ANOTHER Guy With A Gen 2.5 Build - Sure, why Not? It's My First!
- Thread starter KIRK!
- Start date
KIRK!
Amateur Philosopher
Thanks. I'm OK at best. Nothing fancy, but it should do the job.
KIRK!
Amateur Philosopher
Baby steps. Had today off and had a little time free to work on the rear bumper. I didn't like how the ends were looking where they ended at the rockers so I decided to shape them to follow the curve better. I cut the ends off and angled them out more so the tops ended up even with the rockers. Then I cut off the corners. At first I was going to make pieces to fill the triangle opening, but realized that using the piece I'd just cut out was the simplest solution. Just a little trimming and the fit back in nicely. I got them tacked in for now and they should weld up nicely. Now the ends look better next to the body.
I also picked up the steel for the top plate today. Hopefully I will get that done this coming weekend.
I also picked up the steel for the top plate today. Hopefully I will get that done this coming weekend.
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off-roader
Expedition Leader
Dude, thats looking very nice!
KIRK!
Amateur Philosopher
Thanks. This coming weekend I should be able to finish the top. I'm also thinking about putting the stock reverse lights in it.
I was going to mount the Hi-Lift across the rear bumper, but it will either hang too far below or stick too high above, so I'll be making a mount for it on the spare tire.
I was going to mount the Hi-Lift across the rear bumper, but it will either hang too far below or stick too high above, so I'll be making a mount for it on the spare tire.
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off-roader
Expedition Leader
If you don't want to fit the OE reverse light you can buy OEM tail lights from Europe with the integrated reverse lights. They work with the stock wiring harness. It's what I did.
Here's a pic of the lights.. I bought them from abs24shop on ebay for under a hundred for the pair.
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WorldTraveler
Observer
It's coming along great. I need to find time to get some work done. I have the material. Just haven't made the time! :Wow1:
SoCalMonty
Explorer
Sounds like a fun project!
I had a semi-related question about bumpers. I know I'm gonna have to do something about mine...as they hand a bit low after the body lift. And in the front, I've got the brush guard, so they will block the headlights a little bit (it's not all the way on in the picture because of my body damage - the pass fender sticks out too far to the right and you can't put the bumper on all the way yet).
So, I was thinking about a "minimalist" bumper. I don't have a lot to spend on materials, and I don't want a 100-lb weight over the front axle as it reduces ride height and pack weight.
The basic concept I was imagining was almost as simple as removing the stock bumper, cutting a bumper-shaped sheet of 1/4" plate with holes in the plate to slide over the stock frame rail/bumper brackets, and welding it directly to the brackets. I could then find a way to tie in to the frame rails/brackets for a snatch point and shackle mount.
Or...for that matter...should I just modify the stock brackets to offset the 1" lift, and cut-down the stock bumper to a slimmer profile?
It doesn't *have* to be that spartan, but this was the "minimalist" approach that got me thinking. It would be low-profile, it would count as a "bumper" so I wouldn't get pulled over for not having a bumper, and it would be light-weight.
My only worry is...in the event of an impact, less mass on the bumper means more energy sent through the frame rails. Though, in a frontal impact, I can't see the thin stock bumper providing much (if any) crush protection. It's just some thin horizontal steel.
What do you guys think of a minimalist approach? I'd love some thoughts/ideas to draw out!
I had a semi-related question about bumpers. I know I'm gonna have to do something about mine...as they hand a bit low after the body lift. And in the front, I've got the brush guard, so they will block the headlights a little bit (it's not all the way on in the picture because of my body damage - the pass fender sticks out too far to the right and you can't put the bumper on all the way yet).
So, I was thinking about a "minimalist" bumper. I don't have a lot to spend on materials, and I don't want a 100-lb weight over the front axle as it reduces ride height and pack weight.
The basic concept I was imagining was almost as simple as removing the stock bumper, cutting a bumper-shaped sheet of 1/4" plate with holes in the plate to slide over the stock frame rail/bumper brackets, and welding it directly to the brackets. I could then find a way to tie in to the frame rails/brackets for a snatch point and shackle mount.
Or...for that matter...should I just modify the stock brackets to offset the 1" lift, and cut-down the stock bumper to a slimmer profile?
It doesn't *have* to be that spartan, but this was the "minimalist" approach that got me thinking. It would be low-profile, it would count as a "bumper" so I wouldn't get pulled over for not having a bumper, and it would be light-weight.
My only worry is...in the event of an impact, less mass on the bumper means more energy sent through the frame rails. Though, in a frontal impact, I can't see the thin stock bumper providing much (if any) crush protection. It's just some thin horizontal steel.
What do you guys think of a minimalist approach? I'd love some thoughts/ideas to draw out!
Sabre
Overlanding Nurse
I'm with you; the heavy stuff is built hell-for-stout but it's just a ton of weight that the vehicle doesn't need. Cutting down the OEM bumper would be an interesting place to start. There are a lot of examples of minimal bumpers, whether tube or plate, that allow for proper recovery points, winch mounting, etc.
If I were expecting to occasionally run into a kangaroo or steer at highway speed I'd go with the heavy iron. I'm not, and will likely end up with a minimal mod of the OEM bumper to accept a winch and recovery points.
If I were expecting to occasionally run into a kangaroo or steer at highway speed I'd go with the heavy iron. I'm not, and will likely end up with a minimal mod of the OEM bumper to accept a winch and recovery points.
SoCalMonty
Explorer
That's fantastic!
Are you going to cut off the provisions hanging below the bumper for better clearance on angle? And what would the cost of materials be for something like that...I have no idea what steel costs! Is that 3/16" or 1/4"?
Are you going to cut off the provisions hanging below the bumper for better clearance on angle? And what would the cost of materials be for something like that...I have no idea what steel costs! Is that 3/16" or 1/4"?
KIRK!
Amateur Philosopher
Yes, I will be trimming off as much of the old mounting surfaces as I can.
It's all 3/16", the plate and the tubing walls. I already had the tubing from a project a couple uears ago, so I'm not sure of the price. The plate cost me $18. I'd guess the total is around $60-$75.
It's all 3/16", the plate and the tubing walls. I already had the tubing from a project a couple uears ago, so I'm not sure of the price. The plate cost me $18. I'd guess the total is around $60-$75.