Anything welding

That's a good call, they are going to get beat to shit so I am not real concerned about appearance, but for adjusting it would for sure be easier. I did make them with one left/right thread so they can be adjusted without removal. And thanks on the bumper props, ready to get going on the front, I think I will invest in the saw discussed a few pages back to limit the amount of work with the cutoff wheel.

 

I'm trying to plan out sliders and rear bumper build, mocking things up using SketchUp and I've come to a $$ related question... I don't wanna skimp on strength for either of these obviously but I want suggestions on a minimum wall thickness. for the rear i'm thinking a simple rectangle or square box tube across the back, either 3x4" or 4x4". The "issue" comes, like I said, in thickness... I was pricing things online (haven't found a local steel supplier yet) and noticed that .25" stuff runs me between $115-165 for a 6' length v. 1/8" wall at around $80-100... I get that the second is half as thick but what I don't know is the comparative strength... suggestions?

 

If I were going to build a bumper it would be 3/16 or 1/4"

 

This, for my front in going with 3/16 and the rear is 1/4 but that's only cause I got a tube cheap. I wouldn't go 1/4 on the sliders though.

 

Any reason other than weight not to though?

 

And cost. My rear above is 1/4 on all mounting and structural parts, the rest is 10 ga, which is .1345", just a bit more than an 1/8th

 

This. I've never heard anyone complain about something being built too strong.

 

Cost, and overkill. Reason I say overkill is the cost and added weight, .125 wall sliders are heavy enough, .25 would add a significant amount of weight. Many people have. 125 wall sliders and they seem to work just fine. .1875 would be the most I would go.

My front is .1875 and mounted to the frame with 3/8 plate, rear is. 1/4 and gonna be mounted with 3/8 plate also. I highly doubt I'll ever destroy the front bumper. And my sliders are .125

 

Yeah .125 wall sliders would be fine. That's pretty much what everyone uses. I would go a little heavier on the mounting plates and also on the bumpers

 

Exactly. .124 on a bumper is really pushing it, I would prefer. 25 for the bumper cause yes there really is no overkill, but that would be one heavy ass bumper.

 

Wondering if anyone had built a taco bumper like this from channel. Also i realize the 45° in the center sketch should be 135°. I started a thread in 2nd gen but got very little input but since most everyone that views this welds thought id toss it in here. Would appreciate thoughts or pics if someone has done this.

 

I'm planning on it, but haven't really thought about how to do it interested to hear responses.

 

I think structual channel Would be kinda overkill. Formed 10 gauge Would be plenty strong as Long as you has some sturdy steel backing it.

And, to be honest, the structual channel Would Look kinda hack. Just my oponion.

 

I was there... Haha I was waiting to see at least one person who has tried it out on a tacoma.

 

Making a wood stove for the shop out of the 55gl. Drum i got for free...

 

What was in that drum before you got it?

There's some pretty horrendous videos on YouTube of people cutting into drums that haven't been evacuated/purged..

 

I was careful and rinsed out the drum even though it had no odor when I opened it. Imagine my surprise when the flame cut through the lid and the whole thing 'popped'

 

On your notches, if you want to flanges of the channel to line up right, take 22.5° out of each side. Like this \/ instead of like this \|, then when you bend the channel, things will line up better.

 

There was anti-freeze coolant in it.. my buddy had cut the top off before giving it to me, so I had to weld it back on..
Its cleaned out perty good but could use another cleaning.

 

Thanks any other tips? Ive done a little more than i would call minimal work witg metal ( built some deer stands and very little un-cosmetically appealing exhaust stuff) u got any pics of structural channel projects uve done?