Front/Rear Bumper Mounting Positions

Hey Guys,

Thinking about fabricating my own front/rear bumpers and some sliders once I get a welder. Some questions I have are the mounting positions for each (front, back, and sliders). Also, what type and thickness steel to use? I assume 1/2" grade 8 bolts at the mounting locations? Also if anybody has any tricks on how to set my angles while welding it all up that would be awesome too. I know thats alot of questions, but it would be much appreciated if people could drop some knowledge on me!

Thanks!

 

build it out of cardboard first! 3/16" steel is what most are made of, just cut holes and use the stock mounting bolts and locations.

 

Awesome! Was thinking of mocking it up first with cardboard to get design where I want it. As for the stock mounting locations.. Will that become very apparent to me when taking the bumper off? Do you take the aluminum crush bar or whatever that thing is and use the mounting locations for that? Also the big question is do I go full plate steel or should I go hybrid??

 

Yes, when you take the crash bar off you will see 3 mounting points on each side that attach to the end of your frame, that is where you will want to attach your new bumper. The hybrid / plate is up to you, that is going to be all personal preference. But if you want to save some weight, the hybrid maybe the way to go. Or if you can weld aluminum.....

 

The questions you are asking make me think you are in over your head.

 

I just like to overthink things... Definitely capable

 

Read read read and then read some more, FJ80 builds Tacoma Builds 4Runner builds Jeep builds, get as much info and inspiration as you can here and wherever you can find it, look up already made bumpers for your truck to get an idea of where weight is saved and strength is made. Make a bunch of carboard mockups measure twice twice and cut once once.

As for welding practice makes progress. Have you welded before? MIG TIG or Stick? I'd imagine most bumpers are sticked or mig'ed.

 

For sure! I have welded before. Pretty good at MIG, hate stick but can do it, and have never tried TIG. Id like to go aluminum though, so TIG would be best for that. We will see. In the mean time I will be researching and drawing up and mocking up designs!

 

If you make a thread for it let me know, I'm in the planning stages of my own bumper build and would like to follow along.