1973Guppie
Supporting Vendor
sub'd.......
Builds "Red Lobster" Build (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter pandathrust
- Start date
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I remember seeing that thing on craigslist I think. Super nice truck, and good to see another ATL mudder.
- Thread starter
- #23
Thanks. It's always good to have more trucks in the area!
I got about 5 hours of work done on the bumper today. It all went fairly smoothly except for one hiccup. The first thing I did was cut down the frame with the crossmember and ground down all the welds.
After that was done, I was ready to bolt the wings on when i noticed a sheared bolt in one of the captured nuts that the bumper uses to attach to the frame. I Pb blasted the crap out of it, then started welding nuts to it so i should get a socket on it and crank it out.
After welding about 4 nuts to it, it started to move and then all of a sudden I heard a loud pop, then it started to spin really easy. I knew it was either a really good thing, or a terrible thing, and with my luck it was the latter haha. The captured nut had broken free and was spinning inside the frame. After thinking through my options, I decided to cut a rectangular hole out of the frame and weld in a new nut for the bolt to thread into. To me it seemed like the most permanent solution, and really isn't going to be a big deal, but who doesn't like cutting big holes in their frames...
It was a PITA, it took the majority of my time just to get my frame prepped, when it could have only taken 15 minutes. Now, it's like it never happened, except for the hole in the frame. I didn't get a chance to weld in a rectangular piece of 3/16" plate yet, but that will be finished this weekend.
After that debacle, I got to tacking all the pieces together. It went together surprisingly smoothly, with only a small bit of grinding here and there to make all the pieces line up perfectly. After everything was hard tacked together, I was ready to start fully welding it out.
I started to burn in the crossmember when a some spatter got onto the contact tip and messed it up. I couldn't find anymore tips in the garage and called it quits. I decided I should probably start cramming for my exam on Friday instead.
This bumper looks so sexy. I still have to fully weld it inside and outside and weld on the spindle and tubes on the wings, but that shouldn't be too hard. Then the fun starts when i get to grind down all the welds and round over all the corners.
Building this bumper has got me in the mood to start building a front bumper too. The ARB is too large, hangs down too low, and is too weak IMO. It just can take the abuse that i want to throw its way. I'm looking for one that has good approach, but also protects the truck well. Hopefully, I can get that project going in the next coming months, along with building new sliders...
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2012
- Threads
- 581
- Messages
- 16,305
- Location
- Winter Park, Florida
- Website
- www.cruisermatts.com
Welds look good, it's much easier building bumpers when the parts are pre-cut. 
Looks good little guy. Best 80 rear bumper out there. And for a fraction of the cost of mine... I'm totes jell.
ClemsonCruiser
Supporting Vendor
Makes me glad my old 80 went to such a good home. Love what you have done to her and its awesome seeing you use her like your supposed to!! Great build... keep up the good work
- Thread starter
- #27
Makes me glad my old 80 went to such a good home. Love what you have done to her and its awesome seeing you use her like your supposed to!! Great build... keep up the good work
Thanks JP. I'm glad that you approve of what I'm doing. I love everyday of driving it around.
- Thread starter
- #28
Got back to work on the 4x4labs bumper today. Basically got the majority of the bumper fully welded. Only a few more things to weld up on the inside as well as the hoops for the quarter guard wings. I'll have to weld the hoops after I get the corners rounded over which I'll get done in the next couple of days. I started off the day by cutting a rectangular piece of 3/16" plate for the hole that I cut into the frame.
A few welds and some paint and it looks like it never happened...
Got both the wings welded to the main shell, as well as the recovery points and the hitch burned in.
I am gonna weld the passenger side spindle hole closed since i'm planning on making a single swing out with a centered tire carrier. I'd like to make the tire up high so that it doesn't end up limiting the departure like some tire carriers do that hang down too low.
I decided to add a 15" length of 4" wide 3/16" to brace the bend in the quarter guards. I know the tubes will stiffen the wing up but a little added protection won't hurt anything. The IPOR that I had before was made fully out of 1/4" and even it had the braces on the quarter protection. It already feels stronger with them welded onto the wings. Don't mind the huge chunk of dirt sitting in the fender lip haha.
I'm gonna grind down the end of the wings so that it lines up with the fender and so my tires won't rub up on it or the tube that goes on top of it when the bumper is done.
Whenever I get to work on it next, I will finish welding everything on, and start to grind down and smooth the corners. I gotta head to Home Depot and get some flap discs and i'll be on the road to finishing the bumper soon.
A few welds and some paint and it looks like it never happened...
Got both the wings welded to the main shell, as well as the recovery points and the hitch burned in.
I am gonna weld the passenger side spindle hole closed since i'm planning on making a single swing out with a centered tire carrier. I'd like to make the tire up high so that it doesn't end up limiting the departure like some tire carriers do that hang down too low.
I decided to add a 15" length of 4" wide 3/16" to brace the bend in the quarter guards. I know the tubes will stiffen the wing up but a little added protection won't hurt anything. The IPOR that I had before was made fully out of 1/4" and even it had the braces on the quarter protection. It already feels stronger with them welded onto the wings. Don't mind the huge chunk of dirt sitting in the fender lip haha.
I'm gonna grind down the end of the wings so that it lines up with the fender and so my tires won't rub up on it or the tube that goes on top of it when the bumper is done.
Whenever I get to work on it next, I will finish welding everything on, and start to grind down and smooth the corners. I gotta head to Home Depot and get some flap discs and i'll be on the road to finishing the bumper soon.
Looking good Aidan. Are you planning to rattle can it or is it going to see the the business end of a "Smoking Gun"
I also like the internal brace that you added. Definitely beefing it up.
I also like the internal brace that you added. Definitely beefing it up.
- Thread starter
- #30
I plan to rattle can it. I think powder coat would look great until I nick it on something haha. Still deciding if i want to spray it black or go with a darkish grey. I think the grey on front/ rear bumpers and sliders would look good.
Yeah the bracing turned out well. Really stiffens up the wings, but I haven't added the tubes yet. i had some spare plate, so i figured why not.
- Thread starter
- #31
Today i grinded the welds down and got it all smooth and rounded. It turned out pretty well.
I grinded down the wings to match the fender so the tire wouldn't rub. I flexed it out and i don't think it would have really rubbed too much had i not grinder it down, but i'd rather it not rub at all.
Then i cut the tubes to length and welded on the end caps and rounded the edges before i welded them onto the actual wings. Figured it would be easier to do it then, rather than with them welded on. Then i welded the tubes on.
I welded the whole length of the tube to the wing on the inside in 4 in. increments, taking time between welding to let it cool down so it wouldn't warp.
Still have to weld the spindle on as well as the spindle stopper and the spindle stub for the other spindle hole, but after that the bumper will be ready for paint.
The tubes ended up being really tight to the quarter panels, which looks great. With those 3/16" wing stiffeners i don't think they will be moving anywhere.
Waiting on a box from Luke, Ruffstuff, and the Destaco latch off amazon for the tire carrier. Then I need to head to the local metal shop and pick up some 2.5" x 2.5" 3/16" wall square tube, some 2" round tube, and 3/8" plate, then I will have all the parts for the tire carrier which will probably get done in the next week or two.
I grinded down the wings to match the fender so the tire wouldn't rub. I flexed it out and i don't think it would have really rubbed too much had i not grinder it down, but i'd rather it not rub at all.
Then i cut the tubes to length and welded on the end caps and rounded the edges before i welded them onto the actual wings. Figured it would be easier to do it then, rather than with them welded on. Then i welded the tubes on.
I welded the whole length of the tube to the wing on the inside in 4 in. increments, taking time between welding to let it cool down so it wouldn't warp.
Still have to weld the spindle on as well as the spindle stopper and the spindle stub for the other spindle hole, but after that the bumper will be ready for paint.
The tubes ended up being really tight to the quarter panels, which looks great. With those 3/16" wing stiffeners i don't think they will be moving anywhere.
Waiting on a box from Luke, Ruffstuff, and the Destaco latch off amazon for the tire carrier. Then I need to head to the local metal shop and pick up some 2.5" x 2.5" 3/16" wall square tube, some 2" round tube, and 3/8" plate, then I will have all the parts for the tire carrier which will probably get done in the next week or two.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
Shenanigans
- Thread starter
- #33
Today I finally got started on the swing out. I've been gathering all the metal and necessary hardware for a while now, but it all came in on yesterday, so I got to work on getting all the pieces fitted up. Over the weekend, I used one of the Georgia Cruisers member's tube bender to get my tube all bent to shape. Here, we are figuring out where to position the tube in the die to make the bends much up perfectly.
First thing to do today was to weld the spindle to the shell.
I also received the spindle plug from Luke for the opposite side hole. I beveled the edges and welded it in and ground it smooth.
I notched the end of the 2.5"x2.5" square tube to accept the spindle and got that all welded up. I also drilled and tapped holes to mount the Destaco latch to the tube.
Got my 4x4labs swag welded on there. Looks awesome!
I fully welded the 3/8" plate to the tube as well as the receiver and gussets to the plate.
This is the adjustable tire backing plate that will adjust from 4.5" all to about 6.5" which should come in handy if i ever decide to change tire width.
Here is what i was going for with my swing out. Up high and not screwing with the departure angle. Granted now i won't be able to see out of my rear window, but really who uses those anyway...
I had my doubts when starting today that i bent the tube enough over the weekend, but it turned out to match the contour of the back of the 80 perfectly.
I have to add some long (6-7") gussets on the inside of the tube to strengthen it up tomorrow.
I'm very happy with how the whole thing turned out and can't wait to see it painted up. Tomorrow i have to add those gussets to the tube, make some new "hooks" for the Destaco latch since the one that i received won't work with the overall curved shape of the bumper, weld on the stopper for the swing out and i will be ready for the final paint.
First thing to do today was to weld the spindle to the shell.
I also received the spindle plug from Luke for the opposite side hole. I beveled the edges and welded it in and ground it smooth.
I notched the end of the 2.5"x2.5" square tube to accept the spindle and got that all welded up. I also drilled and tapped holes to mount the Destaco latch to the tube.
Got my 4x4labs swag welded on there. Looks awesome!
I fully welded the 3/8" plate to the tube as well as the receiver and gussets to the plate.
This is the adjustable tire backing plate that will adjust from 4.5" all to about 6.5" which should come in handy if i ever decide to change tire width.
Here is what i was going for with my swing out. Up high and not screwing with the departure angle. Granted now i won't be able to see out of my rear window, but really who uses those anyway...
I had my doubts when starting today that i bent the tube enough over the weekend, but it turned out to match the contour of the back of the 80 perfectly.
I have to add some long (6-7") gussets on the inside of the tube to strengthen it up tomorrow.
I'm very happy with how the whole thing turned out and can't wait to see it painted up. Tomorrow i have to add those gussets to the tube, make some new "hooks" for the Destaco latch since the one that i received won't work with the overall curved shape of the bumper, weld on the stopper for the swing out and i will be ready for the final paint.
sweet build, subscribed.
Nice bumper build. Fun kit to build. Can you post pics of your latch?
- Thread starter
- #36
Thanks. I don't have a good picture of it right now but i will get you one tomorrow. It's a destaco 341-r model. Here's the amazon link that i purchased it at (http://www.amazon.com/DE-STA-CO-341...F8&qid=1419995188&sr=1-1&keywords=destaco+341)
ok. thanks. curious how its mounted
- Thread starter
- #38
I'm planning on making two tabs out of 1/4" plate that have the hook shape on one side and the other will match the curve of the bumper. Seems easy in my head, but it will probably take a few tries to make it perfect.
I've been having trouble with my single swing. 4x4 labs full length. the 2x2 main bar flex's like crazy with a 37" tire.
- Thread starter
- #40
That's weird. I would't think that it would flex at all. Are the bearings still good or is the square tube literally flexing all around. I'd contact Luke about it, he'd probably have some suggestions on how to fix or atleast minimize the problem.
Here are a few pictures of the latch you asked for.
And a few of the hooks that I ended up making. They look pretty stupid i'll admit it, but they get the job done really well. The latch clamps down really hard and doesn't budge a bit.
