your thoughts on my cad designed bumper...

[91ROKKRAWLER]

I designed a bumper on a cad program (Google Sketchup) and was looking for opinions on if i should go ahead and get it built asap or redesign. My buddy will be the one building it for me since I do not have the tools or anything, having just moved into a new house with no shop...

Bumper alone

Bumper + Carrier

Bumper + Carrier Loaded

 

[YBCold]

good job i forgot how to use cad

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

google sketchup is better as far as how easy it is... its free too

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

Well anyone got any ideas on things that could change?

 

[RockRanger]

Not a fan of the hi lift setup. I don't think it is to the right scale. If it is then you have a spare that is 50" in Diameter. I would check out Brian1 bumper build. He has alot of cool stuff done to it. Usually hi lifts mounted like you have them end up sticking way up above the body.

Other wise I like it. Wish I could do drawings like that.

 

[cybergasm]

looks good and alot like mine

you gonna rigged any supports for the sides?

 

[YBCold]

i dont care for sketch up had the first version. i miss using cad. i have autodesk 04 on bootleg.

 

[manaen]

maybe it's jsut hard to see with the scale problem however, the only thing I see of concern is that you have a lot of weight hanging on one very small hinge point. Usually people will make dual hinge points with some type of gusset or extra brace to hold the weight of the tire/gas/highlift etc..

 

[Maniak]

How strong is the 2" receiver going to be? I don't see any extra supports on that.

~Mark

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Nice, I'm going to learn how to use CAD software next year in my engineering class. Looks good.

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

Well i know the tire, hi lift, and jerry can are mis-scaled. I plan on doing supports for the frame tomorrow morning and try to rescale everything. Is flat welding the dring tabs ok for the bumper or should i space them and incorporate them with the brackets? Thanks guys and keep checking back as bumper progress and more drawings are to come...

 

[manaen]

honestly I think I would bolt the d-ring clamps on with some high grade 8 or better carriage bolts. It will be a more forgiving connection. A weld would be fine if setup properly however a surface weld can make the metal too hard which will tend to crack when stressed. A bolt connection will bend/stretch when stressed up to it's breaking point.

Maniak brings up a great point....
Take a good look at some class IV hitches before you incorporate a receiver into your bumper. You will notice that all of them are bolted to the frame in at least 3 places with a very wide bracket to spread the load. You need to consider this and make sure that you are not mounting to the stock bumper mount point. Your mount needs to spread the load over a wide area of the frame using heavy gauge steel. Also structural welding like this should not be performed with standard wire. You need to make sure you have enough amperage and a good low carbon welding rod/wire on a good clean surface. Most small 110v welders are not capable of these types of structural welds. But I don't know what your friend knows or doesn't know so I just wanted to point that out.

 

[Brian1]

I would check out Brian1 bumper build. He has alot of cool stuff done to it.

I would have to agree LINK

Make your d-ring tabs pass through the entire bumper and weld to the frame brackets as well as the front and rear face of the bumper.

Support that hitch with gussets. Are you planning on using it to tow? You will need a place to hookup the trailer chains which also would act as a gusset.

Trailer spindle hinges are bad for bumper hinges and I dont like them. If welded improperly your tire could depart from your bumper at the worst possible moment. I have personally seen 2 break and heard of more.

Move the gas can mount to the far side of the hinge and then move the angled tire support as close to the hinge as possible for strength.

 

[DB_1]

Looks a little blocky for my taste...I'd move the receiver up then angle the bottom half in towards the frame. I don't see the need for the D-ring holders if you have the receiver.

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

I plan on getting a small offroad trailer, so yes i'll be towing. Maybe i'll just do the hitch and skip the d rings. Whats everyone using for a hitch? 2x2 tubing? A bought sleeve?

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

also what is the best way to do the hinge?

 

[RockRanger]

I plan on getting a small offroad trailer, so yes i'll be towing. Maybe i'll just do the hitch and skip the d rings. Whats everyone using for a hitch? 2x2 tubing? A bought sleeve?

Harbor Freight sells reciever tubing. Most local steel yards have it as well.

also what is the best way to do the hinge?

Look at Brian1 bumper build. He has the best hinge I have seen.

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

I glanced at it but will you give a better look brian? Not sure what i'm doin, my first major fab will be the carrier which is my part of the bumper build? Should i get my buddy to weld some flat into the 2x6 to mount to?

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

ok well that bumper was way too boring...

my newest ones will be built asap by me. I will be gettin the steel the 30th. will take pics as well.

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

will be 3/16" plate steel built with the clevis mounts from atozfabrication.com. modeled after the hanson winch bumper. hansonoffroad.com .

question is what is the best way to do a frame mount? the ARB i just sold was using the stock brackets and was very flimsy when used for high lift jacking purposes... should i add a third hole for stability? I plan to to a xmember for sas and may bolt to that.

bumper pictures to follow, from the 30th on...