[Inv4drZm]

I have my front bumper and skid plate files still on my computer somewhere, hopefully. If not its easy enough to remeasure and remodel.

Been thinking about redesigning using either 1/8" AR plate, or hybrid steel frame with replaceable aluminum (6061?) panels for skids and front bumper.

Front bumper is currently all 1/4", could shed 70 lbs in front and 30lbs underneath. An 1/8" AR plate bumper with aluminum panels should weigh roughly 50lbs.

Might be a good winter project, and brother currently sells DIY toyota bumpers on his website (Iconic Fabrication) with AR plate as an option, could work in some sort of deal.

[aemravan]

I still want to go hybrid both front and rear on mine for weight savings … I love the Coastal bumpers.. but man .. they are solid steel…


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[Inv4drZm]

Rough design so far but more or less matches my current bumper but with plate wings instead of tube wings. And 1/8" AR plate will be plenty strong and 70lbs lighter than my 1/4" steel bumper. Thinking about Diode Dynamics 30" lightbar plus their 2" amber SAE lights for each side. I can't afford Baja Designs lightbars lol.

[4RunnerAquasport]

Originally Posted by Inv4drZm

Rough design so far but more or less matches my current bumper but with plate wings instead of tube wings. And 1/8" AR plate will be plenty strong and 70lbs lighter than my 1/4" steel bumper. Thinking about Diode Dynamics 30" lightbar plus their 2" amber SAE lights for each side. I can't afford Baja Designs lightbars lol.

Not very many of us CAN afford BD lol. The Rigids I have do the job well enough.

[Inv4drZm]

Mostly done, should weigh 73 lbs. Can't decide on triple hoop or single hoop.

[aemravan]

Single hoop if it were mine .. looks great though !


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[Inv4drZm]

Figured out I could weld aluminum with my mig machine without a $500 spool gun. This is 3/16" 6061 I had lying around, using 100% argon (tig) gas. More testing is needed to see if I can weld 1/4" aluminum, I'm at max wire feed speed already. I figured out 1/8" steel bumper at my work's cost is roughly $75 and a 1/4" alum bumper is $220. Was thinking to weld a 3/16" or 1/4" aluminum bumper to daily without a winch, and keep the winch in a heavier steel bumper ready to install for offroad trips a few times a year.

I have a tig machine and can weld aluminum, though it takes more skill, harder if out of position, and will take forever to weld a bumper together. That's why mig makes sense to me and I believe its what bumper mfg's use on aluminum.

Rough weights for a flat top bumper:

10 ga steel 78lbs
3/16" steel 110lbs
1/4" alum 47lbs
3/16" alum 36lbs
current 1/4" bumper 140lbs

[aemravan]

I've been meaning to get into aluminum welding.. I would absolutely LOVE aluminum bumpers over the current steel ones front and rear... I probably stand to save like 400lbs worth of weight if I switched to an aluminum bumper set...

The other options for a bit less weight savings would be a hybrid bumper setup.. which is probably a bit more realistic for me..

[Inv4drZm]

Originally Posted by aemravan

I've been meaning to get into aluminum welding.. I would absolutely LOVE aluminum bumpers over the current steel ones front and rear... I probably stand to save like 400lbs worth of weight if I switched to an aluminum bumper set...

The other options for a bit less weight savings would be a hybrid bumper setup.. which is probably a bit more realistic for me..

I think I've decided to get an 1/8" mild steel bumper cut out at work. Test fitup and make any design improvements.

Then have it cut at a real shop that has access to 1/8" AR plate.

Brother has made a few FJ bumpers from the stuff and supposedly its crazy strong. Very high price fluctuations but currently he says its reasonable.

I don't really want to deal with welding aluminum.

[Inv4drZm]

Went offroading for the first time in a few years (other than during a few backpacking trips). I got stuck in the mud until my rear air locker decided it would work.

[Inv4drZm]

Test welded some 1/4" 6061 aluminum, which in some ways is stronger than 3/16" steel. Mig welder didn't do so great but tig was much better. Could make my bumper or buddy's Tundra bumper out of the stuff I think. Welder is maxed out at 200 amps. 6061 is stronger that 5052 that normal aluminum bumpers are made from but the sheets can't be bent, it would crack.





Backside hints of penetration to the right of the tack weld.

[Inv4drZm]

Replaced the starter in my 4.7 Tundra after it sitting over the winter. Harder than I anticipated due to the air injection system the 05+ Tundra's have. Had to reach my hand between the engine and the firewall for 2 long bolts, not fun.

Buffed all my headlights too, and fixed a skid plate/exhaust rattle under the 4Runner. Noticed a CV boot clamp came undone and messed up the finish on my King coilover.

Getting close on my 2014+ Tundra bumper design for my buddy's truck.

[aemravan]

the starter is the one thing I hope stays alive until I'm ready for an extensive rebuild (or swap).. I don't have the secondary air injection, but having to do any work on this thing sitting as high as it does, and having the coastal bumper, is an absolute nightmare.. I would very much prefer to just yank the motor out and then work everything on a stand.. (or just drop an LS into it )

[Inv4drZm]

Originally Posted by aemravan

the starter is the one thing I hope stays alive until I'm ready for an extensive rebuild (or swap).. I don't have the secondary air injection, but having to do any work on this thing sitting as high as it does, and having the coastal bumper, is an absolute nightmare.. I would very much prefer to just yank the motor out and then work everything on a stand.. (or just drop an LS into it )

I was this close to buying or building a topside creeper. Would have prevented me from stepping on the coolant temperature sensor and having to replace it lol. Either that or unbolt the motor and slide it forward a few inches would have helped too.

[4RunnerAquasport]

The 2UZ starter is no joke. At 6'6", I have an advantage, but I still had to lay down on the fender and core support with my feet off the ground.