i like the high clearance for the tires, are those the new wrangler duratracs? what kind of winch are you going to mount?

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

That looks really nice.
Can't wait to see it finished.

 

[Eldorado556]

looking good, i like the high clearance for the tires, are those the new wrangler duratracs? what kind of winch are you going to mount?

Yup they are the Duratracs. Pleased with them so far.
I haven't decided on a winch yet. Superwinch Talon is high on my list.

That looks really nice.
Can't wait to see it finished.

Thanks Steve. Hope to get a lot of welds smoothed today.

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

I'm not sure what you are using but I have found flap discs are really nice for smoothing out welds. They look like this.

 

[RunTrout]

Nice! looks burly, I like the skid plate idea. Definitely a one of a kind bumper. Foot surgery has my 60 sitting in the parking lot...
I've got an arc welder and a bucket of stick/materials. I don't really know how to weld. We should bust it out on some scrap metal and get some practice one of these days. Saw your wheeling videos, looks fun. Your buddy's Tacoma is bad ass...

 

[StevoJonesFJ60]

Definitely learn how to weld, its so helpful on these cruisers, especially if you plan on getting some protection for them.

 

[Spook50]

I'm not sure what you are using but I have found flap discs are really nice for smoothing out welds. They look like this.

Flap discs are the s***. Get a good technique down and they're faster than grinding wheels for smoothing out welds.

 

[Eldorado556]

Flap discs are the s***. Get a good technique down and they're faster than grinding wheels for smoothing out welds.

Picked up a flap disc. Definitely easier than a grinding wheel or sandpaper disc. Although they don't last as long as I'd like.

I found that the rust/paint removal discs work awesome for rounding things off and making the corners nice and smooth. Too bad they are pricey as well.

 

[Tapage]

Flap discs are the s***. Get a good technique down and they're faster than grinding wheels for smoothing out welds.

for us that just weld when it's necesary and don't have " good " technique .. they are good option ..

 

[Spook50]

for us that just weld when it's necesary and don't have " good " technique .. they are good option ..

My welding technique is already worlds better than it was when I first started. Grinding is now a rare thing for me, unless I want a joint absolutely seamless. When I do need 'em though, they're the handiest thing in my shop.

 

[Eldorado556]

One aspect that was sort of neglected was recovery points. I was thinking the best place for them would be directly in front of the frame rails. It would just require cutting out a piece of the skid plate at the corners.

 

[Spook50]

One aspect that was sort of neglected was recovery points. I was thinking the best place for them would be directly in front of the frame rails. It would just require cutting out a piece of the skid plate at the corners.

You might already be planning this, but make sure they're actually secured to the frame rails, and in a way that won't tweak the frame if/when there's stress put on them. Take a look at the recovery points on 4x4Labs's rear bumpers to see what I'm talking about.

 

[Eldorado556]

You might already be planning this, but make sure they're actually secured to the frame rails, and in a way that won't tweak the frame if/when there's stress put on them. Take a look at the recovery points on 4x4Labs's rear bumpers to see what I'm talking about.

Would you suggest welding them to the frame rails or bolt them on? I'm looking for a strong mount, but also don't want to have them tweak the frame.

 

[Spook50]

Would you suggest welding them to the frame rails or bolt them on? I'm looking for a strong mount, but also don't want to have them tweak the frame.

The ones I've seen were bolted to the frame, in addition to the bumper itself being bolted to its mounting points (and the recovery points being welded to the bumper).

 

[Eldorado556]

My shackle mounts didn't arrive today but we got the rest of the bumber done. We'll have to weld on the mounts later. Added light tabs and a tab for my CB antenna. Just need to do the final sanding. I'll take everything off, repaint and then install with my new grade 8 hardware.

 

[Rokkrawlertoyz]

Very cool

 

[rover67]

lookin' good amigo!!!!!

 

[Eldorado556]

lookin' good amigo!!!!!

I'll have to stop by after work so you can check it out.

Finally got everything painted. Hammered black Rustoleum for everything but the skid plate which I just did flat black. It's nice to have a little early warning before I smash my shackles into some rocks.

 

[RunTrout]

looks very professional, nice work!