Bumper metal thickness opinions...

[Scarsman]

Hi. Sometime in the next few weeks I am going to be starting construction on a front bumper for my truck. I am building it for offroad use, and I want it to be very sturdy and able to withstand impacts against trees, rocks, banks, etc. I will have two bumper shackle mounts, http://www.rokmen.com/products/diy_f...le_mounts.html mounted right over the end of the frame rails. These will pass through the face of the bumper and be welded inside and out and gusseted on the inside to prevent pull through.

I was thinking of using 1/2" for the front face of the bumper and 3/8" for my top plate. Do you think this is overkill? Should I use 3/8" and 1/4"? I always have a tendancy to over build things.

[MAC702]

I'm sure that's it! Sometimes it teases me by letting me report posts, and then sometimes it slaps me back to reality.

[ryanjones2150]

Maybe you don't have enough bars.

[aametalmaster]

Why am I unauthorized to flag the post that bumped an 8-5-yr old thread for the sole purpose of advertising in his first post?

Not sure MAC, but I did see it last night....Bob

[MAC702]

Why am I unauthorized to flag the post that bumped an 8-5-yr old thread for the sole purpose of advertising in his first post?

[shootist2]

Either the bumper or the brackets need to be weaker than the frame, you want the damage to be replaceable, pulling shouldn't hurt it, but I saw a 72 chevy 3/4 ton stuck in the mud and the tow truck ripped the front of the frame rails off with his winch. Just a 2 ton tow truck.

[JimmyKay]

For Jeep bumpers, 3/16″ is pretty standard. All the DIY Jeep bumper kits that come highly recommended for at-home welders and off-road enthusiasts I've found have bumpers made from 3/16″ thick hot rolled steel. If you're worried about going overboard, I'd suggest looking at a pre-formed bumper kit ready for you to weld and grind. Most parts are already pre-formed to correct angles, and include shackle mounting tabs, winch plate, as well as 1/4″ thick mounting brackets. Everything you need - no more, no less. I've done 2 Jeep WJ bumper modifications using the kits from https://diyoffroadproducts.com/ Good luck with your project!

[vin-man welding]

454, 4 speed(i believe T-92) 4:56 gears. and you should have seen me sliding that thing every chance i got. and in the mud it looked like there was shovel's of mud going though the air.. here is another one.

[Scarsman]

I'm gonna guess that one had the 454.

[DetroitWelder]

Vin-Man

That 4 door dually really is a one of a kind. Hope you dont mind I save that pic
theres something about old body chevy trucks that I just love. One day i'm going to restore one.....That truck would be a great project.What motor did she have?

[vin-man welding]

DetroitWelder, well if i sew that coming at me in the rear view i'd turn my head too. very nice.
i'll have to see if i can't find a picture of my 90 blazer, i did some bumper work to it. here is a picture of my last truck. nothing for bumpers. sorry.but i turned heads. (there 38")

[Scarsman]

DetroitWelder, that looks pretty nice! Is there a winch in the front of that?



On fire most of the time, I know what you mean with your truck. All the bumpers out there are shaped to match the current styling. My truck is an '84 S10, and like yours it is much more square and flat shaped than trucks today. The one I will make will be more flat and square to match the truck. I think, anyway!

[On fire most of the time]

I have myself a truck I'm thinking about making a bumper for...but no one really makes a model specific one.

It doesnt help that its a 1970 C20. Those road armor ones look pretty sick, but Im not sure how something like that would look on my c20.

I was planning on using some 1/4" for the main body, and doubling up for the winch/tow hook mounts.

Also planning on making a rear for it, same material, with an identical winch mount, just in case...

Some good ideas here though, definitely stuff to think about. Thanks guys!

[DetroitWelder]

Built this last summer for my work truck,it turns heads

[m.k.swelding]

Any time I build bumpers for anyone I mainly use 3/16 for the skins and 3/8 for the mounts and tow points. Most of my bumpers weigh around 120 to 15lbs...