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Which is Stronger

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Sep 9, 2005.

  1. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Gonna make a bumper. Is 2x4 "C" channel 1/4 thick stronger than 3/16 2x4 square tubing?? If i use channel i do not have to worry about sealing it up for the lights, and i was going to make a swing out portion off the channel. I am just wondering what would be stronger for the swing out portion. I would guesst the spindles for the swing out.
     
    DanStew, Sep 9, 2005
    #1
  2. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    The tubing is gonna be stronger simply because its boxed, round would be even stronger.
    Dan, I would just box the sections where the swing out is mounted.
     
    Mcruff, Sep 9, 2005
    #2
  3. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    so use channel and box (gusset the section i will have the spindles?
     
    DanStew, Sep 9, 2005
    #3
  4. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    One cool part about the tubing is you can hide the attaching bolts - do like the Cross bumper and weld 1/4" pads where the bolts go in, then tap and thread all the way through. Bolts then go in from the backside.

    Though I suppose you could do the same thing on the gussets.
     
    Boyink, Sep 9, 2005
    #4
  5. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    i am not bolting it to the crossmember, it is actually going down the frame rail.

    Actually which is heavier?
    I should have asked that first.
     
    DanStew, Sep 9, 2005
    #5
  6. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Oh...why not do both?
     
    Boyink, Sep 9, 2005
    #6
  7. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    i am probably going to stick to the way i had it with the old bumper. i will have it bolted to the rear crossmember at the mounting point for the pintle hook in the middle. This will be done with a rear flange that will be welded to the reese hitch that will come out fro mthe center of th ebumper. makes for a nice sturdy bumper. I dont trust the stock crossmember. and my crossmember had the sides cut off at the frame
     
    DanStew, Sep 9, 2005
    #7
  8. wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    You can close up the ends of the C channel too. Give the appearance of box steel.
     
    wheelie, Sep 9, 2005
    #8
  9. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    i will defiantely do that one. :)
     
    DanStew, Sep 9, 2005
    #9
  10. Ghetto Fab.

    Ghetto Fab. Member

    I used 2x4 tubing for mine and it worked out ok. I originaly just cut slots in the tubing so I could pass some 1/2" x 3 1/2" plate through the tubing and bolt them to the frame rails. The other ends of the plates have 7/8" holes in them for recovery shackles. This way no forces from pulling on the shackles gets transmited to the tubing.

    My only problem with the tubing was when I made the swingout tire carrier. I used the common trailer spindle method. Unfortuneatly a large tire puts a lot of leverage on the mount and mine would allways vibrate, sometimes violently. After 4 attempts I finaly solved the issue by making an upper mount and latch that ties through the body into the rear roll cage. It seems the tubing was flexing just a bit in between the frame and trailer spindle. You may want to reinforce this area before you bolt it on.

    Kevo
     
    Ghetto Fab., Sep 13, 2005
    #10