questions on DIY bumpers and seat covers...96 LX450

[onetruth1130]

ok first question. im considering fabricating my own rear bumper with swing out, maybe 2 swingouts. no small feat by any means. i have made my own swing out carrier for a subaru that went into the hitch and so far its holding up. i was just recently looking at another thread about diy bumpers, and alot of the guys kept saying that they would not recommend using 110volt welder..which is all i have at home with gas. whats the issue with 110volt? penetration? someone drop some knowledge please. im eager to make my own bumper and hopefully my welder is sufficient.
question two: the leather in my front seats are crap...is any company making OEM fabric covers that would fit like factory? i have seen a handful of factory leather covers but not many fabric...?
on a side note..anyone selling 2nd row seats??

 

[pandathrust]

Most likely depends on your welder and the material thickness of your bumper you are making. Most bumpers are made from 3/16" so that may or may not be pushing it for your welder. You'll have to check on your machine, but I have a miller 211 and while it will weld 3/16" with 110V it doesn't do a fantastic job so instead I use 220V with it. But then again it also depends on the design of your bumper as you might be able to just bevel the edges of the weld joint and do a multipass on it. If you are looking for an easy kit to put together I would check out 4x4labs and see if there is a group buy going on since it always seems like there is.

 

[SteamerF18]

Gauging interest - 80 series Cloth Seat covers

 

[onetruth1130]

Most likely depends on your welder and the material thickness of your bumper you are making. Most bumpers are made from 3/16" so that may or may not be pushing it for your welder. You'll have to check on your machine, but I have a miller 211 and while it will weld 3/16" with 110V it doesn't do a fantastic job so instead I use 220V with it. But then again it also depends on the design of your bumper as you might be able to just bevel the edges of the weld joint and do a multipass on it. If you are looking for an easy kit to put together I would check out 4x4labs and see if there is a group buy going on since it always seems like there is.

Yea I've seen that bumper kit. But with double swing out ur already at over $1000 which is waaaaaaay more than I'd like to spend. I built a basic wilco style single swing out for about $200. I'm gonna have to do my homework. Thanks for your help!