3rd gen bumper questions.

[koda6966]

Are these the right bolts to pop this sucker off?

I'm taking it off to prep for paint, and I have no clue which bolts are what. I'm just gonna put an old chunk of a 2x6 in it's place to keep the cops happy. Woods better than nothing eh.

Also, I plan on using a wire brush with my drill to take off the old paint/rust. But there's oh so many varieties of "paint removal" items at my local Kmart.

Which one would be best?

First one would be best in my opinion for the paint and rust, but I've heard it takes a good chunk of metal along with it too. It's a nice stiff coarse wheel.

The second one would be best for the paint and getting into the dips and curves of the bumper, but I don't know if it would hold up to the rust.

And the third I haven't gotten a chance to really look at. It seems like a softer version of the first one.

 

[koda6966]

Bump.

I wanna get this pulled this weekend. I'm preparing the 2x6 "bumper" now.. just a little insurance in case I need to run somewhere next week.

 

[oldjohnny]

Wow, that winter road salt takes a toll on the body. My Bumper Bracket is still strong as new, while yours is scrapping off little by little. Thank God we only get one freeze a year.

Maybe you should look into getting new brackets. They are somewhat cheap. As far as getting the bumper down, I think there is one more bolt at the top of the bracket. I'm not so sure because it's been a while since I been down there. My bumper is doing the "hang" thing like a lot of 3rd gen, and I've been meaning to straighten out, but I haven't gotten around to it.

 

[koda6966]

Meh, the bracket will hold good enough for me.

Right now I'm just concerned with getting that dang bumper off.. I know it's only about 4 bolts if I'm remembering correctly.

On another note, I finished my wood bumper today. Didn't have any 2x6's laying around that I could chop quick so I took some old "fake log cabin" siding that we have a bunch of (makes good bonfire wood) and cut a chunk that was 5'2" in length. It was a little weak feeling from being weathered and slightly rotted so I nailed a piece of plywood to the back for strength. Then as I was looking at it I realized how badly the people at school are gonna laugh when they see I have a wood bumper, even if its only on for a week, and I decided to ad a little witty saying to it. I'll post pics up when I get it mounted to the truck. Should be a while, I'm not taking the other bumper off until I get some paint and a wire wheel ready for the old paint and rust.

I'm just going to spray paint it with some Rustoleum Gloss Black. And probably do the same to the wiper arms since they have barely any paint left. To keep everything matching, I'll do the mirrors and the grill up as well with some Krylon Fusion. Probably just going to scuff them up a little and spray a couple coats on.

 

[koda6966]

Alrighty. Got under it and looked, and it seems that there's four bolts holding it on, just closer to the middle. Those ones pictured don't even attach to the frame like I thought they did. That's just a support thing I guess. No rust on the other bolts at all Although, that could just mean it was replaced at one point in time, which I would believe based on the damage it looks like this truck has taken over the years. Damn drug runners.

 

[93_RangerSC]

I would use the 2nd one..that one most likely wont rip up the metal as bad as long as your careful.the other 2 look basically like a grinder wheel which would prob end badly

 

[koda6966]

Stopped in today, they didn't have any of the second one at Lowes, Walmart, or Kmart. So I picked up a smaller, softer version of the first one. I'll just be careful when I'm taking the paint off. Basically, I just want to try to stop the cancer before I need a new bumper. Good news is, this one came with two disks for the same price as just one of the regular ones back when they had them. I need to find a 9mm wrench to finish tightening the bolt though, it's still not where it should be and will grind into the metal. I got it slightly tight with a pair of vice grips and a 9mm socket/screw driver thing. Can never get tight with those though.

As soon as I get paid I'll have some spending money for Paint. Right now I'm just taking care of the bumper and wiper arms. The grill and mirror can wait till later. I'm going to paint them to match so the bumper doesn't stick out so bad in a gloss black.

 

[graff104]

Hmm a wood bumper That sounds like fun. I want a picture for sure.

 

[koda6966]

I'll post it in my build thread located here.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38711

When I get it put on. Hopefully if everything goes as planned, it will only be on for a week. But if the weathers bad, or if I need to slap some filler on the bumper, it will be on for at least two. I'm praying that it will only be one week though, and that I won't need to do any bondo work.

 

[koda6966]

OH.
And when I do this paint and rust removal.. should the bumper be wet at all? I know this will cause a lot of heat probably. Water might help it keep cool.