Question for you guys with custom-made bumpers!!!

[BigTex]

Bryan, that's alot of help. I will also eventually get a winch. You mentioned "winch options". Since I don't have a winch to measure, what should I do to the bumper now to make sure that I can put a winch in it in the future?

Thanks in advance for your help, and I hope to see your pics soon.

<font color=red>"Maybe you could drive better with that cell phone up your azz?!!!"</font color=red>

 

[BigTex]

Actually Greg, I've heard the same thing about welding to the frame. I've read in I think all of the offroad mags that welding to the frame will weaken that particular section. I don't have any experience in that, though so I wouldn't be able to comment, but I do appreciate all comments and input.

<font color=red>"Maybe you could drive better with that cell phone up your azz?!!!"</font color=red>

 

[TwoCrowsDesign]

Aw hell, don't take it as criticism - think of it as experience sharing! Shoot, we don't criticize here at ck5, 'cept maybe Furds and Heeps!

Have a great day!


John

 

[85m1009]

You can check out my bumpers on my website. I welded mine in place across the top and bottom. Did not weld vertically due to weakening the frame.

<font color=green>Steve Frisbie</font color=green>
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.mooffroadoutfitters.rockcrawler.com>www.mooffroadoutfitters.rockcrawler.com</a>

 

[Grim-Reaper]

Bolted. I have seen stuff welded to the frame fail. My truck had a welded on trailer hitch when I bought it and the frame cracked. Bolting also gives you the option of easily removing it if you ever want to change something.
I personaly feel that welding in these frames is a last resort deal. Meaning if you crack around the steering box it needs to be welded.
Welding dissimular metals is something best left to a PRO welder with plenty of training and experience. The frames are tempered steel and welding a peice of mild steel to it is a trick. Usualy if your the average shadetree welder the rule of thumb is to weld only simular steel. Leave the funky stuff to somebody with more knowledge. It reqires either some cooling time or to be quenched with water or oil. Might be an issue where you have to preheat with a torch before welding. That is stuff that experiance teaches you. Then we can get into stuff like Welding rods if your a stick welder etc.


It's not my damn planet monkey boy!
<a target="_blank" href=http://communities.msn.com/OffroadK5s>communities.msn.com/OffroadK5s</a>
75 Jimmy, Dollar
79 Chevy Blazer, Her's
70 Chevy Burb
Grim-Reaper

 

[laketex]

I contend that welding to your frame is not the end all to the world. Like WK said, take your time. Stitch weld it and let it cool in between. Mike, you brought up an excellent idea of bumper attachment through the plates and angles. That's the treatment mine will prob see now, thanks. Especially after the spring hangars, it's pretty much do as you want. fore and aft of the hangars, you really ought to watch it and don't weld to the frame unless you have to. For safety's sake, I'm sure Grim is right. If you aren't comfortable welding in the situation, don't do it. Also if you preheat the area with a torch as he said, it will ensure a better bead, just don't get too much heat on there. Vague enough? I've seen welds break everywhere, not just bumper to frame, but roll cages, sides of brush bodies, ect. Your weld may LOOK really pretty but if you can't get good penetration, leave stuff like this to the PROs.

That said, I've got a Warn 8000i here that's my dads and I'm trying to talk him out of. I measured that and am using its dimensions when I leave space for a winch. You might get on the manufacturer's web site or call them, to find out the exact dims for the winch you want so you can make your own plate.

Bryan

Sherman, Tx
<font color=red>THE OFF- ROAD GOES ON FOREVER AND THE PARTY NEVER ENDS!!</font color=red>

 

[hawglet]

Well I guess so, since I own neither of those two and probably wouldn't admit it, around here anyway. I'm happy with the K-5 thing, my previous vehickle was an s-10 with the gutless 2.8, never buy another one of those damn things again, it got worse milage than my current k-5 does with 400 ci and 30 the HP.


Thanks, (in advance)
Hawglet
[email protected]

 

[FRIZZLEFRY]

30 HP!!But how much torque??What are the specs on this beast?

A balanced diet is a beer in both hands.<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/beaterwhang>community.webshots.com/user/beaterwhang</a>

 

[hawglet]

sorry I meant to say 30 times the HP, and as for torque it's probably about 300000 times the torque.....ha ha


Thanks, (in advance)
Hawglet
[email protected]

 

[FRIZZLEFRY]

I figured that .I was just being a smart ass

A balanced diet is a beer in both hands.<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/beaterwhang>community.webshots.com/user/beaterwhang</a>

 

[CV202]

Too bad I wasn't able to convince Ranch Hand to make a bumper for K5's on my last TX trip. They wouldn't even consider making an adapter. Maybe if we all start harrassing them....

Why do people keep calling it a Bronco!!!!!

 

[88 jimmychanga]

[ QUOTE ]
Too bad I wasn't able to convince Ranch Hand to make a bumper for K5's on my last TX trip. They wouldn't even consider making an adapter. Maybe if we all start harrassing them

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what I'm saying!!

I'd love to have a Ranch Hand rear.

Which TX store were you harrassing? I'll join in on the effort. /forums/images/graemlins/deal.gif

 

[okie k5]

I don't know about ranch hand bumpers. I haven't seen a single one which did not stick out at least six inches from the vehicle. That's worse than what came on them. I know there tough and all, but they have to be when you are gonna scrape them just driving around town.