Homemade bumper!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Yeah, its definately gross overkill. 1/4" is a bit extreme. But my old bumper was rather ugly I had some 1/4" plate, and I wanted to play with my new plasma cutter, so this bumper evolved into a huge massive cow catcher lol.
Its finished yet but its getting closer.
Its finished yet but its getting closer.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
well, between the driving lights I have to make a shelf on the inside and a slot for the winch rollers, and above the lights between the frame rails I have to make a 16ga box on the inside, then make ledges with gaskets around sorta like an in-bumper tool box. Already have the stainess steel hinges, the gaskets the latch, just have to get to welding it up. This will be storage for "junk" I don't want in my bed box, things like tow cables, battery cables, that sorta stuff. Since I'm converting the truck to dual batteries once I do the engine swap, a friend suggested that instead of a tool box I put the batteries in the bumper, since 1/4" plate will protect them well even on impact.
Which is a neat idea, as relocating the batteries gives me more room for the turbos, with ambient air around them so they don't cook things underhood.
Though, the idea of batteries *in* the bumper worries me lol. I'll probably stick with the tool box idea.
Which is a neat idea, as relocating the batteries gives me more room for the turbos, with ambient air around them so they don't cook things underhood.
Though, the idea of batteries *in* the bumper worries me lol. I'll probably stick with the tool box idea.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Concord, New Hampshire
Well its umm, Cool, reminds me of a wrecker, just need some rubber so you can push cars. Do you plan on off roading whith that bumper,its gonna be kinda hard, you dont have any real approach angele, i know some of the stuff itve done with my f-150 now ive almost hit the bumper, and its stock hight.
)
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Bingo, ATC wins the prize.
That was my influence, a tow truck/wrecker bumper!
And no, I've never taking this truck off-road other than a gravel driveway or two. She's purely a highway cruiser, and will be used to tow my "other" Ford truck, which I have in storage until I finish up some details, and swap in the 500cid twin turbo stroker.
Then, the other truck (late 80's F150 shortbed) will be converted into a purpose built "tough truck" for competition purposes.
First things first though
That was my influence, a tow truck/wrecker bumper!
And no, I've never taking this truck off-road other than a gravel driveway or two. She's purely a highway cruiser, and will be used to tow my "other" Ford truck, which I have in storage until I finish up some details, and swap in the 500cid twin turbo stroker.
Then, the other truck (late 80's F150 shortbed) will be converted into a purpose built "tough truck" for competition purposes.
First things first though
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Attaching the top plate via flux-core mig welding:
Cutting out the top plate, to match the contour of the 92-96 nose:
Grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind:
Metal work completed. Next step is to fill in the weld beads with bondo since all the welds are now below the surface of the metal forming the shape. I was originally going to "lead" the welds then smooth that out but bondo is so much easier, and there really isn't any effort involved. Skim, sand, prime, paint. More pictures coming this weekend once I skim etc.
By the way, I need an assistant to stand in front of the truck so I can test the bumper. It will require you to wear a moose costume and hold two water balloons. Any volunteers?
Cutting out the top plate, to match the contour of the 92-96 nose:
Grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind:
Metal work completed. Next step is to fill in the weld beads with bondo since all the welds are now below the surface of the metal forming the shape. I was originally going to "lead" the welds then smooth that out but bondo is so much easier, and there really isn't any effort involved. Skim, sand, prime, paint. More pictures coming this weekend once I skim etc.
By the way, I need an assistant to stand in front of the truck so I can test the bumper. It will require you to wear a moose costume and hold two water balloons. Any volunteers?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,214
Likes: 13
From: New Jersey
Making driving light frames out of 1/2" square rod. Purpose is to protect lights a little bit in case of imports not getting out of the way fast enough:
Test fitting bumper to verify sculpting of top plate is accurate enough:
Undercoating:
Priming:
Drying:
In an hour, I'll wet sand, blow dry, then paint. Off to hardware store to buy rustoleum paint of some color. I'll decide when I get there whether to paint it red, or white. Since my truck is off-white, and eventually will be red, I might as well paint it the red I'm going to use.
Test fitting bumper to verify sculpting of top plate is accurate enough:
Undercoating:
Priming:
Drying:
In an hour, I'll wet sand, blow dry, then paint. Off to hardware store to buy rustoleum paint of some color. I'll decide when I get there whether to paint it red, or white. Since my truck is off-white, and eventually will be red, I might as well paint it the red I'm going to use.