Manik Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Just thought I'd post some pics and get some opinions. It's not quite done, I still have to fab up D-ring mounts and a license plate mount. I was actually thinking about moving the license plate to the spare tire carrier, any thoughts on that? Anyways, here are the pics of the rear bumper. I'll post more pics later when I get em. Bubba..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbley11 Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Do you have planes for this or just a mental picture? I would like a tow hitch combo also, when I get round to making one. And I've seen people put the plate on the carrier. You just have to place it where it won't get in the way of jerry can mounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted October 30, 2014 Author Share Posted October 30, 2014 The plans started out as a mental picture, but, I am fabing this up in my welding class, so I had to have plans. This time, I have to say that the project and the plans look the same. The only thing that I didn't allow for is the definate arch along the top inside, which will be corrected in the near future. Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialWarr Posted October 30, 2014 Share Posted October 30, 2014 Nice work! I wish I had the time and tools and space to be able to get into that kind of a project. But, alas, I am stuck with an apartment and a street instead of a house and garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyb33 Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 i like the look but i hope the hole for the hitch pin is not to close to the rest of the bumper....gonna make fastening that hitch pin clip a pain.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 i like the look but i hope the hole for the hitch pin is not to close to the rest of the bumper....gonna make fastening that hitch pin clip a pain.... Sammy, its all good, been tested and will be just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubbley11 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Do you have photo from the back end of the bumper? Would like to see how to reinforced the thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Do you have photo from the back end of the bumper? Would like to see how to reinforced the thing I sure don't. The top is 3" channel the face is 3/16 plate and there's a lot of 2"x .25" angle. It's pretty darn stout. I'll try and gets some later, but, I haven't finished reinforcing it completely yet. Just most of the structure and cosmetics are done. Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 why not make the hole for the hitch flush with the surface, since you are making the bumper anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 12, 2014 Author Share Posted November 12, 2014 why not make the hole for the hitch flush with the surface, since you are making the bumper anyway.[/quote Not sure what you mean exactly, but, here's what's going on now. I have two d-ring shackle mounts that I've made out of 3/4" plate. These will get welded on tonight. They will be welded around the perimeter as well as holes drilled in the bumper in two places and rosette welded from the inside of the bumper. I will post more pics once this has been completed. Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahardb0dy Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) I meant instead of the receiver sticking out from the face of the bumper. Edited November 12, 2014 by ahardb0dy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 I meant instead of the receiver sticking out from the face of the bumper. Ok, gotcha. So flush mounted to the face. I'm with ya now. The issue with that is the receiver would be very close to the fuel tank, therefore, not good. Here are some more pics of the build. http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/12/eff98d621dd2331620b45e94be10fbcb.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/12/7a76993a1638fdfdcd114dbe1e2e0361.jpg Pretty self explanitory, but, still not 100% complete. Most of the fab is done aside from final cosmetics and fitment. Bubba..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 13, 2014 Author Share Posted November 13, 2014 Nice work! I wish I had the time and tools and space to be able to get into that kind of a project. But, alas, I am stuck with an apartment and a street instead of a house and garage. I am actually building this in a night welding class that I am taking at a local community college. I do have a garage and some of the equipment, but, needed a project for class and this seemed to be a good fit considering my garage is packed with stuff. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 Quick update.... Tonight in class I fab'd the following bumper mounts: They're not getting welded in tonight. I still need to get the bolt pattern off of the frame. I think what I am going to do is get them drilled, take the bumper home, fit it, tack it together with my tiny 110 buzz box and bring it back to class for final welding. I'm getting close!! Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nefarious Posted November 18, 2014 Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) Just a quick comment, love the work; but I would add some extra reinforcements to the rear bumper mounting system if i were you. The bolt on hidden hitch for a pathfinder is exactly what I'm going to copy as a reinforcement method. The rear frame tapers down to a c channel rear section which is quit weak when coupled with a heavy rear bumper with integrated tow hitch (ask me how I know). I am going to add some reinforced side to side trusses integrated into my rear bumper brackets to combat this issue. Seeing and feeling the trailer bounce just because of weak rear frame points is disconcerting if you plan to actually tow with your rig! Edited November 18, 2014 by Nefarious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 18, 2014 Author Share Posted November 18, 2014 (edited) Just a quick comment, love the work; but I would add some extra reinforcements to the rear bumper mounting system if i were you. The bolt on hidden hitch for a pathfinder is exactly what I'm going to copy as a reinforcement method. The rear frame tapers down to a c channel rear section which is quit weak when coupled with a heavy rear bumper with integrated tow hitch (ask me how I know). I am going to add some reinforced side to side trusses integrated into my rear bumper brackets to combat this issue. Seeing and feeling the trailer bounce just because of weak rear frame points is disconcerting if you plan to actually tow with your rig!I completely agree Nef. That's why the last pics will actually b the mounting brackets. They're 3/16 plate and will be gusseted and reinforced once welded to the bumper after drilling and fitment is addressed. Bubba..... Edited November 18, 2014 by Manik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted November 29, 2014 Author Share Posted November 29, 2014 Ok guys here's my rear bumper. Not mounted permanently yet. I will tack weld it here and final welding and bracing will be done at school. If you'll notice the little white strip under the hitch, that's the license plate. I haven't moved/removed it yet. I knew there was going to be a gap between the body and bumper, but didn't realize it was going to be 3-4 inches wide :-/. That'll be corrected at a later date. Bubba..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamba Posted November 30, 2014 Share Posted November 30, 2014 Looks good, very good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 Got in class a bit early to take care of the final fitment and final welding. Instructor had to take a break between classes, so, gave me a chance for a status update. Damn it's gonna be sweet!! LOL!! ::thumbs up:: Bubba..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted December 2, 2014 Author Share Posted December 2, 2014 Ok. I've got the mounting brackets shortened 2 inches and notched the top channel to set the bumper back closer to the body. Today it received a liberal coat of rustoleum rattle can black at work in our paint booth. The paints still curing at work so I'll upload pics of it tomorrow morning. Bubba..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted December 3, 2014 Author Share Posted December 3, 2014 Here ya go. Next it'll be on the truck.. Going to cut a couple of plates tonight to "sandwich" the frame rail just for some extra rigidity. Bubba..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted December 3, 2014 Author Share Posted December 3, 2014 I didn't realize that the frame was so thin at the mount ... Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 Well, I will get it mounted tomorrow. The spare tire carrier on my WD has been bent it, about 1/4" from the body and the lower hinge was rusted almost solid. Took that to work, ground off the swedged end, knocked the pin out, cleaned the hinge out and made it work like new again. Straightened it out in class on our beast of a welding table and got it ready for reinstall. More to come tomorrow evening. Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 Ok, I've got it bolted up. Tightened it up to the body by taking the 2 inches off the brackets. The front is next, in time, it'll get done. Bubba..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manik Posted December 5, 2014 Author Share Posted December 5, 2014 Spare tire rack to be reinstalled probably Saturday and then figure out the license plate mount issue. I know it'll be on the rack, just haven't figured out the best way yet. Bubba..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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