hitech_hick
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2007
- Messages
- 212
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- Age
- 41
- Location
- Madtown, USA
- Transmission
- Automatic
I wish that I had taken a few more pictures during the build process, hopefully from the pictures I can describe what I did. I started out by removing the factory bumper and cutting the bumper mounts flush to the frame. I then took 3/8th plate and cut it into two "L" shaped pieces roughly 18"x12"x6". I took a piece of 6"x6" square tube 1/4" wall and 6' long, and cut a section approximately 2 feet long. I then welded this between the two "L" pieces. I drilled holes through the "L"'s and the truck frame, and I then bolted it together. I set my saw (chop saw, although a band saw would work much better) at around 20* (might have been slightly less) and cut two more sections of square tube that I used to make "wings" for the bumper. I then capped off the ends with some diamond plate that I had laying around.
For tow hooks, I cut two small sections of 3/8th plate and welded them over top of the existing 3/8th plate to make a 3/4th inch think mounting surface for my tow hooks.
Next onto the hard part, turning it into a winch bumper. I cut the top out, and part of the back so that the winch could sit down inside. I then took the piece that I cut off and welded it onto the underside so that the winch would be bolted down to 1/2 inch plate. I cut open a spot for the cable to go through, then bolted on the fairlead. I dropped in the winch, wired it up, and I was good to go.
If I were to do it again, I would do it a little differently. I would make the spot where the winch rest a little bigger, as it is I only have about 1/32th inch clearance. I would do the blinkers a little differently, they work alright, but are not the best. I probably could have gotten a better price on steel if I had shopped around a little (bought remnants) as it was I have about $200 in the bumper ($150 in steel, $50 for tow hooks, paint, and other supplies). I would also do something different with the paint, I put on 3 or 4 coats of primer plus 2 coats of paint, and I am still getting surface rust 6 months after making the bumper (gotta love Wisconsin).
hick
For tow hooks, I cut two small sections of 3/8th plate and welded them over top of the existing 3/8th plate to make a 3/4th inch think mounting surface for my tow hooks.
Next onto the hard part, turning it into a winch bumper. I cut the top out, and part of the back so that the winch could sit down inside. I then took the piece that I cut off and welded it onto the underside so that the winch would be bolted down to 1/2 inch plate. I cut open a spot for the cable to go through, then bolted on the fairlead. I dropped in the winch, wired it up, and I was good to go.
If I were to do it again, I would do it a little differently. I would make the spot where the winch rest a little bigger, as it is I only have about 1/32th inch clearance. I would do the blinkers a little differently, they work alright, but are not the best. I probably could have gotten a better price on steel if I had shopped around a little (bought remnants) as it was I have about $200 in the bumper ($150 in steel, $50 for tow hooks, paint, and other supplies). I would also do something different with the paint, I put on 3 or 4 coats of primer plus 2 coats of paint, and I am still getting surface rust 6 months after making the bumper (gotta love Wisconsin).
hick