Steel thickness for offroad bumper

[CAN-03runner]

I have access to some square steel tubes and some angled steel that is getting thrown out at work. It comes in different thinknesses.

What is the minimum thinkness that I should be looking for to scavenge from that pile?

Being square, does it make it stronger than the same thinkness if it is just flat plate or angled?

Is there a thinkness size that is just simply over kill and not worth the extra weight? I'm talking about some of the angled steel?

 

[Gerdo]

The mounts on my front winch bumper are 1/4" and 3/16". The winch mount is 3/16". The rest of the tubes are 1/8" (.120).

My rear: The mounts are 1/4", the main beam is 3/16"x 2"x 4", the sides are .120 tube with 16awg sheet.

The rear main beam is beefy because it has a tow hitch built into it. My recovery points are as close to the frame mounts as possible.

Remember that the frame attachments probably need to be beefier than stock due to the recovery points. My rear bumper utilizes the 8 factory trailer hitch mount bolts plus two more thru bolts, all on the frame. This is especially true of the front. Most front bumpers are attached to withstand an impact, bot be pulled on. I rebuilt my frame ends to withstand winching and yanking.

 

[CAN-03runner]

I checked some of your other posts and the lilskip site for a better view of your bumper. Square tube looks not bad at all as it is. What I am envisioning is creating a basic steel bumper to the front frame. And then covering it with the stock chorme bumper of my 1st gen.

The chrome bumper will probably need to be cut in 3. One for the front, and 2 pieces on the extremities since the bumper will probablby angle in. In my mind it looks nice. :wink2:

I don't think I have seen that. I've seen the trail gear winch mount bolted to the front fo the truck, and the stock chrome bumper left on the front with some cutting out around the winch.

 

[fourwd1]

3/16 or 1/4 if you want them for armor, less if for show.

 

[Gerdo]

Think about this. Most sliders are made from 1.75" OD .120 wall. They take a beating and hold up well.

Most skids are 3/16" sheet and hold up fairly well. The bigger the plate the more it will tend to bend. The more ribs and sides, the stronger it is.