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Off-Road, Slid into a tree.
- Thread starter csmicfool
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Yeah that is what I meant.
The brackets bolt on to the brackets that are welded on.
Removing an explorer bumper is so easy it is sad.
I would only replace the weld on brackets as a last resort.
Try heating them up red and then beating them in shape.
DO NOT quick cool them. Let them cool naturally.
It may take a few attempts go get just waht you are after.
The best results will be obtained through cutting and welding, however that is much more work. With time and patients heating and bending will be just as good.
It all depends on your level of expectation.
Don't forget to recoat the bare matal !!!!!!!
The brackets bolt on to the brackets that are welded on.
Removing an explorer bumper is so easy it is sad.
I would only replace the weld on brackets as a last resort.
Try heating them up red and then beating them in shape.
DO NOT quick cool them. Let them cool naturally.
It may take a few attempts go get just waht you are after.
The best results will be obtained through cutting and welding, however that is much more work. With time and patients heating and bending will be just as good.
It all depends on your level of expectation.
Don't forget to recoat the bare matal !!!!!!!
Doug
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*chants* JasonB JasonB. he's the coolest guy ever takin his bumper off for everyone. Hey I don't suppose you're selling that winch along with the locker are you? 
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you know me.. i'll take my bumper off for just about anything.
the winch is going on the samurai. hmm.. not sure if a 9500lb winch is strong enough though.
the winch is going on the samurai. hmm.. not sure if a 9500lb winch is strong enough though.
csmicfool
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slow-ass freight shipment
ok, I just got the shipment containing my new bumper and reinforcement. I'm going to try and get the project done between my 12:50 class and my Chem lab this evening. That's about 3 1/2 hours max that I can spend on this. I can see that the bumper wont take me more than 5-10 mins to get off, but then I have to take it apart so I have all the hardware I need for the new one plus align the fog lamps and ****. Without help I'm guessing that should be enough time- now if only I could find some time to wash her.
-Are there VIN numbers on any part of the bumper that I should look into "writing down for future use." I am changing insurance companies, and there may be an inspection involved.
ok, I just got the shipment containing my new bumper and reinforcement. I'm going to try and get the project done between my 12:50 class and my Chem lab this evening. That's about 3 1/2 hours max that I can spend on this. I can see that the bumper wont take me more than 5-10 mins to get off, but then I have to take it apart so I have all the hardware I need for the new one plus align the fog lamps and ****. Without help I'm guessing that should be enough time- now if only I could find some time to wash her.
-Are there VIN numbers on any part of the bumper that I should look into "writing down for future use." I am changing insurance companies, and there may be an inspection involved.
csmicfool
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jasonb said:winch is going on the samurai. hmm.. not sure if a 9500lb winch is strong enough though.
I have an image in my head of a 3000lb samurai hanging from a highway billboard - about 15 feet off the ground.
csmicfool
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I took everything apart a couple hours ago and got started. The passenger side Bracket which is welded to the frame was badly bent. It was pulled forward slightly on the outside and crimped back far enough in the inside to make it difficult to get at the 18mm nut with a cresent wrench.
The parts I got are a pretty good match- had to use all of the old bumper hardware like screws, anchors and plasti-rivets. The only thing I need to do is maybe dremmel out the plasti-rivet holes on the new reinforcement. So far that's the only real problem; the bent bracket is bent so far that it's almost completely out of the way of the bolt that is supposed to go through it. So i dont need to bust out a welder and cutter today.
Has anyone had experience with removing and replacing this welded part? It looks tricky and I could use some advice.
The parts I got are a pretty good match- had to use all of the old bumper hardware like screws, anchors and plasti-rivets. The only thing I need to do is maybe dremmel out the plasti-rivet holes on the new reinforcement. So far that's the only real problem; the bent bracket is bent so far that it's almost completely out of the way of the bolt that is supposed to go through it. So i dont need to bust out a welder and cutter today.
Has anyone had experience with removing and replacing this welded part? It looks tricky and I could use some advice.
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yeah, as a matter of fact I did a pair on a Ranger a few weeks ago.
I covered the front end to protct every thing.
The welds are only on the top and the bottom.
I used a cut off wheel ( whizz wheel ) to weaken the weld as much as possible.
Try not to go hog wild. Keep the cut as thin and in the center of the weld as possible.
Once the weld was 98% cut I banged it off with a hammer.
THERE IS a left and a right and an up side and down side.
Instal with caution.
The bumper ends will fit on snugly and may even need a few taps. You should have the old weld still on the rail to help let you enow where it goes.
Fit the bumper up and see how it looks.
Adjust accordingly in neccissary.
Remember the face should be as perfectly vertical as can be.
If it is good weld it up.
It is also a good idea to disconnect your battery, both terminals, before welding on a frame or body.
Let the welds cool natrually and then spray with undercoating.
Let the undercoating dry before you put the bumper back on.
I covered the front end to protct every thing.
The welds are only on the top and the bottom.
I used a cut off wheel ( whizz wheel ) to weaken the weld as much as possible.
Try not to go hog wild. Keep the cut as thin and in the center of the weld as possible.
Once the weld was 98% cut I banged it off with a hammer.
THERE IS a left and a right and an up side and down side.
Instal with caution.
The bumper ends will fit on snugly and may even need a few taps. You should have the old weld still on the rail to help let you enow where it goes.
Fit the bumper up and see how it looks.
Adjust accordingly in neccissary.
Remember the face should be as perfectly vertical as can be.
If it is good weld it up.
It is also a good idea to disconnect your battery, both terminals, before welding on a frame or body.
Let the welds cool natrually and then spray with undercoating.
Let the undercoating dry before you put the bumper back on.
csmicfool
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MONMIX- do you recommend welding or heating and smashing? Which will give me the best results. Also, if you do recommend you first suggestiong of heating and smashing, what kind of torch would work? All I have is a small butane/propane torch. But then again, I don't have an Arc welder so either piece of equipment is something I need to find and borrow. Is there some place that rents arc welders and torches?
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It depends on how bad they are bent.
Butane / propane will not get the brackets hot enough. It will have to be oxy / acetelene. This stuff is dangerous if you don't know how to operate thses torches do not mess with them.
You may be able to find a weldor or a welding shop who will heat them up and watch you beat them around.
Butane / propane will not get the brackets hot enough. It will have to be oxy / acetelene. This stuff is dangerous if you don't know how to operate thses torches do not mess with them.
You may be able to find a weldor or a welding shop who will heat them up and watch you beat them around.
MONMIX said:
I'm a welder myself (make parts for Honda and Ford) and I don't mess around with torches. I don't know of any shop that uses torches. I dont know of any place that would heat something up just so you can beat it.
glfredrick
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?????
You guys make it sound like you have a bomb just waiting for someone to lite the fuse...
Torches are fine if you just understand what they do - learn the rules - and follow them. I've been using them for over 35 years for multiple tasks related to auto work and I can't even think about doing car work (especially fabricating and modifying parts) without one.
Most shops do have a torch set BTW. They would be lost without one...
Too bad you aren't closer to me - I'd have those frame horns pounded out in a couple minutes...
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yeah that was my point exactaly.
If you don't know what you are doing, don't touch them.
If you know what you are doing they have a zillion uses.
If you don't know what you are doing, don't touch them.
If you know what you are doing they have a zillion uses.
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