ForOffRoadDriving
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2007
- Messages
- 2,715
- Reaction score
- 18
- Points
- 0
- Location
- HIGHLAND, MICHIGAN
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- FORD
- Engine Size
- 3.0L
- Transmission
- Manual
i just copied this from my build thread, but here ya go
its been a while since ive posted any updates on Thumper, but this post shouldnt disappoint! i had a four day weekend starting on friday so i spent 10-12 hours each day working in the garage to create a rear bumper for Thumper. i also wandered into the autometer book at work and got myself a vaccum gauge and a molded A-pillar mount for the gauge. it probably wasnt necessary as its just one more thing to distract me from the road, but its cool none the less. enough blabbing, on to the pics!
i started collecting steel and supplies months ago, but i was finally able to get the important pieces- the channel and the diamond plate. ive got about $100 into materials at this point.
next i lay out the general shape/ contour of the bumper using paint mixing sticks that i have riveted together end to end. they pivot to my desired angle when i hold them up to the truck and then i can put my protractor on them and find the angle that i need to make my cuts at.
now that i have my angles layed out on the smooth side of the diamond plate i can transfer them to the channel and mark where i will make my relief cuts. once the cuts are made the channel is heated and bent until the angle matches the paint sticks. this ensures that both sides match and everything will line up in the end.
now that its bent its time to see how closely it matches the diamond late layout that i made. it needed a few adjustments and then it was good for a test fit.
im happy with the shape and overall look so its time to cut the diamond plate and test fit it.
for the frame brackets im using 3"x3"x3/8" angle iron. i marked my holes and drilled them on the drill press. 4 1/2" grade 8 bolts hold each side in place.
the channel has been tack welded to the angle supports so now its time to test fit the diamond plate again. i need more metal in the back since i didnt notch the angle to fit flush with the top of the channel so i added another angle iron support which will level the plate and give it more bracing (and weight).
time for welding!
this is a pic from intermission day. i took a break from the truck and worked on terras sport trac and on my friends 99 ranger.
heres a teaser pic of whats to come
back to work, my final day off and i have to get this tire swing made! i started around 10am and finished at 3am, what a day!
time for bed....
heres how it looked when i woke up and took a pic before work