Rough sketch of my bumper idea

[BootPowerRanger]

Here it is, I'm planning on building this on the front of my '97 ranger. Materials, 1/4" plate for bumper brackets, 1/8" plate for skid plate (more to protect from sticks going into my radiator) 34" long piece of 4" channel steel, 2" bumper mounted receiver hitch (from harbor freight) and 2" square tube to reenforce the outer parts of the channel steel (so I can use the farm jack on the outer sides)
It'll all be welded together except where it attaches to the truck, two grade 8 bolts on each side going all the way through the frame horns will attach it.

Here is the rough sketch, any input would be great.

The idea is to be strong and provide a high mounted receiver hitch so that I can remove my winch when running around town, being that this is my daily driver.
I'm more worried about function and strength than looking good...

Sorry, I'm no Picasso... Hope you can make it out...


Oh, channel steel will be just as long as my grill is at its widest point.

 

[RangerSVT]

Looks like a good plan, i would run some 3/16 or 1/4 plate on side the frame where the crimple zone is, then bolt through that. Now start cutting some steel

SVT

 

[don4331]

BootPowerRanger:

My '98's rails are more/less 34" wide; so there are some slight variations with what I produced to what you were suggesting. (I put mounting rails as they would go on outside of frame rails as that would give nice flat surface to work with).

I know my copy is a poor rendering of original (didn't punch all the holes for the skid plate, holes to mount to rails, holes for lights, etc) Wasn't certain how high you wanted the bumper to end up.

I was thinking of putting flanges on the rail mounts to add strength (don't know how you intend to fabricate this...)

I haven't played with strength numbers...

Let me know what ya think...

 

[BootPowerRanger]

On my '97 the stock bumper brackets attach to the inside of the frame horns, there is a nice flat spot there to attach a plate of steel to. On the outside is the "crimple zone" that "SVT" mentioned. If I remember right the inside width of the frame horns on my truck is 21" and the outside is 30" ***IF I REMEMBER RIGHT***
I was going to extend the skid plate out a little to cover the horns up.
As I was laying in bed last night (after I said my prayers) I was thinking about what SVT said about putting a 3/16" plate on that crimple zone and use that to run my bolts through I thought I'd attach those 2" square tube gussets to those plates (see left most box of "front view" in sketch) (hope that makes sense)

That sketch you have is about like what I want to build but, like you said, slight variations. It looks simple to build, I like simple.
I'm going to have a friend help stick weld this all together, I'll tack it up with my welder and have him finish everything off.

Thanks for the feed back folks.

 

[RangerSVT]

Here's my bumper build, I got about 90% done, then got put on the back burner, but you get the idea...


SVT

 

[BootPowerRanger]

Looks good, I'll have to borrow some ideas if you don't mind.

I had some time before work today so I made a mockup of the bumper out of wood, its close to scale but not exact.
I had to move the gussets from the outside to the inside and I'll be able to get them out of the steel I cut the brackets out of.
Obviously the steel tube setting on top is not the one ill use but there to give an idea of what's going on in the picture...

 

[BootPowerRanger]

Sorry, I can't figure out how to post more than one picture at a time. This is rear view.

 

[BootPowerRanger]

Front view and good shot of the gussets I had to move.

 

[RangerSVT]

Looks like a good start. Feel free to use any info/ideas you find...

SVT

 

[BootPowerRanger]

Got her tacked up. I still need to get the front skid plate but here she sets. My truck needs a lift and tires... I know...

 

[BootPowerRanger]

Closer up...