Michigan Tacomas

Its good to build for your likes/ needs. I actually like plate bumper better but decided against because of the weight. My rear is actually the plate design I was going to build just ended up making it out of square tube to save weight.

That will look sweet. I can help out with the fabrication building if you would like. I also have some of the parts / tabs needed already.

Just make sure you are getting enough airflow to the radiator. Maybe a few slots were the radiator is behind the bumper ( always a good idea).

 

I see Tacomas all over the place up here in Sault Ste. Marie and Brimely .both first and second gens its a fairly popular truck up here in the UP

 

Maybe i'll cut teeth-shaped vents for airflow... no that'd be way too cheesy

Question: is having just the corner markers enough to be legal turn signal wise? or do I need to somehow preserve the lights in the oem bumper?

The plates, since they are more for shielding not armoring, I think I will use sheet metal enough to cover but not thick enough to really stop much. The frame will be the guard, not the plates.

*edit* also, any recommendations on best mounting points for d-ring holes?

 

Just relocating the turn signal in the corner light is legal. I did that but I also run the LEDS under the headlight to ensure people see them.

D rings sould be as close to the frame mounts as possible. Also best to have them attached to morethan a surface weld.

Do you have a tubing bender? If not it may be easier to just build a plate bumper. Just use heavier gauge steel between the frame rails than the outside and it will keep your weight down.

For vents just make a couple strategically placed holes. Dont need to be that big, or you can slot it for a winch fairlead later.

The options are endless. You are building it so make it exactly what you want. You will like it much more and the learning experience is priceless.

 

I do have access to a tube bender

any more details on how to mount d-ring beyond surface welds?

 

Cutting a hole big enough for your mount to fit into the plate then welding the back of your mount to the bumper and the front. Known in my book as a plug weld!

 

Dont use bed tie downs for D-ring, or at least that what it looks like in the pic. My bumpers have a piece of 120 wall 1.25 DOM tubing mounted into a piece of plate. I also have some old Allpro greasable shackles I have cut up and used the ends for the same purpose (have more laying around). A lot of companies make weld on tabs also.

Ill post a few examples when I find them.

 

No no, not doing tie-downs just looks that way cuz i didn't feel like messing with it lol

I know where I can get tank armor plating, maybe ill use that for them

 

I wish I had your truck so much. I'm hoping to be able to find one in the future and start over!

 

That should definetly work. To bad you arent closer I have all kinds leftovers from my different projects laying around until I clean the garage.

 

what would you do differently? any recommendations?

if i asked this sry for the redundancy: where exactly are you?

 

Preferably save up for a very nice mid-travel setup, then get some new fenders and bedsides. Basically end up what one of these guys did, except with plate bumpers and more aggressive mud tires.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/138220-jasons-long-travel-toy-taco.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/182552-coles-tacoma.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/168727-taco-me-elmo-2002-black-black-build-thread.html



The main reason for me wanting a 01-04 tacoma is because they're my favorite year models, plus after I had my wreck, mine just isn't the same anymore. Almost like it's falling apart.

 

Jay
I am almost 2 hours south of you in stevensville. People actualy know st joe same dif.

 

Chris what size steel is ur front bumper? I am thinking of going with 1 1/4 inside diameter round steel. thoughts?

 

Do you only have pipe dies for the bender? My bumper is 120 wall 1.75 DOM tubing. Tubing is measured OD not ID.

 

Hmm, no I'll be getting the piping from Porter Steel in Muskegon. Apparently they measure it in ID, so OD would be more in the 1.75 range. They will do the bending, 95 degree bend over 3.5inches (so not sure what dies they are using). Then all I will be doing is the fishmouthing/welding/mounting/painting etc.

OH BTW: this is the rear bumper I am working on first since my stock one is bent, so might as well start with it. Once I get it done I'll be moving to the front.

 

Do you have a drawing of what your plans are?

Some people will give you a hard time for using pipe not tubing. just make sure u have at least a 120 wall thickness. Difference between pipe and tubing is how its measured, pipe is ID measurement and tubing is OD.

 

I have several different drawings and now one with dimensions. When I get a minute ill try to get one thrown up here.

Basically what I think I will do is design the tube bumper, and seperately design d-ring retrieval points which will be separately attached to the frame there it meets the bumper. That way I can build the bumper to only have to take impact from one direction

question: as far as i can see I wont need to remove my tow hitch/assembly for the new bumper. Is this right or am I missing something? (IE the stock bumper is in no way connected to the tow hitch?)

 

The bumper isn't attached to the hitch. You can just take the bumper off and retain the hitch.

 

I agree, not many Tacos around.