Ok, so I decided to try my hand at fabricating a rear bumper and coming up with something to kinda match my front.

I had some steel cut and had them put some rough cursory bends in.

Some of this steel is also going toward my SAS, but I measured things out and ordered it with enough to pretty much cover both projects.
The first shot is the side plates that are going to replace the chrome between the original bumper and the rear wheels...I'll be cutting the thin metal behind the chrome to make room.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper001.jpg

Some 3/8 angle, maybe brackets...I'm bouncing 2 ideas around at the moment.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper002.jpg

A 67" piece of 10 gauge that'll be the outer shell, it's rough because I'm planning on putting a few angles into it to make it look sharp and somewhat match the front.
Top step is 10 inches wide, rear is 9 inches high and it's bent in to 8 inches...if that makes sense.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper003.jpg

The 4x4x50x1/4" Box Tube I'm using for my air tank...in this shot I just cut the cap for one end.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper004.jpg

The Tube.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper005.jpg

The end caps.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper006.jpg


This piece is probably going to end up as part of the brakets.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper009.jpg

The box tube sealed with a threaded port for the quick connect for an air hose.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper012.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper013.jpg

Done with the air tank- I ground down the welds a little and cleaned it up, then tested to see if it held air...130psi and not a peep.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper014.jpg


By the way if this comes out the way I want it to- which basically means looks half decent

1 - 2001 Explorer XLT Chrome Rear Bumper
2 - Opposing side Chrome Plastic thingys

Free to a needy Local Home! First come first serve!

Ok, the 1/4" box tube was overkill, way too heavy so I opted to try an 1/8" box tube...it worked out way lighter.

The new air tank-

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-005.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-001.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-002.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-003.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-004.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-006.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-007.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumper-008.jpg

I made some cuts and I'll have to cut the welds on the old tank so I can put the new air tank in...then fab up the sides and brackets.

That's some work there!

I figure by the time I'm done with this I'll have practiced enough welding to make perfect welds for the SAS.

My welder and I are just getting to know each other. :D

I cant wait to see the end result. Its nice taking on projects such as this. Have lots of fun doing it.

I can't wait to see the finished product too...every time I get working on it I come up with something more to add... :p

Lookin cool man, can't wait to see it on the truck!

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/pictures001.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/pictures002.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/pictures003.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/pictures004.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/pictures2001.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/pictures2002.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/pictures2003.jpg

I'll be putting it on the truck in a little while...not quite done with it. I've got to put a hinge for a rear tire carrier, hi-jack mount, CB antenna mount...and a few other things...like a light guard...I'm still working it out. If anything pulling it back off to do more work will allow me to straighten out the paint job.

It has one heavy coat of POR-15 and 2 coats of Black-Coat (Chasis paint).

It's a little cheesey- looks like wrinkle paint in spots. :D

Geez...sure looks stout! Looks like it'll definitely take a beating on.:)

Thats one helluva bumper. Ill bet people will pay close attention as to not run into you :D

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpermounted001.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpermounted002.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpermounted005.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpermounted006.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpermounted007.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpermounted008.jpg

now to figure out the tire carrier...I had thought of something that would mount from the holes you see from the rear picture...

But hows it look??? I don't think it's bad for a first try... :D

I still have to reroute the hoses for the air tank...

wow that thing looks like it can take a beating, it looks nice and well mounted.

Nicely done!!

All I can say is :eek: ! I really like how the thing follows the contours of the body perfectly...just hope you don't hafta chop out your fenders on down the line.

Looks great! I'm sure it looks more balanced now with that front bumper of yours.

Actually on the 2nd Gen there's those chrome plastic skirts??? I had to cut that thin piece of metal that was behind it, but I think this is a much better deal than a cheap piece of plastic and a flimsy piece of metal. :D

Thanks!

Very nice work!

Your SAS is going to go well with that kind of fabrication skills! :eek:

:cool: Nice job, clean! so how long have you been welding?

Looks very tough! Where is your air outlet?

I hope the SAS goes as smoothly as this went...but then I've got it all worked out in my head already...I'm going to start measuring for bracketry. I'll start rebuilding the axle this week. Honestly, I have no idea where the bumper project came from- I have the attention span of a gnat! My girl says I've got adult attention deficit disorder...I'm in 50 places at one time. :D

I've only been welding since I bought the WeldPak 3200...which was fairly recent. I've used cutting torches and B-tanks in the past. This was my first major project...the only other thing I've built using the welder was a dual battery tray.

The air port faces straight down...I'm going to be putting guards on the outer sides and just outside of the hatch opening...when I figure out the tire carrier I'll route the air lines so the quick connect is accessible without reaching under...

The guards on the outer edges are going to be there to rip off car mirrors- someone left a 1" wide stripe down side off the truck while it was parked...the outer guards should cure any future stupidity. ;)

Very nice fab work.. It looks like your bumper weighs a ton!.. did you have some extra hands to help install it?

It's heavy, but it's really not too bad...next time I have it off to add stuff I'll weigh it.

The brackets, or mounts sit inside the frame rails- so once you put it in place it stays. Then just move it by hand to adjust, and drop in the bolts. ;)

Originally posted by cdsl227
The brackets, or mounts sit inside the frame rails- so once you put it in place it stays. Then just move it by hand to adjust, and drop in the bolts. ;) \


Very smart!

Ok, I don't care for the paint job so it's going to go Semi-Flat, probably Rustoleum.

I've figured out my recovery point for the rear also.

I had 2 D-Rings on the counter and was looking in the case when I saw a 2 inch receiver, I looked a little more and there was a 10,000 lb. ( I think it's 10,000) Lobster claw and the mount for it to slide into the 2 inch receiver...I liked the nasty look of the Lobster claw so- it's going to be my recovery point for the rear.

I'll mount the receiver a few inches above my add-on tow hitch, it's one of those Hidden Hitches that isn't hidden anymore because of the Body Lift. I'm going to try and stay within square of the bumper mounts since they're inline with the frame rails and that would make it stronger...but i don't want it to be too crowded one hitch right on top of the other...gotta take a hard look at it tomorrow.

Pic to come.

Por-15 is an amazing product.....Por-15 (http://www.por15.com) It would be even better if it was UV stable. I brush it on it it settles into a Glass like finish...

I noticed your pics were all of your X in the street. Do you wrench in the street? Your neighbors must love the noise when you break out the big tools...The air compressor you have would wake the dead! I am always making tons of noise and thank God my neighbors are 150 feet away..

Originally posted by DEROCHA
Por-15 is an amazing product.....Por-15 (http://www.por15.com) It would be even better if it was UV stable. I brush it on it it settles into a Glass like finish...

I noticed your pics were all of your X in the street. Do you wrench in the street? Your neighbors must love the noise when you break out the big tools...The air compressor you have would wake the dead! I am always making tons of noise and thank God my neighbors are 150 feet away..

POR-15 is great, but the ChasisCoat I put on from them isn't the finish I was looking for so I got some Semi-Gloss Alkyd, while I was at it I picked up the paint for the hood. :D That's gonna be fun.

You're right, the finish was actually nicer looking with just the POR-15! But it changes in the sun...

I'm just gonna hit it with a Scotch Brite pad on the RotoZip and then paint oover it with the Semi-Gloss.

I've got to put some work into it tomorrow to get the hitch tube in and strong...then I can slide in the lobster claw.

I also made a pair of wings for the side...I figured if anyone gets too close it'll take off their mirror (cars), but I'm not sure I want to put them on the sides, I might cut them down and weld them to the top to protect the tail lights...I put a nicely slanted X in them I think they look good, but where they'll end up who knows.

I do most work in the backyard, and not that I'm rude or anything, but F@#$ the neighbors...most of them are azzes...the ones that are cool couldn't care less what you do or how much noise you make.

I have wanted a welder for years, so I am jealous....How long did it take to learn to weld and did you learn on your own, or did you take a class?

Very nice work. My big question is are you using a plasma cutter, or that little grinder to cut that metal?

Originally posted by DEROCHA
I have wanted a welder for years, so I am jealous....How long did it take to learn to weld and did you learn on your own, or did you take a class?

I just went out and bought the welder and did one dual battery tray project and then went to town on this one.

I watched the little video that came with the welder, did some research online about flux core, mig, arc, tig...etc.

I was always mechanically inclined and used to do refrigeration, so I soldered coppper, or brazed as some would say, I've watched people weld...I've used a few Oxy/Acetylene torches to cut up cars...

But I think it's pretty easy...


I used a Dewalt 4 1/2" angle grinder with cutting wheels to cut the metal. :p I wish I had a torch.

The Rotozip I use for the Scotch-Brite pads, and cutting smaller stuff.

Ok, here's a few shots of the start of my tire carrier. I opted to go with a design that swung down instead of swinging open to the side.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrier001.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrier002.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrier003.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrier004.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrier005.jpg

It's a little rough and I have to smooth some things over, but it's a start.

The mounts are 3/8, the rails for the tire carrier are 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 - 1/8th inch box tube. The ends where the hinge portion is are reinforced with 1/4" on both sides.

Looking good still.
Why your hidden hitch dont look so hidden?
Nice X across the street.

The 3" Body Lift un-hid it. :D

But I'm thinking of cutting the end plates to tightent it up to the bumper so there's no gap.

Yeah it is a pretty X up close...he keeps it in nice shape, always clean.

Ok, some more pictures of the tire carrier being built.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2001.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2002.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2003.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2004.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2005.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2006.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2007.jpg

I'm going to reinforce by jacketing with 1/4" here and there, and then add plate in one or two places.

I weigh 180lbs, and I stood on the outer bar (top rail of the carrier) while in the down position...

Looking strong. How do you plan to mount the tire on there, as well as keep it latched in the UP position?

To keep it up, some Viagra...

no really, I was thinking a 1/4" C type bracket just on top of the bumper, reinforced with a fishplate and use some type of pin on each side, I've got rubber bump stops that I'm going to be putting just above the 3/8" brackets so if I use a C type bracket and exert force with the rubber bumpers in place I'll be able to pin it and it should hold it tight.

To mount the tire i'm not sure if I want to mount it lug side (face in or face out) in or out yet...in would be easier.

But I'm open to suggestions! I'd just rather not weld a rotor up there...

My CoryL bumper simply had a round steel plate with 3 studs bolted to it. The tire bolted to those 3 studs easily.

Is yours face out or face in...I was planning on putting a piece of plate and just welding some lugs into it temporarily since my lug pattern is going to change when I finish the SAS.


I'm trying to go the path of least modification. ;)

Originally posted by cdsl227
To keep it up, some Viagra...



nice
:D

Well, I would think that it would be better with the lugs facing out, so you would just take the tire straight off the back when need be, and wouldn't have to mess with folding the thing down every time a tire change is necessary. The brackets sound real good, especially with the rubbers to keep the vibe action down.;)

Yeah, I meant with the tire on the outside of the tire carrier, but which way are you guys facing the rim itself? Cause if you're facing it the same way as it mounts on the truck- those'd have to be some long azz bolts! I was figuring mounting it with the deep side of the rim facing out so I could use short bolts.


Some pics of the almost finished product:
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2008.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart2009.jpg

The spare mounted on the carrier just like on the axles. The psuedo rotor that it mounted to was suspended out from the main carrier so it was inset in the rim like it should be.

I think everything looks pretty cool. Kudos for you for doing something different then the rest of us. The only thing i can see that you maybe should have done different was to stick the tire mounting plate out with some tubing, so that the wheel bolts to it and does not touch anything else around it. As it is now, i can't foresee the tire mounting to it securly.

Here is a picture from the day that Cory and I built mine in his garage before he got his shop. See how it stands out like it's just being "hung" there.

I've got two choices at this point- one use about 8" grade 8 bolts and mount the tire deep side of the rim out, or mount a piece of 1/4" plate cut into a triangle so I can drop 2 lugs through it and mount it a few inches off the main plate.

I'm going to figure out something today.

I WANT A BUMPER LIKE THAT :bounce:

nice job.. made me jealous! If you ever take it off ill find a nice home for it ;)

I was thinking you could weld a section of box tubing on end to a plate, then weld a another plate ont he end of that. One end is welded to the carrier and the other end has the lugs. Make it about 4" long, and that shoudl be enough space to hold it the way it's mounted to the car.

I'm in the final stages of locking down where it's going to sit...

Anybody think it's too high???

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart4001.jpg

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart4002.jpg

Remember I'm going to be putting a 35x12.50 up there soon!

From the picture, it looks like it'll drop down another 4" without obstructing the view of your license plate. It might look a little more balanced like that.


Edit: Didn't read the last portion of your post until now.. It might look better when you toss that 35 on there, but right now that tire looks a little sad and lonely way up there.

I think it needs to come down for my taste, plus you put a 35 up there and you got it stickin up a good ways past the roof. However it is your truck and what you really like is the bottom line. Maybe look at moving your license plate and dropping it that low. Also how easy is it to get at stuff in the back with the carrier folding down like that.
Gary

I dropped it about 5 - 6 inches...I still have to tack it in place and see how it goes.

I'm concerned with stability, that kinda weight way up there could put me over the top.

I'ts not bad to get into the back about the same as a swing-away, just down...

Besides, I don't get back there all to often except when I'm going someplace and have to load it up...so it's not too bad, I'd hate have to keep openning and closing it with the 35 on there though! :eek:

The best part about the way I went with the carrier is I thought about it and I could probably convert it to swing-away without too much work.

I went a little high at first because I get rear-ended ALL THE TIME!

Now all you're gonna have to do is bring a can of spraypaint with you wherever you go.

If someone rearends you, exchange insurance info and then paint over the scratches on your bumper, right in front of their newly totalled car.

Be sure to bring a camera too, to get pictures of their faces.

Found it's final resting place, I'm much happier with it where it is now.

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart5001.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart5002.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart5003.jpg

There ya go.

Maybe you could just tac a frame or a backing plate onto the tire rack so you can mount your license plate back there.

Awesome job. I might do things the hard way and take a welding class when I go back to college. That looks like too much fun.

Yah looks a lot better now where its lower. You should think about mounting the license plate on the bumper, to the left or the right of that tow hook thingy. Good job!

Hmm I thought the tire was going to be centered and lower tha it is. I realize the tire size will change, so with 35 on it maybe it will look different. I also agree mount the license plate to the carrier that way you don't have to mess with the tire covering it. You may have to lite it though depending on your police.

I'm with Alaskanjack. You could easily fab up a license plate bracket to mount in the center of the spare rim.. why is the tire off center?

Last coupla pics till I get the final paint job on the bumper and carrier.


http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart6001.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart6002.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumpertirecarrierpart6003.jpg

I plan on moving the license plate tomorrow morning I'll probably install the claw I have for the rear also, aand some aux reverse lights, I was thinking of going with the roof rack thing I saw on one of the guys trucks.

I went off to the right because of the sag issue on the left from the gas tank.

Mine doesn't sag, but- you never know! :D

Plus, I though I could make use of the extra space- for something!?! I'm sure one of you knuckleheads will pop up with something to get me fiending again! ;)

ok I understand the sag issue/potential.. I'm just one of those symmetrical kinds of people..

Where do you pick up your raw steel, and how much $$ in raw materials did you put into the tire carrier?

Ah sag now that's thinking ahead. Maybe you could use the other side for a small jerry can, hi-lift mount, shovel/axe mount. Yes I can think of many things but with it dropping down the jerry can would be tough.

I do have one question though. If you were thinking about rear sag then why not just make the carrier smaller and offset the carrier. I too like things symmetrical.

I figured the high-jack was a definite, I'm not too hung up on symmetry, I lean more toward functional, but I thought about the jerry can too, and like I said- with the mounts the way they are- wouldn't be too much trouble to convert it to a side-swinger. ;)

And it does match up with the front nicely!

I kinda built this thing on the fly, I came to the site one night and saw a post in the 15 most recent and having the attention span of a gnat- I got side tracked from the SAS. It was a temporary lapse though. Now that this is done I've got plenty of leftover steel for the mounts and everything I'm going to need for that.

I put the final paint on today, after stripping off the ChasisCoat I put on there because I didn't like the way it looked, I wanted it to match the front bumper as closely as possible. I've got to put another good coat on in a few days and I'm done! :D

Also, mounting it off-center gives you a slightly better view out the back. If it were right in the middle, you'd be able to see nothing at all. At least this way he can see something out the back window.

Originally posted by DocVijay
Also, mounting it off-center gives you a slightly better view out the back. If it were right in the middle, you'd be able to see nothing at all. At least this way he can see something out the back window.



I totally agree with that, but I would have to either offset the carrier or add something else to it so that it appeared symmetrical. I've got issues with symmetry if you can't tell!! :D :rolleyes:

Geez, maybe I should get my eyes checked cause I can't see nothing out of the back window! Well, maybe just a little on the drivers side. :(

One more batch of pictures since all that left is to do the receiver, which won't happen for a coupla days...while I was at it I painted my hood. :D

http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7001.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7002.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7003.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7004.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7005.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7007.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7008.jpg
http://www.monstermachine.com/2001exp/rearbumper/rearbumperpart7009.jpg

Youve got a snorkel too :eek: Man that thing is coming along VERY nicely. It is gonna be bad ass man *drool*

Originally posted by Premier
Youve got a snorkel too :eek: Man that thing is coming along VERY nicely. It is gonna be bad ass man *drool*

Maybe he should give you the truck when he is done fixing it up since on the plate it says "Premier Ford".

Don't worry the Premier Ford frame comes off when the plate goes to the Tire Carrier.

Sorry nothing personal, I've been getting around to that...just didn't seem as important as the mods. I'm gonna put a frame like the one on the front on the tire carrier.

It has Ford emblems on it. ;)

and then maybe a parking/brake light.

thats one hell of a front bumper. DAMN

Originally posted by Garth
Maybe he should give you the truck when he is done fixing it up since on the plate it says "Premier Ford".

Thats the best damn idea ive heard all day ;)

Man you need some bigger tires!

Originally posted by BenS
Man you need some bigger tires!

LoL, if you click the link in his(cdsl227) signature, you will see that he is planning a SAS :eek:
Then and only then will he want to pay for "bigger tires" ;)

Those're 31x10.50-

Next step- 35x12.50. :D :D

I must say, after everything is done- you will probably have the best lookin X in my mind.... if only it was a Copper colored Sport :afro:

I didnt realize you have a snorkel too!! oh you got another PM :bounce:

Ok, so the bumper took it's first hit today. :mad:

But it took it like a champ! :D

I was in traffic and a Ford Van was just being a general Dlckhead (intentionally, if I might add), so I blew the horn :D , the Mac horn of course. When we started moving the old guy in front of me took the right lane to pass the van and the bozo in the van kinda veered right to spook him, then I took the right lane to pass the van and he tried to run me into the sidewalk and when he saw I was still there he tried to push me into a pedestrian- oh, no! Not at 8:00am when i haven't even had a cup of coffee yet!

I dove at him, the 2 azzes in the van were laughing- he dove at me- I DOVE at him enough to move him into the oncoming traffic lane (there's no traffic coming from Manhattan in the morning, so...) and whacked his front bumper with my rear bumper...then once I was in front of him- I slammed the brakes! :D

I was trying to stamp him with the 3/8 steel tabs sticking out from the tire carrier and the tow ball...but he didn't go for it. :(

It wasn't even road-rage it was simply an attitude adjustment.

I know it's all stupidity, but all I can offer is one warning- I PAY TOO DAMN MUCH FOR INSURANCE!

I have no problem with slamming somebody when they intentionally do dumb sh!t and jeopardize my safety- if there's gonna be an accident- I might as well be in control of it and YES there's is such a thing as a controlled accident.

I had one guy intentionally stripe the drivers side with his mirror one time and then drive off like nothing happened- I made him eat the tow ball and then drove off on him.

Tit-for-Tat.

Some people are such azzholes because they think nobody is going to do anything...oh, I don't want to scratch my car- that's why I'm armoring mine...payback is a b!tch!

Anybody got a little Rustoleum? :D :D

No bends, just barely a scratch.

Ya know- I started out this morning being a nice guy...but somebody always p!sses on my parade, I really didn't want any grief, but I felt much better after trading paint. :)

Now you can all bash me for being an idiot.

thats interesting. good story. I might need to get a horn like that. haha

Now you can all bash me for being an idiot. Nah! But, now I think we have a new phrase for the board members.

It'll go like this...
Yeah, this dude cut me off today on my way to work, so I did a "cdsl227 road rage combo" on him!

LOL

Good job on the home made armor!

hahahah johnstone.. that's funny stuff!

wow, matched with that front bumper that thing looks like a tank

now all you need to do is get rid of the step bars for rocksliders!! :)

Originally posted by boominXplorer
now all you need to do is get rid of the step bars for rocksliders!! :)


Yes, but big, burly, square rocksliders to match the bumpers.

Originally posted by DocVijay
Yes, but big, burly, square rocksliders to match the bumpers.

You guys just keep reading my mind. :D

Looks good I dig the front bumper. The only thing about the rear- do you do things the hardest way you can think of? I bet you have some serious time in that thing!! It turned out cool! I dig the TR front. What kid of snorkel is it?

Actually it wasn't all that hard...it went together fairly easy.

It on;y took a coupla days to get it together...I call that pretty damn good! :D

I probably would'a just bought one, but I wanted to have some fun with it, I had some built up aggression to get rid of. :p

Between all the "F's" and "S'es" things went pretty well! ;)

I followed lead from a couple of people here that already put snorkels together...it's a Safari head and 2 1/2 Electrical PVC conduit.

The link in my signature has pics of the install.

Well, it turned out great. Your truck is cool! Sounds like there is some big plans for it. I have heard of all kinds of people wanting that bumper, but I have never seen one on a truck. T/R makes some nice stuff.

I like the snorkel too. I just decided me and my Xj buddies are building them! One concern, where did you get the Safari tip and what did it cost? I appreciate it. I can't seem to find them on any websites.
Also, do you have any problems with rain sucking in or anything?

Thanks! Sweet truck!

Thanks, but so far I've just been following in the footsteps of the sweet trucks here.

And everybody passes along great info on how to get things done...

I got the head from OK 4 Wheel Drive (http://www.ok4wd.com/) the rest is 2-1/2 inch electrical PVC conduit.

They were cool at OK4WD, they ordered the head for me and it came the following week- right to my door, it ran about $75.00+shipping I think.

It has a separator (sipes) built in to remove rain...I've been caught in some serious downpours with it and never found a drop of water in the airbox when I opened it.

Oh, and I tried to get TrailReady to build me a back bumper, but because everybody avoids these trucks like the plague...it was no dice.

Originally posted by cdsl227
Oh, and I tried to get TrailReady to build me a back bumper, but because everybody avoids these trucks like the plague...it was no dice.

It's crazy huh!! I run into crap about my Explorer all the time. Nope can't mount those tires on an Explorer rim, nope we won't do an alignment on a lifted Explorer, nope we can't even sell you the tires if we know its going on an Explorer, nope sorry but they don't make any kind of lift kit for an Explorer "It's just too dangerous", you say you have a lift kit and want a part for it, even if we could get a part Management won't allow us to sell you it, Why put any money into an Explorer its got no value since its so dangerous to drive with that TTB.

Man I have heard so many of these comments that I get PO'd now when I hear someone refer to my rig as an Exploder. Every time I call for a part it's " now what was that for an Exploder", and my blood boils!!:mad:

In some cases were I know the parts are identical I say Ranger and they look at me say, wait aren't you the guy with the Exploder....Aaauuuggghhh!!

If they only knew how great these trucks really are...

There's gotta be something good to say about the best selling, all around most reliable vehicle on the road...oh yeah! I remember now!! The V8 is a 302!!! You can't beat that! :D

I've found the 302 to be the most reliable engine...I've had a 302 in like 3 Fords I've owned, and it's always a pleaser!

To the idiots that think these trucks are death traps or a rollover waiting to happen- P!SS OFF!! :D

Learn how to drive!

Just found this thread and all I can say is that I'm really impressed with the rear bumper, and your fab skills considering you just got the welder. I think I may have to pull a "Cdsl227 Bought a welder and went from there," I've never done more than brazing before but really want a wire feed/MIG machine to start fabbing.

On the rear, why not integrate a 2" reciver into the bumper? Then you could remove the hidden hitch which 1) looks ugly (sorry) and 2) kills your departure angle.
Shouldn't be too hard, even with the air tank back there. Just a little reinforcing and you'd be good to go.

Also, why not add some shackle mounts to the bumber, like the front. Those would look very good (kind of like the H2's rear bumpers) and be VERY functional.

awesome work!!!! Looks incredible!