Zuba987’s DIY high clearance rear bumper

Decided to built myself a high clearance rear bumper for my taco! It's a project. Wayyyy cheaper than buying one. So far everything has costed me less than $225 + labor.


Not done yet (obviously) I will be adding pics as I work on it some more but figured I'd share with with some people.

 

Looks great! A 4xinnovations style like this is the best looking to me. Did you consider mounting the hitch in the tube itself to gain the clearance ?

 

Yes I did consider it however I do pull a trailer every once in a while, and with the hitch in the tube it would just be too high for my liking. Also the pre built receiver is already set up nice for the safety chains. I was willing to sacrifice a few inches of clearance for those reasons lol

 

Either way it looks great, I'm anxious to see how you finish it out (the tops of the wings and where they meet the tube). I love to see people taking on these diys it give me motivation lol.

 

Thanks! At first I was a little skeptical of building it since I don't have a whole lot of fabrications skills but realistically, its pretty simple and straight forward if you make sure everything gets done right the first time.... like the hc bed cut

 

That looks really nice! Good job.

 

Looks good!

 

I am right there with you. I refuse to pay $1000 for a bumper. Could you give some measurements on each piece or is that asking too much?

 

Sure, I started put with a 4x4 tube with 3/16 wall, cut it to the length of the tailgate. And used 1/4 plate for horizontal and vertical mounts to the frame. I utilized the factory bumper and hitch holes and bolts. total of 5 bolts in each side. Everything else I used 3/16 plate. Aprox 30" long for the armor plates. Also the gussets used to strengthen the High clearance plates is 1.5" tube with 1/4 wall. If you want any specific measurements beyond that feel free to ask. FYI I'm not done the full bumper yet so I haven't figured out the measurements for little corners and stuff

 

I also plan to go with the 4"x4" 1/4 inch thick square tubing. Just a little overkill. I am getting an exact cut at 52.5" long for 74$. This is the width of the tailgate. My next step is to measure and design the 1/4" plates that will attach to my frame. I want them to poke through the 4x4 so I can attach license plate lighting on the inner edges of each plate as well as strengthening the bumper. Then I will make side plate and gussets just like you did. I wonder if I could use angled steel to make the mounting plates so that I can utilize the vertical and horizontal bolt locations...

 

I would totally recommend using both bolt locations. I know some people just use the vertical but personally if I was gonna take the time to build a bumper might as well make it as strong as I can while I have the chance. I guess a downside to that would be if I was to get in a wreak having so many bolt locations might cause the frame to bend. I'm willing to take my chances lol

 

Can't wait to see the end result.

 

Yeah I am going to go with angled steel 1/4 inch thick. I just have to get all the measurements correct. Could you tell me A,B,C and D measurements in inches? I really appreciate it!

 

Pretty brave to cut into the truck without a finished bumper to put on it. Looking good so far.

 

Well I sorta needed to cut first in order to get the measurements. Ive never actually had a chance to check one of these bumpers out in person. Going off internet pics and people who have also built one of these themselves just wasn't enough

 

Which pieces are you referencing?

 

Looks great so far!

 

Are those D-ring tabs just surface welded to the box tube? If so I wouldnt trust pulling from them. They should be long enough to be through-welded so they cant simply 'peel' off