Attachment Points on Offroad Bumpers

[RangerX]

I'm making a bumper (in time for Moab!) out of 4"X4"X1/4" steel tube. I need your ideas on attachment points for straps etc. when offroad. I've been using the receiver hitch under my stock bumper, but that's getting removed permanently for clearance. I should've looked at Rick's, Paul's, Matt's etc. bumper hookups at Truckhaven. I'm thinking something other than tow hooks. what do you suggest?

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Bill Collins
93 Ranger XLT 4X4
Modified

 

[Tom Wilk]

Bill,

How about tow hooks mounted sideways? With a bumper that thick, you could weld them on, I'd think. Or, mount them so that they point up instead of down. I know what you mean about ground clearance with the hitch; I have the same problem.

You could also use some U-shaped bolts mounted to the back of the 4" X 4" bumper with a 1/4" backing plate inside the bumper for added strength. They'd have to be pretty thick bolts.

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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[mattadams]

Mine works a bit different - it doesnt really have tow hooks or anything but it does have a place you could loop the tow strap around. Hopefully this will work, I don't have a really good picture so this might work (I'll try to find a real picture once I get home tonight).
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That's the basics of my bumper. The tow strap loop can be wrapped around the longer end of the bumper (the top) then run around one of the center dividers (preferably one with smooth edges so it doesn't snap the strap). We've only had to use it once on Dave's bumper (at least while I've been with him) and he has the same configuration at mine, seemed to work ok except we ran it around the wrong post and the strap snapped. If I can't find any good pictures I'll show it to you in Moab.

OK so it didn't work, I'll try to find a picture Dead Link Removed.

Matt

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Matt Adams
94 Explorer 4-door nick-named "Tippy" http://bart.is-s.com/~explorers/explorer/explorer.html

[This message has been edited by mattadams (edited 04-13-2000).]

 

[Bob Saf]

Take your class 3 hitch and cut off the 2" square part where you attach the hitch. You could weld it under the bumber or cut out the center of the bumber 2" and side in the hitch part and weld it. You could you that for pulling, towing, and winch attachment. I have also seen spare tire rack for the hitch.

Bob S
1994 xlt 4x4 4dr
class 3 hitch front and rear

 

[Maniak]

Bill,
I don't know if you ever looked under the bumper that I made for our explorer (blue 92 with bright green roof rack)but I used a 2x3 piece of steel as the bottom tube of the bumper that ended at the outside edge of the frame. I mounted the tow hooks on the outside of the frame using the holes that holds the bumper on. I used grade 8 bolts and the hooks are sitting sideways. The only issue I have run into the the holes I made in the bracket are positioned so my tow hooks angle up. This means without the extra clip on the tow hook a tow strap could fall off. After I make the rear bumper I may remake the fron bumper.. each time I make a new bumper my welds get better..

I did make the bumper a two tube design with the top tube going all the way across and partially around the side but I found with the short bottom tube that I have increased the approach angle quite a bit.

I also mounted the high lift on the front (only becuase I can't fit the 60" jack in the truck easily). I'll put it on the rear bumper once it is made..

In case my ramblings don't make sense.. here is a picture of the frnt bumper.

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Mark
mark@legendz.com
http://mark.legendz.com
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