My 1985 Pickup 4x4 dlx long bed has a thick steel rear bumper that appears to have been added. I'd like to add a hitch receiver tube to the bottom of it so I can swap out different balls and heights easier. Is welding a hitch receiver tube to the bottom of this bumper a good idea?

It appears to be a thick steel tube bumper that is mounted to the frame. The ends look like they have been modified with some thinner gauge material but the mounts and the main bumper are thick.

 

It looks like a large piece of angle iron, but I would remove the ball and punch a square hole behind it and run the new receiver tube to the edge of the plate and through the square hole and weld it up. I'd use the existing hole for the ball and weld that up into the tube and smooth it out. Then drill a couple of 3/4'' holes through the plate for some chain holders. Looking closer, it is looking more like a chunk of box tubing, but the idea remains. I'd also put in a 6 pin trailer plug socket

 

Yes. I believe it was box tubing.

 

Yeah, so cut a square hole all the way through and weld it up both sides and also along the length of it

 

I like the idea of cutting a hole through the square tube for stability but other than an angle grinder, I don't think I have a clean way of cutting a good hole through the square tubing. After some more searching I was thinking something like this bolted and welded underneath the bumper. Its rated at 5000 lbs and with bolts and welds I would assume it would hold up to anything I could tow with the Yota. I mostly tow a small 1980's Glastron boat or my home-made motorcycle trailer. Thoughts?

 

Sure, but how are you going to get a nut on the inside of the box, unless you just weld it without bolting. My original thought was for ground clearance and keeping it tucked up. Know anybody with a plas cutter or a cutting torch to get the hole? Hole initially doesn't have to be all that pretty if you are going to weld it over, just need a snug and close to square fit for the receiver

 

I don't know how often or much you plan on towing but the welds holding the square tube bumper to the flat plates that are bolted to the frame don't look real trustworthy. In it's current state, I wouldn't trust that to tow much at all. Take care of that and then worry about adding a receiver.