The Red Runner Front Bumper Build
- Thread starter Myrunr2010
- Start date
Myrunr2010
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WiscoDisco
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you did it with the harbor freight welder too???! That's what I made mine with, however yours looks much better than mind does :thumb:
Myrunr2010
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Other than a drill for a few holes, this was all I used
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buccaneerbandit
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bumper
I think when you started your rear bumper post I questioned if you were ready to take on the project. I was obviously wrong lol. Both look awesome!
I think when you started your rear bumper post I questioned if you were ready to take on the project. I was obviously wrong lol. Both look awesome!
Myrunr2010
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Lol, thanks! They were definitely a lot of work. I estimated that each one took roughly 40 hours.
Myrunr2010
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Myrunr2010
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I actually don't think I mentioned it in this one since it was just picking up with the leftovers from the rear bumper. It's a little thicker than I had originally desired but I found the sheet at the scrap yard and got it for a great deal on it. I should be able to return my leftovers and get a decent amount back. All that being said, it was 1/4" steel.
Myrunr2010
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I started with the first one. I think it was 6x9 when I bought it, maybe 4x9. And the second one is what I'm left with after doing both the front and rear bumper.
Edit: it had to of been 4x9 or it wouldn't have fit in the trailer width wise.
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animator
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Seeing all those cutoff wheel scraps makes me happy I invested in a oxy/fuel cutting setup, and will be investing in a plasma soon.
They are definitely worth it. I don't miss the days of burning through cutoff wheels..
animator
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Just don't use those tabs for pulling anything with any real weight on it. I don't think a 120v harbor freight flux core welder will get any sort of good penetration on material that thick.
I certainly wouldn't trust my life on it.
Myrunr2010
New member
Seeing all those cutoff wheel scraps makes me happy I invested in a oxy/fuel cutting setup, and will be investing in a plasma soon.
They are definitely worth it. I don't miss the days of burning through cutoff wheels..
I think I went through something like 30 of them. I had a few loose ones from the rear bumper, and then bought three 10 packs and have a few left. I used them down as far as possible too.
Myrunr2010
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It claims it can weld up to 3/16". I imagine if I were to ever pull something and it come off then so be it, not super concerned with it.
animator
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Those tabs are, what, 1/2" or more? Well past the range of a 110v welder. The problem is it just doesn't produce enough heat to properly fuse the thick tab to the plate on the bumper. The welds may look good, but look at the backside of the plate--the penetration will be minimal, and when it comes off, it's likely going to come off while being used for recovery. That might send a shackle, strap, and remains of that tab flying forward into the rig of whomever is doing the recovery, or into anyone standing around watching. If you're OK with that, then please disregard this. I'm not trying to be overly critical at all, It's just a concern for safety.
I have a plate bumper that I've 90% welded with a lighter 110 welder, but am saving the major structural components like mounting brackets and recovery points for a big 220v unit.
Myrunr2010
New member
Yeah I agree that my machine probably doesn't produce enough heat to get the type of penetration one would desire, but without doing some form of NDT, it would be impossible to tell. I would wager a bet that the stock recovery points on the 4Runner would shear the bolts off before my tabs ripped off.
