Ho' made rear bumper

A turd of my very own. Finally got together all the parts. Started cutting and welding last night. Here's what I have so far:

http://photos.hxoc.net/gallery/albums/rearbumper/rearbumper1.jpg

Main body is 2x6x0.25 rect tube. 2" receiver built in. Shackle mounts & tire carrier will follow. It will go all the way across the rear of the truck. Stock endcaps will be chopped down to size, or will be replaced with steel versions (ala Calmini style). Its a *little* on the heavy side, but will be bomb-proof, and have an awesome departure angle.

Looks good so far. Nice shop you got there. Looks like you have the same problem most of us have. That is, what to do with that stock bumper. (and all the other spare stock parts, hehehe) Good luck.

Yeah, the stock bumper is in the "scrap metal" pile right now. I tossed the plastic part, it was pretty much trashed from offroading anyway. In the upper left of the picture, on the shelves, you can just barely make out some step rails. Took them off at day one. Free if anyone want to pay shipping. Actually that whole shelf is "extras". I'm going to try to get the bumper mounted up this weekend when I put on my body lift. We'll see how time goes, though.

Chris that bumper looks like a great job! It's exactly what I want in a rear bumper! I just want to be able to pull some one with it! Don't want the tire carrier! I'd even skip the D-ring shackles if the 2" hitch is super secure! Where are your licsence plate and lights going to attach?

Hadn't thought that far yet. I'll figure something out. I'm sure at first it will be zip ties or duct tape.

Yo yo yo, my "Ho" made me this bumper. :D

Looks good! It even looks kind of like it has the factory curves. Nice Millermatic too. That is on my wants list. I currently have an old stick welder.:(

Originally posted by Chris_McCracken
Hadn't thought that far yet. I'll figure something out. I'm sure at first it will be zip ties or duct tape.

Heh. I still have my license plate hanging on with zip ties. (6 months now). Although ChuckH just dropped off my new holder with light. :)

I got the Ho-made from a restaurant near me (a real "down-home" kind of place) that has a specialty of "Ho-made mached potatoes", and they actually spell it like that. Cracks me up everytime I see it. It doesn't curve like the factory bumper, its straight across. I would sure as hell like to see a machine that could put a subtle bend in 2x6x0.25 steel. The bottom corners are notched, however, to give it a nicer appearance. The MillerMatic 175 is great. If you get one, you MUST spring for the 240V model (175+), not the 110V model (135). The 110V is for sheet metal. I actually stick welded the back side of the receiver, as a good stick weld is stronger than a MIG weld (no cold starts that introduce porosity). I don't think strength is an issue at all though, just wanted to try something different. Used a Lincoln Buzz Box in AC at 175 amps with 1/8" 6013 rods. The quality was very close to the results of the MIG. The 6013 is a very clean rod. More pics soon... I have the mounting brackets about half done. Haven't had a lot of time to work on it this weekend, as I was putting on a 2" body lift.

Originally posted by Chris_McCracken
The MillerMatic 175 is great. If you get one, you MUST spring for the 240V model (175+), not the 110V model (135). The 110V is for sheet metal. I actually stick welded the back side of the receiver, as a good stick weld is stronger than a MIG weld (no cold starts that introduce porosity). I don't think strength is an issue at all though, just wanted to try something different. Used a Lincoln Buzz Box in AC at 175 amps with 1/8" 6013 rods. The quality was very close to the results of the MIG. The 6013 is a very clean rod. More pics soon... I have the mounting brackets about half done. Haven't had a lot of time to work on it this weekend, as I was putting on a 2" body lift.

Thanks for the tips! I'm just starting out and don't know a whole lot about welding. I have been using a handy-down Craftsman stick welder. I have made two Jeep bumpers and a battery tray so far. My welds seem to be strong enough, but they look like bird poop! I had to do alot of ginding to make my bumpers look decent.

I have a good friend who recently got a MillerMatic 185. He too was telling me to get at least a 175. After using a MillerMatic, I hate to go back to using a stick welder. I was able to make beautiful welds with my friends welder, even with my limited knowlege of welding. I have been debating the size issue, as my next door neighbor has a little 110V Lincoln that he seems to weld anything and everything with.

Again nice job on the bumper. Are you relocating your spare, or is it still going ride under the truck?

Originally posted by ScottG

Again nice job on the bumper. Are you relocating your spare, or is it still going ride under the truck?

I will [eventually] be relocating my spare from the hatch to the bumper. The 32x11.50 doesn't fit underneath with the hitch. That part of the bumper may be awhile, as I want to use bent round tubing and need to invest in a tubing bender for that.