Hey So I am looking to build some bumpers for my 79 Bronc.
What do you think about 1,1/2'' Tubing and 1/8'' Plate for these designs? While i'm at it, What do you think about this design itself?

 

The design looks good but if I were you, I would use 3/16 plate, lose the tubing altogether, and just weld the pieces of plate together. I built a bumper that way for my Dodge Dakota and it turned out pretty well.

 

^^^ Seconded.

The tubing would just make things unnecessarily difficult to build, especially since you'll be covering it all with plate. The strength difference wouldn't be appreciable anyway, if you used 3/16 plate. Or if you were worried for some reason, you could use 1/4.

I like your design though! It'll look good!

 

Yeah You're probably right. Looking around some more at other builds I don't see anyone doing it this way. I want it to stay as lightweight as possible so whats the thinnest plate i should use? It doesn't need to be invincible just stronger than stock and able to support the winch.

 

I would make the winch cradle portion of it and the frame brackets out of 1/4" or maybe even 5/16", depending on what size winch you're using. The rest can be 1/8" if you're really concerned about weight, but I think 3/16" would be better.

Here's a picture of mine when it was still under construction:



And the finished product: