Can I have that cardboard?
Time to build a rear bumper
- Thread starter bowtiestang
- Start date
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Looking good!
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #23
The wing is running both up and out to meet the fender flair, I cut am angle into the top plate of the bumper ( 1/2 " taper front to rear ) and the plate on the wing is also running up hill very slightly. If I ran it all at 90* angles the bumper was 1.5" wider at the rear.
I was going to get more elaborate but want to keep the fab work to a minimum...anyone should be able to build this with just a welder, cutoff wheel a 20" flat of 6" x 3/16 and some 2" x 3/16. Should be well under $200 total.
I am also doing dual swing outs and going to bend a 1.5" DOM hoop to mount on the wing for 1/4 panel protection (thats why I flared the bumper out).
The cardboard will be cheaper than a bumper to ship
I will post patterns and parts list once I am done so others can borrow from the design.
The cardboard will be cheaper than a bumper to ship
Our Hero!!! 
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #25
I could have used my plasma cutter but just to show that only redneck tools are needed i used this
This is all steel I needed $92
Did one last look and changed the angles on the bottom. And cut the pattern apart:
Cut the steel:
Tacked the top and bottom for test fit:
Going to a movie so thats all for now
This is all steel I needed $92
Did one last look and changed the angles on the bottom. And cut the pattern apart:
Cut the steel:
Tacked the top and bottom for test fit:
Going to a movie so thats all for now
This is awesome!
Looking great.
looks good, can't wait to see more
I'm definately going to build my own bumper. I've got a mate who's going to teach me to weld, and this looks like a great design as I too have a towbar that hangs low and scrapes off every decent sized rock.
Subscribed!
Quick question about setting up to weld in your garage, how much space do you need between your work and the other **** that lives in your garage - surf boards, camping gear, bikes etc (the cars live outside) - to be fire safe, etc
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #30
Haven't had much time last few days to work on the bumper but did get the "wings"
tacked on...sorry for the poor quality pics
tacked on...sorry for the poor quality pics
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #31
Quick question about setting up to weld in your garage, how much space do you need between your work and the other **** that lives in your garage - surf boards, camping gear, bikes etc (the cars live outside) - to be fire safe, etc
I guess you should have lots of room so you dont catch $hit on fire....But I just kick $hit out the door as it flames up
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #32
Few more...getting ready to finish weld and clean up with the flap wheel.
Once I take it back off also need to put a bottom plate on and some misc end caps and such to spruce it up..
Once I take it back off also need to put a bottom plate on and some misc end caps and such to spruce it up..
will you be welding this to the frame, or leaving it bolted up?
looks good!
looks good!
Looking killer. I didn't see where you said you got the spindle kits from. Looking forward to next update!
E.
E.
I'm going to watch you finish this up
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #37
Just bolting it up...but will be adding more mounts and beefing up the main frame mount
Competition 4x4
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #38
Plans, parts list and price
Here is the low down on materials and price up to the point above.
1 stick of 3/16 x 6 flat $75.98
1 stick of 3/16 x 2 flat $22.71
Frame mounts free...cut them off of the OEM receiver
So if you want a bare bones with no swing outs or recovery points you are in for
$98.69
I have added dual 1000 lbs swing outs for $104.85 shipped
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
and dual clevis recovery tabs for $24.95 shipped
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
$228.40 is the total not counting the steel for the swing out and tire mount but lets say add $50 for that. I will also be adding lots more reinforcement a hitch and tubing on the wings to protect the 1/4 panels...but I have scrap steel for all that from the race car and past projects
Here is the low down on materials and price up to the point above.
1 stick of 3/16 x 6 flat $75.98
1 stick of 3/16 x 2 flat $22.71
Frame mounts free...cut them off of the OEM receiver
So if you want a bare bones with no swing outs or recovery points you are in for
$98.69
I have added dual 1000 lbs swing outs for $104.85 shipped
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
and dual clevis recovery tabs for $24.95 shipped
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
$228.40 is the total not counting the steel for the swing out and tire mount but lets say add $50 for that. I will also be adding lots more reinforcement a hitch and tubing on the wings to protect the 1/4 panels...but I have scrap steel for all that from the race car and past projects
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This has got to be one of my favorite/helpful build threads of all time!! Before reading this post I had no clue on how to start building my own rear bumper. Not only did you breakdown the parts and cost, you included the design, and showed me how to cut the steel as well (I had no idea you could use a saw). Now I just need to learn how to use my new welder 
. Thanks for the time you put into this, it's exactly what I've been looking for!!
. Thanks for the time you put into this, it's exactly what I've been looking for!!
bowtiestang
Speak of the devil and he shall appear
- Thread starter
- #40
This has got to be one of my favorite/helpful build threads of all time!! Before reading this post I had no clue on how to start building my own rear bumper. Not only did you breakdown the parts and cost, you included the design, and showed me how to cut the steel as well (I had no idea you could use a saw). Now I just need to learn how to use my new welder
All the cuts are made with the saw or a 4.5" cut off wheel...never used the plasma once
The welds are getting ground down so looks dont matter just make sure to burn them in good.. I used my Miller 130 (110V) so for 3/16 it was turned up all the way to 10 and wire speed at 5.5. Just play with a few welds to set your speed to look good. With the 3/16 steel you wont burn thru it with a 110v welder...so give it hell
Just make sure to do it in cardboard first and with the steel tack the whole thing together first, test fit it the weld it one you are sure it is all good.
I am working on the "looks" of it now so I will post some pics tonight if I get any real progress made.
I ordered a winch so a front bumper build is coming soon. But I will use the "big" welder for that one since it will be 1/4 and 5/16 steel on the "strong" parts and then 3/16 on the sides.
