3" BL rear bumper brackets???

[BonesDT]

i cant figure out how to raise my rear bumper 3". i figured i could just make some flat brackets raising it 3" but then i noticed the frame and bottom of the bumper are in the way. can someone help me out? it would be great too if someone has an autocad of the brackets so i can bring to a shop. thanks.

 

[Isles4evr]

I have some pictures of how I did it, so I'll look for them and scan them for ya. But basically I used the bracket that came with the kit 3" extension bracket and then notched my frame where the bumper was going to hit. Everything bolted up fine and it looks good too. The front bumper was more of a pain than the rear, I thought.

Chris

 

[section525]

If you want your bumper to be perfectly level you're going to have to either notch your bumper or frame. There's pretty much no getting around it. I didn't doing any notching.. but I'm satisfied with the looks of it.

If you search for 3" body lift brackets and the user name "Robert".. he made some nice drawings he posted here awhile back.

 

[yob_yeknom]

You do have to make some flat brackets. And you just have to notch your bumper where the bracket would hit it, no way around it. Notching the bracket would weaken it. You will also have to notch the top of the frame so the bolts to the bumper will fit and notch the stock brackets of the bumper so the bolts to the new bracket will fit. Its only removing a little from the corners, so it doesn't weaken anything.

 

[BonesDT]

hey monkey boy, do you have any pictures or diagrams to show me. im confused about what your saying.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Let me see what I can do...

 

[yob_yeknom]

I know, I know, I'm not an artist!!

These are by no mean accurate is size or exact shape, but they look generally like this. They're good enough to give you an idea of what you need to do.

Just make a flat bracket out of some steel to lift the rear bumper. (I used 1/8" thick) Just mark where you need to drill the holes to match the frame, then measure 3" up from those holes and drill 2 more to match.

 

[yob_yeknom]

The way they bolt together stock. They don't stick out from each other like that, but it made it easier for me to draw them and be able to show you what I'm talking about that way.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Mounting the 3" lift bracket to the frame. As you can see, the top edge of the frame rail blocks the bolt holes in the new bracket. It needs to be cut so that the bolt can go through to the bracket.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Simply cut off the top corner. You don't have to cut off very much, so it won't weaken the frame or anything. Don't forget to cut not just enough for the bolt to go through, but also enough for the head of the bolt to be able to sit flush against the bracket. The frame is strong, so you will need a cutting wheel or a plasma cutter. I don't think using a cutting torch will make a cut that won't affect the strength of the frame, and you can grind on it forever without getting anywhere.

 

[yob_yeknom]

The stock bracket attached to the bumper causes the same type of problem.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Another similar cut and viola!

I suggest letting the place that makes your brackets do the cuts. They have the correct tools and can make the cuts in no time at all. Just show them what you need done.

 

[yob_yeknom]

I think I drew the way they attach inside-out. The lift bracket needs to go on the outside of the frame and the stock brackets on the outside of the lift bracket. The cuts will still be the same as shown though.

 

[BonesDT]

yea thanks, i understand what you were talking about cutting the brackets.

i noticed that the drivers side bumper bracket mounts on the inside of the frame because of the tow hook. but the passengers side bumper bracket mounts on the outside of the frame. at first i thought i wouldnt be able to use flat brackets but because it seems the factory bumper brackets are the same distance from each other than the two frame mounts, that i can simply just put the new straight lift brackets on the outside of both the frame and the factory bumper bracket. am i right?

i noticed that the frame also wont fit inside the bumper when its lifted. what kind of cuts do i have to make to overcome that problem?

where could i go to get the brackets made and the cuts done? i was just going to make the brackets myself. are there tools i could buy or rent? my university also has a small machine shop but i hear their machines arnt too powerful.

 

[yob_yeknom]

You can make the brackets yourself. All you need is some flat steel, a hacksaw, and a drill. It was just easier for me to have the shop that welded the front of my frame for the front bumper (I think this is the safest way, and don't know anybody else who has done it) do it while I was there.

The stock brackets going to the bumper are adjustable. You can loosen the bolts holding them to the bumper and slide them to line your bumper up correctly.

Just cut some notches out of the bottom of the bumper where it will hit the brackets. You won't notice them once installed.

 

[BonesDT]

hey thanks a lot. can you really cut through 1/8"-1/4" steel with just a hacksaw? alright, im going to get some steel, a hacksaw, and a sawzall, and get this thing done.

 

[yob_yeknom]

I used a cutting wheel the first time, the second time the shop did it with a power hacksaw.

 

[BonesDT]

alright, i got my 1/4" brackets made up, and at first i figured i would just drill a hole where the bolts would hit the frame and the stock bracket. but then i noticed that the real problem is that the stock bumper bracket and the frame get in the way of each other and cant be lined up flat. im hesitant about doing the cutting cuz it seems like the cutting necessary to clear them will leave very little metal next to the bolt holes. should i just find some 1/4" thick washers and fill the space created between the frame and new brackets caused by the stock bumper brackets?

 

[BonesDT]

Originally posted by yob_yeknom
I think I drew the way they attach inside-out. The lift bracket needs to go on the outside of the frame and the stock brackets on the outside of the lift bracket. The cuts will still be the same as shown though.

or, duh, now i understand this. or i could do this.

 

[BonesDT]

what did you use to notch the bumper? sawzall blades seem to thin to make a nice thick cut for the frame to fit in.