Winter is arriving and this means I will have lots of downtime at work. I just got the welder in today (stick welder 295amp)

The plan is to fabricate front and possibly rear bumpers.

Here is the one I really like.. Front Winch Bumper with Pre-Runner for 1999-2004 Ford Super Duty F250-350

I happen to have a huge plate of 7x15ft steel that is 1/2 inch think.

What is the max weight capacity I can put on the front of my truck? I plan on putting a 4 inch lift on my truck come next summer so I think my stock springs can handle it for a bit.

Other bumpers use 3/16th or 1/4" plate. Is this 1/2 inch gonna be too much?

I would really like to fab using materials I already have to cut down on costs.

And what does everyone think I should coat the bumper in? Ceramic coating? Tough paint? Rhinolining?? I got a buddy that will do rhino liner it for nothing so i'm leaning that way

Thanks guys.

Ohh and if anyone with crazy good welding skills wants to come help I'll cover fuel and beer haha

 

1/2 inch? Yikes! What do you plan on plowing into Andrew? 1/4 inch should be plenty. 3/8 if really feel like it. I might be able to help you on the welding part. Depends on if I have some free time over x-mas break

-Clay

 

I think 1/2" is probably overkill and a half Andrew. LOL I like your style though...and that bumper style

 

Oh and to give you a comparison, when i built my trailer i used 3/16 inch angle and c-channel. The axle will break before anything on the structure fails.

 

WOW! You didn't tell me that it was 1/2".When we talked about this the other day.

I think the 1/2" is a little heavy also.

 

It's not what I plan on hitting.. it's what plans on getting in my way. I was watching tv the other day and saw those awesome stryker vehicles.. they can run some stuff over.. I feel I should be able to compete with that haha..

I will keep my eyes open for some 3/8th plate then..

 

Dang Andrew. Sounds like a good project. If you want to pay for fuel I will be there

 

Even 3/8" is going to be CRAZY nuts, man.....

I'd do 1/4" and add some gussets to the backside to make it a little stronger. It's still not going to give you any problems.

If memory serves, I think a 4x8 sheet of 1/4" mild steel is a couple hundred bucks from a steel supplier. And they also deliver, normally. I can't remember exact numbers, as it's been a few months since I ordered any. If you want to do the math, it should be 50 cents a pound or less, it depends if you can find a place that could put it on a bigger order or if you have to get it straight from a supplier....

 

Jeez.. nick.. don't tell me you can weld too?! What can't you do man? I mean other than buy **** cigarettes and beer

 

I found a 4x8 1/4 plate of diamond plate steel for $200 I might do the top in diamond plate 1/4 and 3/8th plate($275 -4x8) for the front and 1/2 in the brackets to really get some strength.

Then what do you guys recommend for steel tube size? I want to put 4 lights on the top of it and then stick 4 more lights behind the grill.

Then HID fog lights in the bottom of the grill w/ 1inch or 1.5 inch amber bulbs for blinkers light..

Ohh.. and then the truck must have 05-07 headlights..

 

O you mean that stuff aint important lol Ya at the beginning of the school year I learned how to Mig weld and in October I learned how to Tig weld and now I can lay a pretty good bead or at least my friend says I can

 

Planes will try to land on the front of your truck with that many lights haha. Honestly 1/4 inch will work for everything. The couple companies i just checked out use 3/16 inch for the entire shell with gussets.

-Clay

Edit: here's one of the companies. I don't know what their reputation or workmanships is like, but they look nice

http://www.roadarmor.com/site/ford/9...-excursion.php

 

I looked at Road Armor. The lady there was nice enough to send me detailed photos of all there bumpers. I am told that they are very difficult to deal with.

I just like the looks of the fab four better. I am going to use looks from all the bumpers.

Why are you on here? Get studying. Then you can come to Bean's this weekend.. I might take you up this break to get this think going. Need anything rhino'd.. I'm gonna get a bunch of stuff done..

 

I say throw the X-codes on and go Prius hunting .

 

Haha.. I think the Prius's hunt me! I had that same lady pull out infront of me last week. I was in a different truck at that!