Rear Bumper Fab

[Mat R]

OK, well now that that bending of all the metal tubing for my front bumper is coming along nicely, I'm starting to draw up plans for a rear one.

I'd like to integrate a trailer hitch into the bumper, but I'm worried about it being able to handle the weight. I noticed that quite a few of the Explorers on here have trailer hitches, and I wanted to see if anyone has had to reinforce the bumper or add more attachment points to the frame. Anyone have any ideas?


Thanks,
Mat

 

[Alec]

I have a hitch ball in the factory hole in the rear bumper there for that purpose. I've pulled some fairly heavy trailers, even a 16 footer filled with metal desks. As long as you attach your custom bumper like the factory one, you should be fine.

 

[rpenner54]

Your best bet is to look at trailer hitches on other trucks and then try to take those designs and incorperate them into your own. The key is to keep the bottom of the hitch level with the bottm of the bumper. So your not always scraping it when decending and acending hills. The one I got for my explorer comes on and off with about 4 bolts and stays off the majority of the time. I just put it on there if I need to tow something. I would like to make something that is higher up and out of the way yet just as strong but I have not had the money to do this for a long time. Plus its low on my list of to-do's.

 

[Mat R]

Thanks,

Ya, I actually already have a trailer hitch, but it is way to low, and looks awkward with my body lift and since I'm making a back bumper I figured I might as well include one.

Mat

 

[93SPORTIOWA]

lift

hi mat this doesnt really apply to the bumper but i noticed that you now have a 5.5 lift are you selling the 2.5 lift if so i may be interested

 

[Mat R]

I already sold the 2.5" lift, and the guy took it on the CCR run and blew three of the shocks along with a tire! Sorry

Mat

 

[Gofast]

Ouch!

That must have been poor RobbieJ. I knew about the tire and at least one of the shocks. Bummer. Nice truck though.

 

[Eagle]

Superman

MAT R I have some questions about the bumper you are making. What is the material you are making it out of and how are you bending the steel? I wanted to do something similar but could not figure out how to make very intricate bends. Are you using some sort of machine? Is so what is it and were can I get one. Thanks.

 

[Mat R]

To make my bumpers, I'm using plain old pipe. I had started out trying to use some galvanized stuff or something like that, but it kept crimping on bends... I've had the best luck bending with just the thick pipe, using various sizes depending on where I'm putting it.

Initially I was making my bends with my dad's hydralic pipe bender(picture a hyrdalic floor jack rigged to bend pipe), but his is an el-cheapo made asian piecer and the shoe that makes the bend expanded, so I'm going to have to rent a heavier duty one for the rest of the bends.

It's pretty difficult to make "intricate" bends, pretty much the most I'm doing is 90 degree bends for the front corners... When I'm finally done with all the bends I'm going to Tac-weld it all together.

Mat