GrimGreg Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 look at my sig for the one i made. i'm planning on making a rear bumper of siniliar lines with an inegrated hitch out of 6" c-channel. i have it all drawn up, but its on the computer at school. Belive me, you don't want 6" C, at least not like the one I started to build. Got it cut to length and ditched that idea. Of course I was using 1/4" thick C, nearly 1/2" in the corners . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spolar93 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 whats so bad about it? what design were you trying to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 It's HEAVY, for one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrimGreg Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 It's HEAVY, for one... :contract: VERY HEAVY! I set it in the cargo area and the truck dropped at least an inch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spolar93 Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 (edited) haha ok, throwing that out the window..... heres the new design. probably gonna turn it into an air tank as well, put alittle less strain on the compressor. 2"x4"x.25", incorporated hitch for light use, air tank, yada yada yada... Edited March 20, 2006 by Spolar93 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Being a form follows function engineering type, my answer is simple: Whichever will be LIGHTEST and still meet your protection needs! When I finally get around to building mine, it will likely be the plate metal style, with varying thicknesses of metal to minimize weight as much as possible. Hanging weight out beyond the axles is one of the worst places to do so. So rather than make it totally indestructible, I will make it not breakable, but not invincible. And when the "once in every 10 years" REALLY BIG WHACK happens and bends the thinner steel, I'll just fix it. I'd rather fix it every few years than lug all that weight around all the time. Weight = loss of handling AND fuel economy. I avoid what I can. I'm also considering a "framework" of sub-2" (like 1.25 or 1.5") square tube with 1/8" walls (well, more likely 3/16" wall on the bottom jacking edge) square tube covered with 14 or 16 ga skin "tacked" on. And a couple beefed up hard points for attaching shackles and a winch. The hell for stout frame will provide protection at minimal weight. The skin will make it look smooth and clean and can be easily replaced when it gets so dinged/whacked up I can't stand how it looks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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