Bored Clerk's Rear Bumper Build

Thanks, I appreciate that!

 

Just read through this whole build.. Love it!! I built a bumper for mine a year ago but it wasn't nearly as nice as I wanted for a bunch of reasons. I'm planning out now to build a steel bed (to entirely replace my stock one) and this is giving me a ton of ideas. Very well done and I can't wait to see the finish

 

Oh, that sounds like a fun project! I'd love to make a flatbed for a standard cab Tacoma wheeler. I'm glad you're finding some inspiration here. It's taking a long time but it's coming along nicely in my mind so it's worth it. A few other big projects are anxiously awaiting for this to get done so...it needs to get done! Haha.

 

Small update...critical features!



Picked this up from my laser cutter. I need to drill out the holes to, I believe, the tap drill size for an M12. I'll have to verify that and the pitch of the wheel stud. Then I'll thread the appropriate bolt in there and weld it in place.


Also picked this up. This is, as the part says, for tow chains. This will weld up to the bottom of the hitch receiver and be the spot where you hook safety chains. Will add more bracing to the whole system as well.

Yard work has been killing time and energy but we should be wrapped up by the end of the day on Saturday. Then full time bumper again!

I'll be cutting the bedsides soon. Eek!

 

Side note: I love getting all of my parts laser cut. It's not that expensive (here) and you can make any shape you want...nice radius corners...lovely.

 

Great job, man! A lot of useful information in your thread.
One day I will tackle a front & rear bumper.

 

Thanks! If there are any questions about what I'm doing or fab discussion in general, I'm happy to help, be a part of it, or sit back and learn. Feel free to ask!

 

It's the little things:


Bought 4 m12 - 1.5 x 2" bolts for my spare tire carrier. This matches the lug that's on the truck so factory lug nuts should work on my carrier. I only needed three but I bought four because I always buy at least one more than I need. These were stupid spendy though...due to the fact that nobody buys an odd metric bolt. $2.80 a piece at my neighborhood true value. At least they had them and it's a block away. Fit in my schedule nicely. I also just happened to have an m12 - 1.50 tap! The benefits of having a dad who was a machinist for many years. I also have a complete drill index with bits ranging in size from 'don't touch that, you'll break it' up to 'don't touch that, it'll break you'. So, I'm sure the proper tap drill is at hand.

 

Drilled, tapped and ready to weld. Little bits of progress as I have time and energy this week. In hindsight, I could have just not tapped the hole, used a nut to cinch the bolt down and welded the head. But, somehow...and for some reason, tapping the hole seemed right...even though I'm still going to weld the bolt head anyway.

 

A little late, but i just purchased replacement studs for the truck from o'riley's for $1.90 a piece. Doorman, but good enough for a tire carrier. Not a huge loss, but if you need more or for future builds. Love the build BTW. Following along closely from the beginning.

 

You know, I was going to get studs but...well...I didn't. Haha. I got antsy and just 'did it'. And paid for it! Oh well.

Thanks for following along! Much more progress will happen later this weekend/next week! This week was just killed with knocking out this front yard project.

 

I hear you. I've used 1/2 grade 8 bolts in previous builds of my own and never considered studs because I thought they would be much more expensive- never even thought to check. Go figure.

 

Man amazing stuff

 

Thanks! It will be even more amazing when it's done and works without falling off!

And, wait until I cut the bedsides and build the side wings! I'm excited about that. I need to cut soon...maybe Sunday.

 

You mentioned earlier that you were unsure on what to use to cut the sides. I did mine like a bunch of people have: lay out a piece of carefully measured and level painters tape as a straight edge and then follow that with a cutoff wheel on the grinder. When you're done, if the edge is rough, get some door trim from a parts store and slide that on. That'll give you a nice, straight, professional look.

 

That was going to be my approach. It's the 'follow the blue tape road' that has me worried. With the possible future plan I have with the bedside in that area, it may not matter if I cut a straight line at all so I'll just give it a go and see what happens!

 

Definitely curious to see what your plans are!!! But ya just take your time and it should come out fine.. Mine wasn't too much of a pain

 

Did some good work this morning.


I made all of these cuts. Still more cutting to do but this is all I had laid out.


Got this dude all lined up and ready for welding.



Welded up the tire mounting plate and cut/welded in a diagonal brace to keep everything happy on bumpy roads...hopefully!

Time for groceries and lunch. This afternoon I have a few other projects needing attention: ring mounts for our mini crossfit box, new ASV shorty levers for my moto, and help my dad put a new clutch slave cylinder on his KTM.

Nice to be done with the front yard project and back onto the bumper. Should see some good progress this week!

 

Subbed. Great work!

 

Thanks!