I'm brainstorming on how I will mount beefier bumpers on my '85 4x4 & started looking at the factory brackets & framerails...pretty weak to say the least. So what have you guys come up with to strenghten the mounting points/brackets/frame rails(the rear appears really weak) for your custom bumpers(to withstand winching/impacts,etc)? Pic's & ideas are appreciated.Sleepr71.

 

Look up Scotty's build on his swingout bumpers from Addicted Offroad. Also, visit 4crawlers site for his rear bumper mount kits..........

 

Padgett Fabrication builds some of the stoutest brackets you can buy for the 84-94 trucks. For 95% of the rigs out there just the Flat 3/8" thick steel brackets are fine. Occasionally customers want more, and we build heavt-duty versions with a 2" wide, 1/4" thick strip of steel that is welded in an "L" shape along the lower edge of the bracket. We build the brackets as bolot together "2-piece" units because we need to keep shipping sizes of our bumpers down, and to allow customers who later add or delete body lifts to keep the old bumper and just order new brackets...


We do build the entire bumpers ... but we can sell brackets for the do-it-yourself-er. Just keep in mind the brackets are built for our bumpers, which are built from 3" wide x 5" tall tubing.

 

Do those brackets go inside the frame rail or alongside?

 

Outside on the trucks and inside on the 4Runners. In my pictures, the truck brackets are blue, and the 4Runner brackets sets are tan...

 

Thanx for the feedback so far guys! Big Blue..I like your idea of sliding a piece of 2x3 rect. tubing inside the rear frame-rail, minus the headaches you had w/ yours. I like the Padgett designed plates too..simple solution! hmm..decisions! Whatever I build...you'll not want to tailgate me & risk hitting that mother & I won't be scared to hook up to something & pull(or be pulled) lol. Sleepr71.