Rear bumper questions (1 Viewer)

[Hayes]

Hey.

I'm pondering the feasibility of fabricating my own rear bumper (w/burly tire carrier, jerry can carrier). My father has done a bit of welding over the years, and has expressed a willingness to help. I know nothing about welding.

1. I read through (most) of the rear bumper FAQ, and noticed most of the photos are missing. Does anyone know if there is a place with lots of photos of rear bumpers?

2. When you fabricate your own bumper, do you follow some kind of plan or diagram? Or do you just go for it? Where could I find example of rear bumper plans--if they exist?

3. I found a little info on materials--mostly on hardware (latches, etc). What varieties and guages of steel would one use to build a rear bumper?

Thanks for any info/links. Of course I'll keep looking myself.

Hayes

 

[Josh83]

I am in the middle of building mine right now, so hopefully I can help. I am taking a different approach. I am making new side wings and retaining the factory rear crossmember. I started with my mounts. I used 3/4" plate to fabricate mounts that bolted to the stock tow hook location and then wrapped up the side of the frame and bolt to two stock captured nuts in the frame there. I integrated some shackle mounts into the mounts. Then I used some 2x4x1/4" tubing for the rear and side wings. It's still a work in progress but plans for tonight are mounts from the side wings to the frame, and then I guess I can start on my tire carrier. As for the carrier, I am using a 2000# safety latch, 2 spring pins(like the slee design) and a slee spindle(just ordered that). The latch and pins came from McMaster-Carr, and the specs are as follows(taken directly from my invoice):

Weld-in quick pin
1/2" diameter, 5/8" usable length, 3" barrel length, t-handle $12.38 ea

Horizontal U-bolt pull-action toggle clamp
2000# capacity $38 ea.

I am pretty much building as I go and have a LOT of time into it so far. I am working on it in my free time at work, and have a guy helping me. We have about 20 hours each into it so far and are about half done.

 

[sleeoffroad]

FYI on the pins. The sleave on the weld in pins are not coated. They eventually corrode and the pin sticks. Also I initially thought the 1/2" was big enough, but a number of people have bent those. We now have our own pin that is machined out of stainless with a 3/4" hardened stainless inner piece.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Yep on what Christo said. One of my locking pins bent. Go bigger if you can.

 

[Josh83]

How much do those pins run Christo?

 

[MaddBaggins]

For bumper pics check out
www.sleeoffroad.com
www.hannaquality.com
www.4x4labs.com
some good quality bumpers on on three sites
also check man-a-fre for pics of Kaymar bumpers
There are plenty of others but thats all I can think of. z80 recently posted a pic of a tube bumper he is working on.