What do y'all think of using the factory hitch (2.5" square tubing, bent in a shallow curve, mounted on each side to 0.25" plate secured inside the frame) as a starting point for a custom rear bumper?

The plan is to remove it from the current mounting plates and move it up higher, just below the tailgate, and resecure it to the mounting plates, then cut the excess mounting plate off.

From there I would use 2" square tubing (to match the 4Crawler sliders) to make the side sections. The side wings would be secured crossways to the rear tie down point.

Think that would be sufficiently strong?

 

That may work, but I think it will look silly. You will also need some side bracing. Why not buy a premade on or have a custom one made like I did.

 

i agree, it may be sufficiently strong, but i dont think it will look as clean as a made from scratch.

but then again, you could prove us wrong

 

Check out 4Hummer's creation...
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ghlight=bumper

That might work for you.

 

Thanks fellas. Unfortunately, I really don't like the look of tube bumpers on a mostly daily driver vehicle - can see too much of the ugly stuff behind them (including a fair amount if rust). Also, I think plate style or even square tubing would go better with my square tubing sliders.

Marc P - what size/wall thickness tubing is that? Aesthically, it looks pretty good, but looks like it wouldn't be all that strong...