front bumper
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Like I asked, I don't get it, all that weight does is tear up the front end, cause greater tire wear, kills Fuel mileage.
Is it a bigger is better thing like 24" wheels or 40" boggers on a mall crawler???
I'm serious, I just don't get how the weight could be advantagous.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Is it a bigger is better thing like 24" wheels or 40" boggers on a mall crawler???
I'm serious, I just don't get how the weight could be advantagous.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 1
Oh, I get it now - no, the weight itself is not advantageous, it's just a byproduct of the strength the bumper is built in mind with. Of course there are plenty of strong and light bumpers out there such as those made by Ali Arc, but those of us with limited financial resources but with access to welding equipment and reasonably-priced steel just kinda learn to live with the extra weight. It's a pick your poison type of situation, you really want cheap light and strong all at once but only have two of those properties can actually coexist (ebay deals and CL finds excluded).
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,621
Likes: 1
From: Sweetwater Texas
heavy bumpers do suck, just ask my front end. but my bumper comes in at over 400 lbs. Two grown men can barely pick it up, but it is an oilfield special made of drill stem, 1'' plate, and heavy wall 1'' pipe.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: Dairy, OR
400 lbs is a LOT of extra weight for the front end to handle. We have a guy here locally that builds custom bumpers, when I talked to him about building me one he said it would come in around 150 lbs. You can have lot's of strength by proper fabrication and not have to use such heavy steel.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
I agree, proper design and construction makes all the difference in the world.
Personally, I try to lighten my vehicles as much as possible within reason, though I'm sure that mentality comes with nearly 50 years of racing.
I don't go wheeling and I didn't know if there was a reason for the weight when wheeling, personally I would think weight kills regardless of the use.
Strength is a totally different story, not weight, heavy metal doesn't mean strong.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Personally, I try to lighten my vehicles as much as possible within reason, though I'm sure that mentality comes with nearly 50 years of racing.
I don't go wheeling and I didn't know if there was a reason for the weight when wheeling, personally I would think weight kills regardless of the use.
Strength is a totally different story, not weight, heavy metal doesn't mean strong.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 1
400 lbs is a LOT of extra weight for the front end to handle. We have a guy here locally that builds custom bumpers, when I talked to him about building me one he said it would come in around 150 lbs. You can have lot's of strength by proper fabrication and not have to use such heavy steel.
Oh, but of course, all I was saying is that if you're working with steel you can't entirely do away with excess weight if you're going for strength. There is acceptable excess weight, and then there is just plain too much, considering the plow mount duties for the OP's bumper I'd call that still acceptable...
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: Dairy, OR
I just have to say if it was me drilling 1" plate I wouldn't drill at all lol
Nothing like 60,000 PSI of water mixed with 80 grit sand being shoved through a .022 orifice to slice 1" steel like it's butter.... gotta love waterjet technology
Nothing like 60,000 PSI of water mixed with 80 grit sand being shoved through a .022 orifice to slice 1" steel like it's butter.... gotta love waterjet technology
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
wow that bumper makes mine look like a lightweight lol. Mine was about 130 finished. Itll be probly be 150 if i ever put my d rings on lol.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 5
From: Sand GAp, KY
All the steel I used was free or traded for parts as well as the paint job. I used what I could get. The 1/4x8x8 tube wasn't to heavy by it's self but the 1/2x4x6 angle for the plow mount and the 3/8 plate for the tube supports did add some wieght. I think the truck will handle it ok as it only dropped the front about a 1/2". Funny part is I still have to do the rear one and it is also gonna be made of the same type tube. But it will be used for extra storage with sealed locking doors. The plow I have for it is a Northman 7 1/2' blade. It wieghs in at about 700#s so I wanted something stout to carry it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 5
From: Sand GAp, KY
No it doesn't. But when you are limited by budget and availability of materials size helps. I know that some of the best aftermarket bumpers out there are made by Buckstop and they are not light wieght. But one of the owners of the company I work for had one on his 05 powerstroke and it was able to survive 15 deer impacts without anything but new paint. He just bought a 2010 stroke and couldn't get a Buckstop for it. He bought a different bumper that was lighter and "reenforced". It didn't survive the first deer hit. He has talked about haveing me build a bumper for his truck. So in the end you build it for what you need. I would prefer it to be lighter but when you may hit things at highway speeds you don't want to have to rebuild it again.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
exactly my line of thinking. Thats why mine is called the treekiller.