NickMiller

So, after living with a bent rear bumper for a while, I decided it's time for some change. I had looked at all the available options for bumpers, but so far I haven't found any that I liked. Basically, because I can't stand the look of tube bumpers (no my grille guard doesn't count ).

Instead of just sucking it up and buying a bumper I don't like I've decided to take advantage of my Adv. Metals class I take at school and just build one for myself. It shouldn't be terribly difficult, but it'll be a new challenge for me!

So far, I made the basic design in Google Sketchup (all I have at home) and I'm turning in my plans for teacher approval tomorrow at school! Then, if my plans get approved (no reason they wouldn't) I'll be ordering materials later this week or early next week. The only thing I haven't figured out yet is mounting brackets, but I figured I'd deal with that after I have the basic structure completed.

I'll add more pics and info as the build goes along, but until project is approved and materials are ordered there's nothing much to update.

Current Plans (meaurements aren't exact, sketchup is approx.):

NickMiller

Got my plans approved!

I'm gonna call the local metal shop and order my materials later this week and I'm gonna get started on building come next week!

Tbrown0102

Nice design!

NickMiller

Thanks! I think it'll look sick!

NickMiller

Went down to the local metal shop and got a whole bunch of 2"x4"x.120" rectangular tubing and a bit of 2"x1/8" steel stock to cap off the ends! Gonna get started tomorrow... Should look awesome when I'm done!

93Xtra-Cab

Subscribed! I'm thinking about building a bumper for my 93 with a similar design. How much did the piece of 2"x4" tubing cost, if you don't mind me asking? I can't find any site that has it for a good price. That, or the shipping is ridiculous. I'll have to keep searching for a local metal yard. So far, no luck.

Redeth005

So how's the bumper going Nick?

NickMiller

I don't remember exactly what it cost? I think it was like $30? Brain fart... lol. I went to a local place because they're really cheap AND deliver to your house for free!

It's going pretty good! Getting the time to work on it during shop class is pretty hard so progress is pretty slow...

NickMiller

Made some progress today! Traced cut lines, made some rough cuts and started to grind 'em down until they look pretty!

NickMiller

Major progress made today in class! Cuts cleaned up, caps cut, tacked, and now ready to finish weld!

ChefYota4x4

iTrader: (5)

Love that simple style! Nice, Nick!

NickMiller

Thanks! It's all about looking clean and simple

bone collector

how did you do the hitch in the bumper?? nice looking so far

NickMiller

I'm gonna cut a hole in the main tube and put the receiver tube through it!

Redeth005

So yoyre gonna reuse the stock hitch like I did too? Not bad dude. Keep up the progress its coming along. U mentioned something about class. Is this something you're doing only at school? Or are u also doing stuff at home?

NickMiller

Not exactly sure how I'm doing the hitch yet... I'm gonna try to buy a receiver tube and put it through the bumper (like the plans show), but I'm not 100% sure yet! I'm a bit out of practice on my welds, so anything that NEEDS to be 100% solid worries me a bit. I'm only towing a 10ft boat down the road to the lake or a small trailer to the dump so it's not really a HUGE concern, but it still is one.

I'm doing this for my main project in my metals class at school! No welder, grinder, etc at home to get anything done. I have class every other day and I don't always have access to the tools I need so progress is slow, but still moving!

NickMiller

Small update!

Got some buddies to hold up the bumper so I could take a pic! It's gonna look sweet!


Also got the bumper ends finish welded, ground clean, and poly-fanned!

ChefYota4x4

iTrader: (5)

Ohhhh yeahhh! Lol... Can't wait!

NickMiller

I know! I'm getting more and more excited the closer I get!

89pickup-pablo

Any updates?