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1st gen DIY bumper write up

Discussion in 'Relentless Fabrication' started by 4banger4x4, Dec 20, 2013.

  1. Dec 20, 2013 at 3:48 PM
    #1
    4banger4x4

    4banger4x4 [OP] Probably should'nt have done that.

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    Im gonna be updating this as i go being that this might take a few days and i want to keep everything in order and be able to provide as much detail as possible.

    Sorry this is incomplete but i forgot to take pics after a certain point.

    what i will tell you is this is not for the faint of heart and i was doing it 100% by myself and trying to get everything just right while its on the truck is extremely hard by yourself, i ended up having to cut some of the side pieces down because i couldnt get the angles right on the wing plates.

    total time from sand blasting to first coat of paint was prob 10-12 hours of work

    Parts and items needed
    -1st gen DIY bumper from Relentless fab
    -17mm socket and extension
    -M12x1.25 bolts x4
    -1/2"x20 bolts and nuts x2 (only for 98-00)
    -Reciprocating Saw
    -8"-12" saw blades


    This pile of steel showed up at my house and the fun begins.
    IMG_20131217_1918071_d92b9d3f93124ec45bd1dcc09852c56e063289d6.jpg

    The first thing I did was sand blasted everything. Its not necessary but I did it beacuse I have access to it and it will make prep before painting easier.
    Before:
    20131218_164957-1_4157b75fb3e3aa361744217131fb6b08ecaa0ac2.jpg
    After:
    20131218_165738_cda235f1413fa62691e18a88947d15ccdb4f14f1.jpg

    The next thing I did was weld the fog lights up, its recommend to do it as one of the last things but I wanted to do it while it was laying on the bench.
    20131218_174620_1d73403dac5469f688dd19990f493d8870fa573c.jpg
    Im gonna try and tig as much as i can on this bumper :]
    20131218_174542_7854007131385372839389b37c5696c307d4ddc2.jpg

    Next on the list was to prep my frame, keep in mind i have a 98 so i have to cut my frame as well as my skid plate mounts and weld in new mounting plates.

    Took the frame caps off with a 17mm socket and cut the skid plate mount off. be extremely carefully cutting off the skid plate bracket if you are using a reciprocating saw, you dont wanna punch a hole in your radiator. You can see a small gap between the frame and the radiator support, that is where i aimed the end of the saw blade. I used an 8" blade for this but thats all i had and it worked perfect.
    20131220_154939_f8aacf9b2825d2d3729e709e4265f0d0d93cbf70.jpg

    I also cut the front of these things off just so it was easier to cut the frame.
    20131220_154959_3bb6b54072be71c82643bd793deb848da2fc2292.jpg

    Measure 3" back from the front and mark your line and start cutting. I used the 8" blade again but i think a 12" would have made it a lot easier to get the saw in there
    20131220_154933_a9925e6bc2befc107e3975a26110eb9b9638f2af.jpg

    Then i welded the 1/2"x20 nuts on to the back of the frame plates (98-00 Only)
    20131220_160648_5ceed24451a547ea387c47044a8a60eebf1ff224.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2014
  2. Dec 20, 2013 at 3:56 PM
    #2
    Mainmoe02

    Mainmoe02 Well-Known Member

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    Moe
    Austin, Texas
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    01 Gold tacoma SR5 TRD
    3" lift EIBACH coils w/ 5100's front, OME/ Dakar leaf springs w/ toytec adjustable shackles at 1.5" and 5125's out back. 33x10.5x15 KM2's Relentless DIY steel bumper.
    Very interested to see how this works. I'll be doing the same next week hopefully
     
  3. Dec 20, 2013 at 4:36 PM
    #3
    4banger4x4

    4banger4x4 [OP] Probably should'nt have done that.

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    hopefully i can atleast get it all tacked up tomorrow at the shop.
     
  4. Dec 20, 2013 at 4:40 PM
    #4
    BamaToy1997

    BamaToy1997 Wheel Bearing Master

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    best wheel bearings around! www.marionbumper2bumper.com
    Looking good. I will be making a thread similar to this one when I get ready to weld mine up!
     
  5. Dec 20, 2013 at 4:41 PM
    #5
    4banger4x4

    4banger4x4 [OP] Probably should'nt have done that.

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    good cause i have a feeling im going to forget some stuff
     
  6. Dec 20, 2013 at 6:27 PM
    #6
    cmj

    cmj Well-Known Member

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    Sub'd. I will be starting mine as soon as the frame end caps show up
     
  7. Dec 20, 2013 at 6:33 PM
    #7
    4banger4x4

    4banger4x4 [OP] Probably should'nt have done that.

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    youre gonna have to grind them down to make them fit and the holes in the plates are not centered so youre gonna have to make sure they are facing the right way so your bumper is centered on your truck
     
  8. Dec 20, 2013 at 6:41 PM
    #8
    cmj

    cmj Well-Known Member

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    Cool. Thanks for the heads up
     
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