DIY Fuso FG tilt bumper

[weekenderdefender]

95% done with our tilting bumper for the FG. Just need to install the winch and adjust the final mount angle slightly.

This was my first tilt bumper build. Super fun but glad it’s almost done 😁.

Usually we’d want our bumpers to be as high clearance as possible, but this truck isn’t a rock crawler and will likely stay on forest roads and do mostly highway miles.

Let me know what you guys think

 

[SkiFreak]

Is the bumper itself aluminium or steel?

 

[weekenderdefender]

It’s all steel

 

[SkiFreak]

I have the FG84, which is Australian RHD version of the FG140.
Not all of the specs between these two models are identical, but I am pretty sure the front axle capacities are the same (2600kg - 5730lbs).
For me, the weight over the front axle is always on my mind, as Fuso, in their ultimate wisdom, designed this truck with stuff all load carrying capacity up front.
My original intent was to make scrub bars and a roof rack for my truck, but even if made from aluminium, I fear that this would result in me exceeding my legal load limits on the front of the truck.

I too have a winch and bullbar on my truck, but my bar work is all aluminium; only the winch cradle is steel. Even so, this adds significant weight over the front axle.
Have you measured your weights up front with your design?

EDIT:
I should note... I have also added sound deadening, suspension seats and some other electrical accessories to my cab, all of which add to the weight over my front axle.

 

[weekenderdefender]

This bumper weighs about 100-150 lbs. Rough estimate, but me and my wife are able to easily pick it up between us without strain.

I actually made it out of 3/16” steel instead of 1/8” to add weight. With the steel rollback bed the front end feels too light.

We keep trying to get it weighed but every time the weigh station is out of order. We should get true weights real soon.

The winch is also synthetic line, so it’s pretty light as well. The first

 

[SkiFreak]

The winch is also synthetic line

So is mine, but it all adds up!

 

[gator70]

helpful

 

[SkiFreak]

I think your design looks really neat, but I would have some concerns with how you have done the recovery points on the bullbar.
As I see it, when force is applied to these they will point load around the 2 eye bolts, which hold the bullbar against the winch mount.

My setup has extended brackets off the winch mount for the recovery points. Other setups I have seen have ribs welded to the winch mount and slots in the bullbar that they pass through.
With both of these methods, the forces are transferred directly to the chassis when doing a recovery, which is considerably stronger.

 

[weekenderdefender]

These are anchor points not recovery points. The recovery points are bolted directly to the frame from the factory.

We’re not worried about any strength issues. The bumper will simply bend before the eye bolts fail if there’s too much load on the anchor points. The eye bolts are 7/8” and should easily hold.