YJ bumper build

[Wide-J]

Since I dont actually have any rear tow points, I figure I should build a bumper. Heres what Ive got. I am using 2x4 3/16" boxed tubing for the bumper itself. For the reciever hitch, I am using 2 1/2" square tubing with 1/4" walls. The support ring on the reciever hitch is 3" square with 1/4" walls.

Here is the bumper template I have made up. It is 57" wide.


I taperd the ends of the bumper.



Welded in the plate on the taperd end of the bumper.


Grinding down the welds to clean the bumper up.


Heg stopped over to lend a hand. Using the air grinder with a less abrasive disc, hes smoothing everything out.



I ended up cutting the notch in the bumper for the reciever hitch. It is going to be a little different that you may have seen before (hopefully). The reciever will be almost flush mounted to the bumper. The pin that retains the hitch or d-ring will be behind the bumper. I think it will give it a cleaner look than a reciever that sticks out 4 inches. Tomorrow I will be heading back out to continue to clean up the welds and work on the hitch. I will be removing the factory rear bumper/crossmember and making brackets to bolt the bumper directly to the frame.

[Buffalo Phil]

And with the welder, comes custom win.

[cheerleader]

Looks good, can't wait to see that mounted up.

thanks for welding my slider too.

[CSaddict]

looks great Steve. A heads up, try to broach the weld inside the 2 1/2 before getting it all situated. Its easier to do it in a vise. I used a carbide tip on a die grinder and it went fast. Nice welds.

[Wide-J]

Okay, so I went out today and worked on the bumper some more. I completed the hitch on it. I used 3" 1/4" wall for the outter trim ring of the reciever, and 2 1/2" 1'/4" wall for the reciever itself. I removed the welded seams on the tubing and fully welded the trim ring to the reciever and made a 3/4" hole for the hitch pin.


I welded the reciever assembly to the bumper now. I didnt want it sticking way out and decreasing departure angle, so I left it sticking out 1/4 inch so I could get a nice weld on it.


As you can see, the hitch and hitch pin are behind the bumper. I didnt have any clearance issues since there is no gas tank back there.



Using a 1/2" extention as a mock hitch pin, you can see I still have clearance to easily put the pin in.


Pretty much completed bumper. I still need to make the mounting brackets for it and install d-ring mounts.

[cheerleader]

the little extra cutting was worth it. It looks a lot nicer that way than it did with the reciever sticking way out. I see you were able to knock out the weld bead in the 2 1/2inch too, awesome. sorry i forgot to leave the hitch pin. lemme know if you need help mounting it or anything... i'll bring beer this time.

[Mr. Jeeperz]

looks good man

[kracker]

looks good steve!!

[Dr. Thunder]

sweet! looks good

[Rico]

Sick mang

[Wide-J]

Its definately not 100% but Im pretty happy with it for my first bumper project.

[Wide-J]

I had a $50 gift card from 4wd.com so I just used it to purchase a reciever d-ring shackle bracket, d-ring and hitch pin. That way Ill have it all for Mabell this weekend.

[Dr. Thunder]

88yj said:

I had a $50 gift card from 4wd.com so I just used it to purchase a reciever d-ring shackle bracket, d-ring and hitch pin. That way Ill have it all for Mabell this weekend.

awesome, don't forget to tie it in on both sides

[rckrdyxj]

Steve, my detours rear bumper has the pin behind the bumper and it makes a world of difference in clearance and how clean it looks. That looks really good steve, i just wish i had a welder to play with so i could get better at welding and making stuff. Nice work.

[KtmRacer419]

lookin PHRESH

just wondering, do you plan on towing with a lifted,longarmed yj on 37" iroks?