since its done now I figured I might as well change the thread name. On a really positive note the overall weight is really on par with the factory bumper, even though the materials used are thicker then stock, the amount of material is way less.

materials

1 piece - 1/2" x 6" x 48" plate
1 piece - 3/16" x 5" x 60" C channel
small scrap of 1/8" plate to box the ends
1 7/8 drill bit
4 3/4" bolts
8 washers
4 nuts
a few cut off wheels and grinding disks

and beer, lots of beer


and here is its painted and mounted. I think I want to trim down the shackle mounts.. they seem a bit large to me. I also need to do another coat or 2 of paint but at least it wont be rusted after the first rain atm

 

as long as your welds are good and strong with proper penetration, i think you'll be fine any way you go.

oh, and got any pics?

 

hmm interesting, thanks for the insight

Ill post pics when its done, but I blatantly stole the idea from this guy. so thanks for that

 

were you at rausch creek for the ec4rj? i went wheeling with "that guy" haha

here's a link you may find useful:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/...bumper-237749/

 

Personally i would pass through. it would make your welding ability a little less important.

are you going to put a receiver tube in the middle of it as well?

 

No I wasn't. I live on the wet coast of canada i found that pic searching here for ideas


at this time no Im not. If there comes a time when I need one I can always add it.

I just like the idea of it being one piece more myself.. other then maybe being used as a high lift mount the bumper is there so I dont get a ticket for not having one

 

1/2" plate is overkill IMO. After seeing slinkhound's bumper I used his idea for mine as well, but it's 100% completely bolt on. Doesn't see much action though as I don't typically need to get yanked out of stuff other then mud bog pits. So far it hasn't let me down. I just got to get some shackle hangers on it. Somewhere on here, I know in my build thread for sure, but I also believe I started it's own thread as well.

 

it was actually your thread that gave me the idea

1/2 maybe over kill.. but a 4' x 6" piece was 35 bucks.. im mean there was no reason for me to hone out the 1/2 inch bolt holes to fit 3/4 other then maybe one day ill want to try and hang my truck by a shackle mount

 

The beauty of a receiver hitch is 2 fold. Small trailers come in handy quite a bit and i would hate not having one when i needed it, plus they make it easy to attach a strap. Slide strap hoop in tube insert pin through the hoop and bam a great place to strap on.

you can see what i mean in this pic.

 

I never liked the idea of using a hitch as a recovery point as 90% of the time they are only rated for 5,000 lbs and a straight pull. And on a 3800-4000 lb truck doesn't leave alot of room for overcoming rolling resistance of what ever you or the next guy is stuck in. Alot of people also forget this when they are using portable cradles on their winches as well. Just because the winch is rated for 10K or 12K doesn't mean that when you hook it into your receiver it is still usable for a 10k 12k pull as your yank the receiver right off the truck as it's only designed for 5000lb. And 90% of the time your not straight either your at some sort of an angle. And if it's an up/down angle as pulling someone out of a hole, then then most of the time the 5,000lb hitch is only rated for 500lb tongue weight, no where near the amount of stress your gonna put on it. Especially when you consider the weight of the winch/cradle assembly alone.

 

Im sure they do, but my province requires a bumper to be there. trust me I wanted to just buy a hidden hitch and bolt it on

but the one day I get a cop behind me and he actually knows the laws is the day im out more than the 70 dollars in steel I bought.

edit.. just read the post above me and thats a very valid point

 

I have pulled my brothers Cherokee out numerous times with my hitch and never had a problem with it. i have also used a cradle Ramsey winch(9500 patriot series) to stall point on my factory hitch and it didn't so much as move the receiver.

I'm not saying that nothing will ever happen but look at what holds a winch bumper on? 4-8 bolts. that's it. I would be worried about that as well then. and also the 4 small bolts that hold the winch to the plate. or the fact that Factory tow hooks are only held on by 2 bolts. Where does your strength argument sit?
Most hitches are made out of 1/4 inch plate roughly. and they meet DOT requirements to haul 5000 pounds(depending on class) but do you think the manufacturer says " this will hold 5000lbs it's good enough."?

 

winch bumpers are also typically gusseted for more then just a straight line pull. Factory tow hooks IIRC also use grade 10 hardened bolts and I believe the frame section they are bolted to is reinforced as well. There is also a reason why winch bumpers also have the support plate for the crossmember they are bolting to. Which is also gusseted/welded on as well.

I have seen factory tow hooks (not on yotas though) yanked off BTW. Some of the "perks" of driving tow truck for a year or so.

 

All i was getting at is no matter where you hook to bolted or welded on has a week point. some times you find it sometimes you don't. also age of materials can make a huge difference. I'm not disagreeing that some things are stronger than others but We as individuals have a tendency to over build everything.


and as everything in this sport DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK!

 

Scab plates with the 1/2" plate welded to it will be fine.
I hope you're not using a 110v mig welder, because i'd be using 220, stick or mig.

 

Like you said the 1/2" was pretty cheap.

I think with any recovery operation what scares me the most is just pulling the truck frame apart as if you think it is most likely the oldest weakest part of the operation

In these mid eightys trucks new bumper all new hardware If I was gonna do major recovery I would plate the other side of the frame from the bumper brackets

 

the welding is being done at 220v.. My buddy is doing it and he knows what hes doing in that regard.

I dont think my frame is an issue, the truck itself sat in my parents garage for the better part of last 19 years, I havent even hit 100k miles yet, so I think the frame will be just fine.

 

couple progress pics.. im pretty much ready to tac it in place and weld it up.. needs a little more notching and I have to cut the c - channel to the right length to tuck under the tailgate

 

beeeeef!!! that looks so hefty! good work, my canadian friend

(don't forget to make sure the tailgate can still open)

 

might as well trim the rear lower quarter panels and wrap the bumper around for more protection.