DIY ARB style Recovery point?

I don't know if this is the best place to post this but I was wondering if anyone has made their own ARB style recovery point? (this one https://turn5.scene7.com/is/image/Turn5/TT5842_alt10?wid=810&hei=608&op_usm=0.8,1,10,0 )

Are these made in any special way that would make it dangerous to go the DIY route?

 

Why not just buy it?

 

I was just curious if anyone had made one before and if it was cheaper to make it or to buy it.

 

I think many just go the aftermarket bumper route (with recovery points) since they tie into the frame already, especially if a bumper is just several hundreds more.

Some people still fab up their own bumpers for 3rd Gens, but I only see that often with rears since you guys have a ton of front options.

But *generally speaking* many have fabbed up their own recovery points in the form of something smaller than a full bumper like a winch plate or something.

 

As for "cheaper to make it" all depends on who you ask.

For me? Would be really cheap and easy.

For you? I can't answer that since I don't know what tools, knowledge, or skillset you possess.

 

The ARB recovery point is 5/8" or 3/4" thick steel plate, of unknown alloy type. (Maybe mild steel? Maybe something stronger?)

If you have a plasma cutter or water jet & can trace out the parts, and a 225+ amp welder, and the confidence to weld multiple pieces of 3/4" plate together, theoretically you could fab up a copy. If your welds are good they might hold the 18,000 lb load the ARB is rated for...

 

Oh yeah I probably should have clarified that part. I used to work at a fabrication shop and the owner still lets me come by to work on personal projects. Anything I can't figure out on my own, I know I can get someone to help me out. I searched the forum to see if anyone had experience with making something like this and when I didn't see anything come up I was just wondering if it was dangerous or something if no one else had already made a DIY version.

 

Oh man, if you worked at a fab shop then why are you even posting here

You could've knocked this out faster than waiting for answers

 

If you copy all the dimensions & curves exactly, to within say ... maybe 25-50 mils tolerance.. and your welds are all as clean, fully penetrated, and in the same places as the ARB part.. then you've basically made the ARB part.

The cost of that part isn't really in the fabbing so much as the design, engineering, and testing. ARB's done all that, now they're just turning fat profits of probably >$200 per piece they sell...

 

@RudimentaryEli How'd the part come out?

 

Lol I haven't made it yet, I'm working on rock sliders first.