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View Full Version : Custom Rear Bumper Started (need opinions on something) Pics Too!!!



Boston Mangler
03-18-2006, 07:03 PM
Hey Guys

The rear bumper project has begun and took a weird but possibly good turn. Curious what you all think.

I had 2 custom mounting brackets made out of 3/4" plate (can you say overkill?) and the machinist making them goofed on one of the dimensions (kind of my fault the way i had the dimension diagram drawn). These were fairly expensive to have made, so we wanted to "Make Em Work"

Here is what we did:

The hole for the D-ring mount was drilled to 1 1/2" instead of 1". I know this is no big deal and there is still AMPLE amounts of meat there to support pulling the rig if needed (the plates are 3/4"!!!!). My problem was that the hole was way too big and the D-Ring was bouncing around like mad and making a racket. Looked kind of 1/2 assed too!

Anyway, the machinist and i designed these bushing out of some poly stock he had laying around the shop. At first i thought the idea of pulling such a heavy vehicle in this manner was a little hokey, but he assured me that the poly is plenty strong enough and now i am starting to think this might turn out to be a very good thing for a few reasons!

The bushings were machined for a very snug fit both into the hole of the 3/4" plate and for the pin of the d-ring.

The theory behind this idea (besides trying to make these work) was to eliminate the loud rattling and to protect the powdercoat.

Here is the link to my little writeup:

http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/80rearbumper.htm

Here are some pics. Please give me your opinions:

The bushings shown here are just made out of some plain white stock he had laying around and also have a large diameter "shelf" to them. If i decide i want to use this method in the final design, we are going to make a set out of black poly with a much smaller "shelf"

http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/IMG_0395.JPG

http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/IMG_0400.JPG

http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/IMG_0402.JPG

Nullifier
03-18-2006, 07:19 PM
good idea but why not just leave the clevis out when not in use. It is a common theft item around here so we all just leave them off untill needed. no rattles or damage to powdercoat/paint.

Boston Mangler
03-18-2006, 07:27 PM
good idea but why not just leave the clevis out when not in use. It is a common theft item around here so we all just leave them off untill needed. no rattles or damage to powdercoat/paint.

Yes, they will not be on the rig, unless i am on a trail or similar then i will have them on (its a pain fishing through all the gear to get them when you need em, usually comes at the worst time).

This will (in theory) protect the powdercoat when in use as well.

IggyB
03-18-2006, 08:34 PM
Looks good.

Consider sanwiching the frame with another, thinner, piece of steel on the inside of the frame.

Scenic WonderRunner
03-18-2006, 09:12 PM
How nice to be able to have a truck sitting in your driveway to be able to work on.....Kevin!:o

Boston Mangler
03-18-2006, 11:25 PM
Looks good.

Consider sanwiching the frame with another, thinner, piece of steel on the inside of the frame.

Oh, for sure! :D

Already have the piece cut actually, just need to drill it!

Thanks

calamaridog
03-20-2006, 06:29 AM
Sometimes the greatest innovations are caused by overzealous machinists:elkgrin:

Black would look better;)

Scott Brady
03-20-2006, 04:50 PM
I really like that idea! reduced noise and a pretty trick look :clapsmile

blupaddler
03-21-2006, 03:15 AM
Kevin

Looks good!



Just thinking out loud here...but you might want to start consider swaping out your 863 rear springs for some 864's. With the rear bumper, rack, and the aux. tank...you're going to be really loaded down. In fact pretty much the only way you'll sit level with a full aux. tank and a fully loaded 80 will be with the 864's.

60seriesguy
03-21-2006, 03:53 AM
Don't forget the back loaded up for the trips to Baja!

Boston Mangler
03-21-2006, 12:06 PM
Just thinking out loud here...but you might want to start consider swaping out your 863 rear springs for some 864's. With the rear bumper, rack, and the aux. tank...you're going to be really loaded down. In fact pretty much the only way you'll sit level with a full aux. tank and a fully loaded 80 will be with the 864's.

Thanks Robb!

Yes, the springs will be swapped out for sure!!! Still tossing around the idea of going 4" but will most likely go with 864's in the rear and J's in the front. Considering i will have the aux tank, very heavy bumper, tire and a rooftop tent on the rear of my rig, i have been thinking of even going heavier then 864's. I need to finish this bumper, weigh it and talk to Christo!

Thanks For Your Input Guys!

60seriesguy
03-21-2006, 12:45 PM
You might also want to consider reinforcing the shock mounts. I'm not sure how strong the 80 series mounts are, but very heavy trucks wreak havoc on shock mounts when on long stretches of dirt/washboard roads. Also, you might want to think about mounting the rooftop tent towards the *front* of the roofrack to balance out the load, since that would place it between the two axles rather than directly on top of the rear one.

Also, some people complain about the visibility but if I had a choice, I would put the spare tire on the passenger side rather than the driver's side to balance out the constant weight of the driver (and IIRC, your freezer/fridge is mounted on that side also, isn't it?).

Boston Mangler
03-21-2006, 01:00 PM
Thanks Henry

I am weighing (yes, lame pun attempt) all options. I might even mount the tent sideways at the front of the rig. Still unsure yet!

Good point on the shocks, i will double check those.

As for the tire carrier. I am mounting it on the passenger side so i can us the JDM license plate relocator thingamajig and have it look clean and OEM. I will post a pic soon!

calamaridog
03-24-2006, 05:55 PM
When do we start the 100 series prototype:D

Scenic WonderRunner
03-25-2006, 03:24 AM
Kevin!

Are you really going to do a topper tent?

How in the hellsinkie are you going to climb up into that thing after you have strategically emptied your orange/red cup!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Look.....I'm watching YOU!.......hehe

Scott Brady
03-25-2006, 03:30 AM
I am really enjoying all of these 80 builds!

I like your idea of the front folding tent, which would hook into the bull-bar. Along the lines of Henry's suggestion, it starts to shift the weight over the front axle more.

Boston Mangler
03-25-2006, 01:22 PM
Kevin!

Are you really going to do a topper tent?

How in the hellsinkie are you going to climb up into that thing after you have strategically emptied your orange/red cup!!!!!!!!!!!:D

Look.....I'm watching YOU!.......hehe

:D :D :D

VERY GOOD POINT MARK!

Boston Mangler
03-25-2006, 01:27 PM
I am really enjoying all of these 80 builds!

Mee too! :D


I like your idea of the front folding tent, which would hook into the bull-bar.

I thought of hooking it to the bullbar, but as mark pointed out, it will already be somewhat of a challenge getting up there after the orange cup is empty, but even more important, my girlfriend would have a hard time with it (recent knee surgery).

I was thinking of mounting it on the front but opening from the side like this:

http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/LR3SideTent.jpg

This is another option (pic is of my favorite rig!!!), but would be more of a challenge;

http://www.yankeetoys.org/mangler/130jacksonlake.jpg

datrupr
03-27-2006, 03:33 AM
I just saw that last picture, and I could not stop the drool. Now I need a new keyboard.....DAMNIT!!!!!!!!