On Monday I will be picking up some stock to make my first bumper. I was thinking either 3" or 4" square stock tube steel. Going to 90 the corners and wrap them around the sides of the bed for a little protection. Also adding a 2" receiver hitch mount. Boltied and welding to the frame with probably 1/4 plate stock. Probably 2 shackle rmounts for when I stick it somewhere. That's half the fun right. If this turns out good I may take on a front winch bumper. Any thoughts or advice is appreciated thanks

 

I would go with the 3" and maybe 2" for.the wraparound quarter panel protection

 

Is that for weight ? I was wanting to be able to rest a beer can on it so 3" I guess would work.

 

Weight is pretty much what I was thinking.

 

Yea I appreciate the experience. I tend to over build stuff. ie my aquarium stand will probably support a fire truck almost heavier than the empty glass tank and it's a 155 gallon so it's not light. Once again thanks for the advice

 

You might want to sit down and picture this bumper before running off to Steel Tube R`US

It all depends on just what kind of look your going for.

A double row 3" square tube or single 3" is pretty small for a single row.

Have you given any thoughts to making the brackets to mount the bumper?/

In any case it is yours make it like you want.

 

Look at this.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/0...r-chop-257034/



:wabbit2:

 

wabbit thats beautiful!

 

Thanks. Bumpers take a lot of time to be both functional (main thing) and purty (bling thing). I don't make many except for my own Toyotas and for friends. We still got to cut the side braces and add flanges so the bumper can come off and put some hoops on the sides for tail light protection. Might add a tire carrier later but it's sturdy enough you could pick the truck up by it if ya had to.

:wabbit2:

 

that is exactly the style bumper i want for my truck. low profile and i need to cut out the rust by my back tires anyway, and I need a hitch. Do you mind telling me what size steel you used? thickness etc?

 

Rear is 2x4x3/16 I think and sides/braces are 1.5x3.5x3/16. Just a receiver hitch cut out of an old Reese. Mounts are 3/8 thick plate with factory bumper and hitch braces welded on and reused. You can see those pics in link.

It's pretty simple bumper but it is hella stout.

:wabbit2:

 

Thanks!

 

Wabbit thanks that is what I was trying to get out of my head and on to paper. I hope you dont mind me trying to do a not worthy copy of what you have there. What would you recommend doing on the inside for rust proofing

 

You could always use C channel, Its pretty strong, heavy enough but no to heavy.

I have a picture of the one i built on my front bumper build thread.

Cause in all reality no one is going to be looking at the back of the bumper. The possibilitys are there with square stock, but C channel is really easy to get your hands on.

 

Ok so I have a basic cardb

 

Ok so I have a basic cardboard mock up of my poor copy of Wabbit's bumper. It grew as I made it by about an inch. Originally I was going to make it tight with the body but I kind of like the thought of having a 1/2-3/4 inch buffer on the bed sides just in case I somehow manage to bend it. I still have to mock up mounting points back and side's. And add a hitch mount and tow shackles.
It measures 72" across outside and 64" inside by 25" on the inside measurement for the side protection. Since I am trying to copy Wabbit's designs I am using 2x4 for the rear and 1 1/2x 3 1/2 for the side. All ideas are welcome.

Would it be better to have the bumper tight to the body or spaced from the body


Thanks for everybody's help so far. YT Rocks.

I will add my photos in a second edit photos not till at least tomorrow as photobucket beta version is not letting me get the link code.

 

nice little bumper !


Mark

 

yeah looks good, very stylish and useful it seems