Bumper metal thickness opinions...

[Chris401]

bumper

Heres mine under way I used 3/16 on main body and 1/2 on supports Still have lots to do.

https://forum.millerwelds.com/filedata/fetch?id=504050
That is a good looking guard. It fits the square Dodge body.

[aametalmaster]

I have seen S-10's with solid 2 1/2" bar stock. The bumper is only as good as what its mated to...Bob

[Franz©]

The purpose of a bumper is to absorb energy in an impact situation without transferring the energy to the vehicle frame.
A buper of heavier construction than the vehicle frame will transfer energy to the frame and distort the frame. The S-10 does not have a substantial frame, and is lacking in suspension ability to carry a winch around. TRW manufactures a transverse camelback to somewhat solve the weight handling ability of the front suspension.

[johnsnowkornar]

The truck is an '84 S-10 extended cab. It will have a 5" lift on it in the not too distant future. This bumper is not going to have a winch in it. I do not have a winch right now, and I figured when I do finaly have the money to spend on a winch, I will just build another bumper around it, and probably sell this one to someone else.

I realize the strains that can be placed on a frame. I have many years with trucks with plows, and I have seen what they can do to a truck!

I am not looking to make it like a dozer blade, I just want to be sure that if I hook onto it to pull someone out or get pulled out, it is not going to bend or distort.

I'd prescribe any winch over 9000lbs. you can get something quite modest from Costco, TSC, or Runva... Simply go over the electrical associations before you introduce it.

[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!