Tacoma rear bumper fabrication.

[p1michaud]

Hinges and such...

I am torn between the Iron Pig setup and your rocklogic. Now that you have it on what do you think of it?

The other thing that is keepig me up at night is how you cut the steel to mount it flush with the hinge? Did you use something special or just take your time outlining it and get out the old 4" grinder? Also your hole saw cut for the hinge, did this require a better than average hole saw, or did it just take some time? thanks much

For the hinge it all depends on how much weight you plan on having on it. IMO, the rocklogic hinge can handle 100-125lbs no problem in the long run (i.e. spare 33" tire with Hi-Lift jack, 2 full fuel cans plus holders, etc...). If you are going to load up your swing out bumper with more items I'd consider using two Barrel Hinges similar to what Demello has on their swing out tire carriers. See this post from Mark's DC Tacoma thread. A friend from our local 4WD club has a hinge with bushings and it's worn down now. He's replacing it with the rocklogic unit after seeing my set up.

For most of my cutting I used a 4 1/2" angle grinder and Walter Zip Cut off wheels (the quality cutting wheels are key). I did use a chop saw for a few cuts.

For all of my hole saw work I purchased top quality hole saws between $15 to $35 depending on size. Again, quality tools will make this much easier.

The other thing that is keepig me up at night is how you cut the steel to mount it flush with the hinge?

Could you elaborate a bit more on this, not quite sure what you are asking.

p1michaud this is a great bumper build. Lots of great pics and tech. Some of the ideas that you used have helped me figure out some of the hard spots in my own bumper build. I hope you don't mind that I am going to use some of them. Like I said, great work.:clapsmile

Thanks for the compliments, much appreciated. By all means if this build up inspired you use the ideas and post up as you progress!

Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[Arivalsend]

Great information P! When I was asking about the hinge welds I was refering to the shaping on the 2x2 cross bar that is welded and gusseted to your hinge. The hinge body is round and I was just wondering was it hard to get the square stock to mate up with the round hinge assembly? I will be sure to post some pictures up once this project gets off the ground. Your post is a big help though.

 

[p1michaud]

Angle grinder and some patience.

Great information P! When I was asking about the hinge welds I was refering to the shaping on the 2x2 cross bar that is welded and gusseted to your hinge. The hinge body is round and I was just wondering was it hard to get the square stock to mate up with the round hinge assembly? I will be sure to post some pictures up once this project gets off the ground. Your post is a big help though.

Got it now. What my buddy did (I delegated this job!) is shape the end of the 2" x 2" with the angle grinder untill it fit flush to the hinge. It was easy because both pieces were on the work bench and the hinge was not assembled for this fitting process. Once things lined up we welded it on.

Good luck with your build.

Cheers,
p

 

[Arivalsend]

Ahh nice have to really treat my 4" nice for the next couple weeks if I am going to make it through this build. Thanks P

 

[heeltoe989]

Where did you get these? I'm collecting parts for my bumper.

 

[euro.love]

Where did you get these? I'm collecting parts for my bumper.

I second that!

 

[heeltoe989]

I second that!

I started really diggin in the thread and found everything Here

http://www.rocklogic4x4.com/?pg=online_store&cat=Fabrication Parts&sel=Tire Carrier

And Here

http://www.mcmaster.com/

Mc-Master-Carr part numbers:
Pull-Action Toggle Clamp: 5071A58
T-handle spring loaded pins:90222A112
Ball handle spring loaded pins: 90222A415

Sorry for the highjack P. I should have looked more closely at the thread

 

[mountainpete]

Looking great Pierre!

 

[heeltoe989]

Just to let people know. I got this from Mcmaster today.

Thank you for your order. Unfortunately, due to the ever increasing complexity of United States export regulations, McMaster-Carr can only process orders from a few long-established customers in Canada. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes you.


Thank you,

David Ulam

McMaster-Carr Supply Co

330-995-5929


That sucks!!!!!

 

[p1michaud]

No problem on the hi-jack, it relates to the build up.

You may be able to find a local business that can order items from Mcmaster and place your order through them.

Here is another option for the latch: Grainger

Good luck.

 

[heeltoe989]

I really started digging around Edmonton last night and have found a few companies that might have the parts I need

Thanks for the info though

 

[p1michaud]

Half the answer...

What do you estimate that the bumper weighs? I know that you'd said that weight was a concern and you wanted to keep it as low as possible, yet still have the necessary strength.

I'm wondering, because at some point I want build one of these and I too am concerned about weight past the rear axle.

Tony,
I'm half way to having an answer for you! Using the calibrated bathroom scale I was able to get some numbers for the OEM bumper and hitch.

1-OEM bumper was: 50 lbs

2-Aftermaket class III hitch only: 45 lbs.

When I remove the bumper, I'll let you know the numbers on it.

Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[tdesanto]

Tony,
I'm half way to having an answer for you! Using the calibrated bathroom scale I was able to get some numbers for the OEM bumper and hitch.

1-OEM bumper was: 50 lbs

2-Aftermaket class III hitch only: 45 lbs.

When I remove the bumper, I'll let you know the numbers on it.

Cheers :beer:,
P

P, you're so thorough! Take your time, but I'm still interested in the info whenever you get around to it. I don't even know how to weld yet. :smilies27

 

[p1michaud]

Quarter panel protection, to little to late...

Well I had been torn during my build up if I should incorporate quarter panel protection. The decision was made not to mainly due to additional weight and this was the outcome from a close encounter with a tree...

No the end of the world, but I may now cut the bed sides and incorporate additional protection. I've got some steel, but not sure if I want to or not yet.

Cheers,
P

 

[euro.love]

Wow, thats kinda weird. A deer ran into my bed 2 days ago. It hit that same spot and made that same size dent. Jeeze, I thought I was looking at my truck for a minute. Oh, my truck is red too.