What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Bumper Build Thread

joshthemule said:
IN case you haven't noticed, I haven't done a thing to the bumper in a few weeks. I'm assembling parts to build the swing out tire carrier but its slow going. Not sure if you heard but its redonkulously cold up here this week so I'm avoiding the outdoors as much as possible. So, here is the really exciting yet depressing news. My wife gave my the ok to buy a tube bender now that I've cut and welded 6 of the angles I could have bent. Oh well, it will still be strong and the next one I build will be bent in those places. The offer still stands to build one for any of you at cost. I just want the practice before I try to sell one and make money on it. I've got several ideas to refine the build and make it stronger.
Click to expand...

Josh, your wifey have sister available?:D
 
stockk5 said:
i also don't have a tubing bender but i made a stinger for my bumper by cutting slots in the tubing almost every 1/8th inch then i bent it around a tree and welded it up ground it down and then a tiny bit of bondo and it came out great. I think it works great for a bumper application! here check it out this is w/ a 4" angle grinder

CIMG1494.jpg
Click to expand...
bad ass. how thick is the plate the d rings are bolted to?
 
Finally got the gumption to do a little work this weekend. I pulled it off and capped the ends then cut and laid on the diamond plate. I didn't finish welding the plate because I'm getting low on gas and I need it to last the weekend. Here are a couple pics.

IMG_1624.jpg

IMG_1627.jpg

IMG_1624.jpg

IMG_1627.jpg
 
What are you trying to figure out on the clamp? I'll try to get a pic for you of what I used if you want. It's a De-Sta-Co brand clamp. I think it was this one.
http://www.reidsupply.com/Detail.aspx?ID=TC-371-SS&BI=

I mounted it vertically to pull the swing arm down to the bumper. I used a stainless wuick link for a 3/8" chain and an eyebolt to hook to.
 
I've got a clamp from McMaster Carr, I'm just trying to figure out exactly how to mount it. I was hoping to mount it diagonally so it holds the arm down and closed. Its a 2000 pound clamp so I think it will do the trick. Do post a picture of yours so I can see how its mounted.
 
Man its been cold but today it was so warm, I had to get out and work.

So, I fixed the clamp on the swing out arm and finished welding the diamond plate. I'm going to take it in tomorrow to get sand blasted.

IMG_1776.jpg

IMG_1778.jpg

IMG_1779.jpg

IMG_1780.jpg

IMG_1776.jpg

IMG_1778.jpg

IMG_1779.jpg

IMG_1780.jpg
 
Looks good. I would consider a catch or something on the end of the bar the loop hook goes over to keep it from possibly sliding off.
 
You can't see from that angle but I did grind a groove in the back side so the hoop to ride in. Its a pretty tight latch. I can't imagine it sliding off. I guess we'll see. I just dropped it off at the powder coater this morning. I need to get some steel to finish the tire carrier. No one in my area carries round tube so its a pain in the ass to get it. Most people don't even know what it is. I had one guy quote me 4.50 a foot. I asked him if it was god plated.
 
Josh. Are you going to just put a tire back there or tire and gas cans? I would like to know what would work best with the weight on the hing. To have the tire close to the hing and a gas can out by the latch or vise versa. I suppose it matters how much each weighs and the heavy one goes next to the hing.
 
Finally I got some work done. Its been so freaking cold and I've been pretty busy at work but I got some serious progress done this weekend. The main bumper is at the powdercoater so I'm waiting till its back to weld the tire carrier to the swing arm but I got the carrier finished for the most part. here are the pics. I got to use my new tube bender and notcher. The only significant mistake was that I menat for the center gusset to come all the way to the tire mounting plate but a minor miscalculation in my measuring landed it a few inches short. Oh well, the structural intent is met and I think it will hold the tire just fine. Here are the pics.

IMG_1838.jpg

IMG_1839.jpg

IMG_1840.jpg

IMG_1842.jpg

IMG_1843.jpg

IMG_1838.jpg

IMG_1839.jpg

IMG_1840.jpg

IMG_1842.jpg

IMG_1843.jpg
 
nice work. bet it weighs a TON! where did you get the mounting plate?
 
Josh, without having to go through 8 pages of posts what model of bender and notcher did you get? Thanks.
 
The mounting plate I got from RuffStuff Specialties. ($27 shipped)

The bender I got from Trick Tools. Its a JD Squared Model 3.

I would say the whole thing without the tire is going to weigh about 150. I can put it on myself without too much strain.

In other news, the powercoater called and I'm picking up the bumper today. I'll post pics
 
actually, it probably weighs about 350 and it just seems light to me. :wink1:

BTW Colby, I was just checking out your build and that is some awesome work. I've had about 5 bugs over the years. Those are almost as adictive as wheel'n
 
joshthemule said:
I've had about 5 bugs over the years. Those are almost as adictive as wheel'n
Click to expand...

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say that. :wink1: It's a fun car, but I have no interest in working on it. I will be stripping its paint off and doing some body work and paint to it this summer, but... I'm far from addicted to the VW. :D My wife loves it tho.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom