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Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 07 Oct 2016 19:03
by Peter Connan
Ian, is your bumper going to be flat at the back, or will it have a step under the pintle mounting point?

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 08 Oct 2016 06:28
by David M
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The idea is to make the bumper strong enough so that it is the towbar.

On the 4.5 there is a big gap between the chassis cross member and the bumper if not stepped.

Not going to remove the bumper to photograph but make a bracket between using the pintle mounting hook holes to fasten the bracket. Piece of square tube (6 mm wall thickness) and weld flat plate (10mm) on either side with holes to mount to chassis and bumper.

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 10 Oct 2016 09:13
by iandvl
Thanks for all the suggestions. After a bunch of deliberation, I've actually decided I'm going to keep my standard towbar, but I'm going to make it a little easier to remove. Going to be building a mounting plate for the nuts which will fit on top of the chassis. This means I won't have to battle with keeping the nuts in place at the top whilst fastening and unfastening the bolts. Will make it very easy to remove and put back.

As a side note: my bumper is stepped. Will post photographs later today.

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 10 Oct 2016 09:57
by iandvl
Right - a status updated on the build.

Firstly, I've put highlift jack points on the sides of the recovery points / bumper mounts. These are currently tacked on, but will probably go in for proper welding today or tomorrow. They're ueber important, so they will be properly welded before I start tacking the rest of the stuff together. I also cut the slots for the recovery points.
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After this, I cut the holes for the hilift points, meaning that the back bit of the bumper could eventually seat properly on the mounting points.
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I decided I would opt for a step in my bumper. Not only would this mean that my spare wheel would just fit, but it would also allow me to mount the backplate of the step against the last chassis member by means of the four mounting bolts (two on each side). It would also mean my pintle recovery hook would not need extended bolts and similar.

This is the outcome. Yes - it still needs a little bit of straightening on the cut of the lower step. Also, I only put the actual step bit in to see what it would look like and check clearances. I will need to get some more steel to do this bit properly, but that is not something one can fine in Brits on a Saturday afternoon.
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Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 10 Oct 2016 10:03
by Herrie
Dit lyk goed! :thumbup:

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 10 Oct 2016 11:32
by Peter Connan
A lot of extra work I know, but this is what I would like to do.
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This setup would be almost indestructable.

You could also incorporate your recovery point into this as an integral part, and i would also recommend cutting a hole in the back plate to mount and protect the trailer plug. I have bent mine several times...

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 10 Oct 2016 12:01
by Tinus lotz
Mooi Piet daai kan werk ek hou baie daarvan :salute:

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 10 Oct 2016 12:53
by iandvl
Peter Connan wrote:A lot of extra work I know, but this is what I would like to do.
20161010_112608.jpg
This setup would be almost indestructable.

You could also incorporate your recovery point into this as an integral part, and i would also recommend cutting a hole in the back plate to mount and protect the trailer plug. I have bent mine several times...
Peter,

Thanks for the response. That looks absolutely epic. However, I've decided to stick with my current towbar. I'll post details on the "more-easy-to-attach" type set up when I'm done.

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 10 Oct 2016 13:26
by Peter Connan
No problem Ian

Your plan will work just fine.

Re: My Back Bumper Build

Posted: 17 Oct 2016 10:18
by iandvl
Managed to spend some time fleshing out the bumper a little on Saturday.

It's still tacked together in most places - the exception being the angles around the spare wheel.

There is a bit of warping, but I think this will be rectified when I've attached the step's backplate and tacked it together. Once that is done, all the bits so far will be going for their proper welding. All in all, I'm happy so far. It's a lot of work, but it is very gratifying.
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PS: Yes - I know it still looks very rough. After this coming weekend though, I think it will start looking "legit" (to quote Tinus :rolling: :rolling: )