New Front & Rear Bumpers/Tire Carrier

These are the bumpers i built for my 71 CJ5. i designed them myself, but obtained the ideas from several different styles and ones i had seen here. I made the bumpers from 3/16 " HRS plate, using some pieces of 2x2 1/8" wall sq tubing for reinforcement. Hope you like them.

I used a bumper from an 83 CJ7 for the platform of the front bumper. i welded the holes closed to keep water and other debris from entering the inside where it would rust. the added on bumper measures 3inches wide by 4inches tall.

I welded in some 2x2 1/8" wall tubing inline with the frame. the hooks will be welded inline with the tubing. hopefully to keep from possibly tweeking the frame when i get into serious trouble.

Bumper after welding. i wasn't able to bolt the bumper to my frame while i welded it, so i stiched welded it. checked after welding, nothing warped.

Bumper after grinding and sanding.

I added 3" to the right side of my new rear crossmember. probibly didn't need it since i welded a 4" piece of plate to it, but it must have bothered my enough because i added it.

Finished rear bumper. built exactly the same as the front, except it measures 4" wide and 4" tall.

i used an 1 1/16" trailer spindle i picked up at Tractor Supply Company. i had a buddy at a machine shop i used to work at machine the spindle hub for me.

The latch i used was a piece of scrap 2 1/2" sq tubing left over from the recievers i placed in the bumpers. i cut off one side of the tubing, and welded a piece of plate on top. used a 3/8" bolt to hold everything togeather. it works extreamly well. haven't been able to try it on the road, but it holds strong and doesn't move or rattle at all.



Finished rear bumper and tire carrier. i couldn't find a spot i liked for a couple of Jerry cans, but i might mount them on the sides of the body. not sure where i am going to mount them, but will find a good spot for them.

because of years of rust, i had to replace the front boxing. rust was seperating the joint, so i cut it off and replaced it.

i fabricated this new piece. i drilled the holes so moisture could evaporate, and the powder coat guys could get there gun in and finish the inside.

i built this to hold the rear axle while i placed a locker in it and painted it. it works really well. accept for the very ends, i am able to clean and paint everything prior to bolting it back underneath the frame.

 

Working on my axles has been a real pain (literally). I'd love to see more pic's of your axle rotisserie!

Nice work on the bumpers!

 

Nice idea

 

Thanks for all the comments.
As for the axle rotesserie, it is nothing more than an engine stand i picked up at the local Tractor Supply, and a piece or scrap plate. The stand is the heavy duty 1250 lbs one. I bolted the short end on the axle to the plate to help keep the weight closer to the plate, less leverage. Just in case i place a board under the other end to help hold it up when i am not working on it.
I am a welder by trade and almost finished with an Associates Degree in Welding and Fabricating, so that has helped me alot. I think they could have been better, but my own personal mig welder dosen't have the "oomph" as the ones we use at work. I lost count how many times I set off the tempurature saftey switch. maybe when i get some extra cash i can get a more powerful one.

 

That explains those welds. They look beautiful. In fact I noticed them first before I even began figuring out the bumper design.

Nice job!

 

Nice work

With your light source it makes those pics turn out different and the last one looks like a scale model for some reason . Maybe because of my lack of sleep.R)

 

No, it's the lighting. I converted our old pole barn into a small shop, and the only lights i have are a 500w flood light at the far end of the shop, and another 500w work light i use when working on the bench. For reference, the shop is 24ft x 32ft and the flood light is 15ft off the ground. It casts one hell of a shadow.

 

Nice bumpers and welds. I agree with getting a welder with some more oomfh! The higher the duty cycle the better. We use Arc and Tig at work and they are good for what we do. Too bad we cannot use MIG. This is faster and cleaner but our environment is too dirty for the application. Oh well. Nice bumpers and welds again.