sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
yeah, you have to be careful with my truck. If you look at it too long without a welding mask, it's sexiness will burn your retinas and you'll have to put potatoes on your eyes the next morning.
Build Thread: Sixstringsteve's 2002 Tacoma double cab: Carlos
- Thread starter sixstringsteve
- Start date
It was potatoes or a bottle of booze. I wanted the bottle but the wife said no. I was surprised that those were the only two home remedies I could find on welding forums.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Work has been so stressful lately. It's been nice to just come home and lose myself in the garage. I spent a lot of time working on the bumper tonight. I don't have much to show for it, but I like what I have.
A good friend let me borrow his band saw. I love this setup. The table is from swag offroad. This will be my next tool. Fabricating is so much more fun when you have the right tools.
The evening was spent building these recovery points.
I mocked them up and realized they sat about 1/2" too high. I like the look of the shrockworks recovery tabs, so I'm going for something more like those.
So I trimmed off 1/2" and they were just the right size.
Then I tacked them on so I could finish fitment of the front plate tomorrow. I'll burn these in with a big welder since they're 3/8" plate and my little 110 welder can't handle it. Slowly but surely it's coming along. You may notice I also clocked my free spool lever. It fits well in this location, and it'll be easy to access.
A good friend let me borrow his band saw. I love this setup. The table is from swag offroad. This will be my next tool. Fabricating is so much more fun when you have the right tools.
The evening was spent building these recovery points.
I mocked them up and realized they sat about 1/2" too high. I like the look of the shrockworks recovery tabs, so I'm going for something more like those.
So I trimmed off 1/2" and they were just the right size.
Then I tacked them on so I could finish fitment of the front plate tomorrow. I'll burn these in with a big welder since they're 3/8" plate and my little 110 welder can't handle it. Slowly but surely it's coming along. You may notice I also clocked my free spool lever. It fits well in this location, and it'll be easy to access.
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sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
and here's a pic I found of the elite offroad bumper. They claim theirs weigh 95-110 lbs. That means mine will weigh about 400 lbs. 
Posted for reference to help me design mine. I think I spend 90% of the time designing it in my head, and 10% of the time actually executing my plans.
Posted for reference to help me design mine. I think I spend 90% of the time designing it in my head, and 10% of the time actually executing my plans.
airmanwilliams
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Provo, Utah
looks good so far steve. if I bring my bender over can you make me a bumper too
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
No, but YOU build one with my tools.
You gotta start somewhere. My first creations weren't anything special, but they taught me how to use my tools. Besides, I REALLY suck with a bender. Big time.
You gotta start somewhere. My first creations weren't anything special, but they taught me how to use my tools. Besides, I REALLY suck with a bender. Big time.
airmanwilliams
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Provo, Utah
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Cool, that's a good looking bumper. Simple bends too (except for the stinger thing)
glockman
I hate Jeep trucks
- Location
- Pleasant Grove
Steve, the bumper is looking really good. I have been thinking that stand and a portaband will be my next tool purchase. Right now I have to cut everything with a grinder, it sucks. I might make the table though. Anyway, bumper is looking good.
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Porta-band + SWAG table = awesome fab tool. I've been using mine to make the cuts on the exhaust pipe for my truck and it's been great!
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
I got a bit more done today. Thanks to Frieed for letting me use his big welder.
I figured out a good way to mark complex lines over multiple angles using a rubber band.
I finally got the front plate cut out and mounted where I wanted it.
Then I ran out of wire. I'll have to finish the welding up tomorrow.
It's taking a ton of time, but it's really turning out nice. I'm very happy with look and fit so far. Hopefully the wings go on quicker.
I figured out a good way to mark complex lines over multiple angles using a rubber band.
I finally got the front plate cut out and mounted where I wanted it.
Then I ran out of wire. I'll have to finish the welding up tomorrow.
It's taking a ton of time, but it's really turning out nice. I'm very happy with look and fit so far. Hopefully the wings go on quicker.
D
Deleted member 12904
Guest
That's always the way it goes. The only time I run out of gas or wire is when I'm making real progress.
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
Thanks Bart, its coming along.
- Location
- Draper, UT
You should have said something last night, I have a 10lb roll you could have taken with you.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
It was midnight when I ran.out. I wasn't too anxious to resole the.problem then. I usually have a backup roll.
sixstringsteve
Well-Known Member
- Location
- UT
They're 3/8". Do you think I should double them up?
I would if you ever have to do any kind of side pull I think you will bend them pretty good, FYI every bumpper I make I use 1" thick shackle mounts and plug weld them from the back side of the bumper as well as grind a decent size chamfer in the base of them when welding them on