Front receiver and skid plate fab.

[Otis413]

I made a front receiver to mount my winch to.

One of my helpers....

More help.

A diagram of the bolt on receiver plate.
CORRECTION! the notch for the receiver tube should be 1 inch deep rather then 1 1/4 inch deep, at 1 1/4" the top of the receiver tube just touches the bumper valance panel. The diagram below has been updated.

An old gas tank skid plate from a Bronco II modified to make a front skid plate, I still have to attach it to the suspension cross member.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Really nice job! Thanks for posting the measurements too.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

How many bolts are holding that thing to the front frame crossmember?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

How many bolts are holding that thing to the front frame crossmember?

Assuming the four holes in the bottom line up with the factory tow hook mounts I think 6. I am not overly familiar with that generation of truck though.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Assuming the four holes in the bottom line up with the factory tow hook mounts I think 6. I am not overly familiar with that generation of truck though.

I thought the tow hooks were bolted to the bottom of the frame rails (horns) originally?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I thought the tow hooks were bolted to the bottom of the frame rails (horns) originally?

You know what they say about assuming...

He made it look so good I figured it mounted where the tow hooks mounted and then on the front too. Like I said that style of truck is not my strong point.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

After Googling FX4 photos, the hooks originally mounted to that crossmember, which seems like a bad location to me, but then again I'm a guy that can bend or break any Ford frame known to man..

 

[Otis413]

How many bolts are holding that thing to the front frame crossmember?

Six. The tow hooks (loops?) had three mounting bolts each side, I just used those holes to mount the angle iron. I welded the original tow hooks to the bottom of the angle iron and removed the top mounting point and the other two welded on nuts. so the tow hooks are welded and bolted on.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't trying to pick apart your fab skills man. I comment like this on a lot of things, usually just to make people aware that something should be a little stronger. Especially when it comes to winch/tow points, suspension parts, chassis parts, steering and brakes, etc..

I just see a LOT of hokey fabrication work online. Some people shouldn't own power tools or a welder. lol

When you've been a welder/fabricator for most of your years on earth, it just comes naturally.

 

[Otis413]

Don't get me wrong. I wasn't trying to pick apart your fab skills man. I comment like this on a lot of things, usually just to make people aware that something should be a little stronger. Especially when it comes to winch/tow points, suspension parts, chassis parts, steering and brakes, etc..

I just see a LOT of hokey fabrication work online. Some people shouldn't own power tools or a welder. lol

When you've been a welder/fabricator for most of your years on earth, it just comes naturally.

Oh, no problem, I was just trying to explain what I did. (should have taken more pics) To tell the truth I'm scratching my head on how to brace things up a little, that crossmember might not be up to what my 8000 lb winch is capable of.. The winch was originally on my '90 Dodge 4x4 work truck, at least till I rolled it over a hill....
Anywho, anything worth doing is worth overdoing! And yes, some people shouldn't be allowed access to power tools.

 

[Ranger850]

01 Edge front crossmember with tow hooks. DS slightly bent

 

[Otis413]

With the bumper re-installed. The top of the receiver tube touches the valance panel, so I edited the diagram in my OP to lower it by a quarter of an inch.