Bad news is the crash, good news is cash

A few details about the rear bumper:

1) I'm starting with a 6" x 6" x 0.1875 wall hot rolled tube.

2) I bought an 8' stick and after all of the damage was done, the tube cost $260.

3) I decided to go with a tube because I'm only making one bumper and building fixtures for one bumper would have increased my cost and build time substantially. By starting with already square tubing, I'm a step or two ahead. We are being strategic on what we cut out, to prevent any rolling or warping as we remove material.

4) I like the look of the Relentless bumpers. The multi-faceted look has a certain appeal to me. My bumper is going to be similar, but different. I definitely wanted a full depth step at the license plate. I also wanted to be able to reuse the factory license plate lights.

5) When finished with fabbing, the plan is to have it powder coated to match the same texture and finish as my ARB.

I guess that's all for now.

 

Because of the wreck, my brush guard was pushed back into my driver's side headlight ever so slightly. However, it was enough to break one of the little plastic adjustment clips. Believe it or not, Toyota only sells the entire assembly. No way was I going to pay $150 for a stupid clip.

I bought another set of lights off of a TW member. His had some fade on the lights, so I buffed out the driver's side light and was ready to put it in.



Oh, nothing is ever simple. Of course the grill has to come out to install the headlight. I was hoping there was enough gap between the grill and my ARB to slip the grill out without having to unbolt and slide the ARB out. Yeah, not so lucky.

While the grill was out, I changed the light and buffed the passenger side light.



Tonight I decided to install the extended cab hinge clips. Took about 5 minutes per side.

How to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80KBuGY9Qs4

Link to buy: http://dasherdeals.ecrater.com/

He also has an eBay page.

 

Nice build, Truck looks great!

 

Thanks. I can't wait till the rear bumper is done.

 

Update on bumper:

 

bumper looks good man!!

how is traffic up by you with 75 south cone(literally slid off the mountain) think we may have a meet at royal blue this summer.

 

Traffic sucks! They have all of the red lights flashing so it is nearly impossible to maneuver around town.

Let me know.

 

thats what i figured. lol. they said i think september before it’s fixed. i’m going to say next year before it’s right.

and will do.

 

I think they need to build a bridge.

Check out the pics if you havent seen it:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/may/12/aerial-photos-show-huge-gash-in-campbell-county/

 

yeah i saw the pic. lol and yeah a bridge maybe the best and fastest.

is your truck at fox today? looked like your truck no rear bumper and looks like A/T’s or M/T tires. took a pic. would have got out but did not want to get wet. lol

 

Yep.

Had it aligned....again. It finally settled, so I tweaked it again about three weeks ago. It hasn't moved since then. I'm hoping I'm done.

 

sweet! i had to take mom back down the scion’s check engine light came on the other day and they wear looking at it.

and time you down their look for me. usually have them do my oil and stuff. not much cheaper to do it my self, and trust them. not that i can’t do it my self or anything.

edit: does not even take me 5 min to drive down there.

 

Bumper still progressing. Left to do:

1) Round off corners on outside of bumper
2) Add bottom plates
3) Add mounting plates
4) Add in license plate well
5) Finish welding/grinding
6) Get powder coated

 

looking good man!

 

I knew the ball on the hitch was good for something LOL

Looking good!

 

i was thinking the same thing. also OP what you tow that is so low? what drop bar is that a 6”?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...-news-crash-good-news-cash-3.html#post4796479

 

Thanks!

 

That rear bumper is lookin sweet!

Nice truck

 

oh nice! go out on Norris a lot? i have not fished on the lake in years. mostly trout fish the clinch. i tow the ATV trailer. me and my friend are taking the rhino to blue some time next week, maybe a few days.