heavy bumpers

[sparks57]

I am planning on welding up a big bull bar type winch bumper here pretty soon. I don't know exactly how much it is going to weigh but I am concerned about front end droop because of it. I am going to build brand new bumper supports (the mounts that come off the frame) because one of them was slightly bent at one time and are not in very good shape, I wouldn't trust them with a big bumper even if they were in good shape.



First of all, what do you guys recommend for metal thickness of the plates?



Second, will this type of bumper require leveling springs? My bump stops are pretty close.



Thanks guys (and gals).

 

[RDusch]

CB,



The last bumper i built was made with 8" channel 3/8'' webbing with a 1/4 inch diamond plate top, and 1/2 '' uprights, never weighted it but i could put it on by my self,



My Reunell bumper, lights, jack and winch weigh in over 400lbs and the front end does'nt move enough to tell (with 2 1/2'' skyjackers)



Rick

 

[JStoll]

Ive built a few bumpers & winch mounts & for smaller trucks

my advise is to build it strong where it needs to be & light where it can be

so between the frame rails Id go with like the 8 inch channel to bolt the winch to than as a top plate (step) Id use like 1/8 plate in a big d shape with the flat part tward the grille than bend plate around the front so you get a rounded efect this makes it easier to park. in the middle where the roller fairlead goes in front of the winch you might have like a wide squared off U shape that bolts to the 8 inch channel on top curves around the front of the winch & bolts to the bottom of the 8 in channel this should be of like 1/4 plate,have corner gussets so it wont bend up or down & span the width of the winch this will protect the winch & make a strong base for the fairlead this will be covered by the 1/8 inch plate curving around the d shaped top plate & have a rectangular hole in the midle exposing the fairlead this 1/8 inch D shape might be un boltable or have a way to unblot the middle part surounging the fairlead mount to gain easy access to the winch but cover it from rain & snow

anyway I dont want to ramble too much but if you use thiner stuff where you can you save weight & its easier to make cooler rounded shapes oh yeh you need a verry strong loop or hook or 2 to put the hook on when snatchblocking (doubling power)

Ok Ok

enough is enough

JAK