2nd Gen Winch Bumper BUILD (Pic Heavy)

[tweeek]

I started building a winch bumper a little while ago. I didnt think about starting to take pictures until after the winch basket was built, but Ill try to document the rest if anyone is interested. The which shelf, front face and supporting gussets are all 1/4 and the "skin" is 10 guage (a country hair over 1/8)

I definitely dont have a fully stocked shop. Everything is painfully cut with cutoffwheels and angle grinder. I dont have a drill press either, so all the holes are cut with a hand drill and alot of patience. 1/4 is difficult to work with without the proper equipment lol but very doable in your home garage.

Started with a the rough idea mocked up in cardboard

I had a machine shop bend the winch holder into shape since I most definitely dont have a 1/4 brake. I didnt take any more pics until I started cutting the fairlead holes. 2 1/4 holesaw vs 1/4 steel = much patience needed lol

Measuring and cutting other holes in front face

ANGRY MONKEY!!!

Starting on the skid

Welding the skid

Welding the top

This is as far as I have gotten now.... ill work on it some more tomorrow and update. Would love to hear your thoughts

 

[washington taco]

Looking VERY nice!!! Keep it coming.

 

[madrock05]

That's looks awesome so far! Good job.

 

[tweeek]

I was heading out on a trip that got delayed for a couple days. I wired my winch and relocated the solonoid under the hood. I have it mounted ontop of the fuse panel for now, until I have time to fabricate a braket. I can still open the fuse block if necessary.

Then I got out some cardboard and started mocking up the wings for the bumper

I took it apart and will cut out the other side and weld it tomorrow.

 

[tweeek]

All cut ready to go

Tacked

Found this on my roof. Why do cats love cardboard so much?

Welding

After a loooooot of grinding, getting a degreaser bath in the sun

Some primer

Some bed liner

Winch installation

All done, minus the sides. Ill get to that when we get back from our trip. We are going 4x4 camping in the Caribou/Chilcotin in Bc.

Monkey Face, no longer evil! Lol. I think I'll call him George.

Yup after all that work my license plate is zap strapped on lol o literally ran out of time though, I worked until the minute. Ill mount it nicely in a couple weeks.

 

[tweeek]

And finally got a little dirt on it in the Caribo

 

[seanpistol]

looks awesome! nice job

 

[shack]

really nicely done!

 

[Mrknowitall]

Job well done- great display of what can be done with very basic tools, skill, and a LOT of patience. Very nice looking welds, too. To that end- anyone who doesn't weld as well (myself included), shouldn't be discouraged. You could still do a project like this. Just tack everything together- a cheap wire welder would do that job. Then, with all the parts fit nicely, have someone burn the whole thing home.

 

[soonenough]

Really impressive work with a pretty basic set of tools. I would've never guessed that was a home-made bumper....nice job :sombrero:

 

[Wildcat]

VERY NICE! Thanks or sharing!

 

[CYi5]

Saving money while taking pride in your work make home fabbing the best ! Well executed!!

 

[tweeek]

Well finally got motivated to finish this project. I needed a bumper for our trip so I painted it without finishing the sides. Bumper worked great for the trip, so I slathered paint stripper all over it and got back to work.

What's left of my 4x4 sheet of 10 gauge. More than I expected

 

[SixLug]

Hell, even with a whole shop full of fancy tools, that would still be a nice bumper. Excellent design and craftsmanship. Looks awesome.

 

[cmj]

Awesome build. Looks really good!

Couple of questions - do you know what the whole thing weighs? 10 vs 11ga? Could you get away with 11 or is 10 the way to go?

thanks