There are many advantages when you have your very own massive looking car bumper especially when it is located at the back. It makes drivers following you think twice of making moves to or around your car. They get too close; they may regret doing such a mistake. If you think creating these kinds of bumpers need skills of a professional to make one, then, you should reconsider. All you have to do in order to create your very own Do It Yourself rear bumper is a little bit of welding skills, the fundamentals in using fabrication tools and the knowledge in using the initial requirements.
The obvious first step is the removal of the pre-installed bumper by unbolting it from the supports. Then you hold it in a straight edge until the flanges on the support. Mark the support flanges from either side. This will be your sign which part of the bumper lines up with the rails. Cut at the marks vertically. This will flush the bumper or the flanges and be in line with the frame rails which assure a perfect fit.
Next is to cut the bumper designed for heavy duty six inches wider than the vehicle. You may think about having two assistant helping you with this project. They will hold the bumper and align. Do not rush this step. Make sure that the bumper is exactly where you would like it. Then you put yourself in the best position to properly weld it in place. Aim at the bumper’s rear to the backside of the support flanges. But if you do not have assistants to help lift the bumper, it may be wise to use C-clamps to hold it in place.
Using 1x3 tubing, get them into four sections; six inches in length. Hold two of them at either side of the flanges; imagine a sandwich. This will act as a stronger support because of the added weight; it might not be feasible to leave the flanges as it is. Connect the supports to the bumper by means of welding. Do the same for the other side. Then you are going to drill around two to three half inch holes where you are going to insert bolts and washers to provide firmer support, at least temporarily. Grind the welds of the flanges. You may unbolt the bumper as of now, but remember to keep it that way once you attach your license plates.
Leave a mark which will indicate the center of the bumper. Trace the sides of the license plates and add another one, ¼ inch further from the first lines. You should also measure the top and the bottom of the license plates. Leave a demarcation half an inch from the front view of the bumper. Cutting out these demarcation will leave you space at the center of the bumper where the license plates can fit.
Steel plates measuring around an estimate of 5-3/4 inches by ½ inch will be used to fill in the gaps between the bumper and the license plates. Make sure that the fitting is clean. Use a grinder to cut of edges which protrudes from its edges. Weld the remaining steel place on to the face of the bumper.
Use end-plates which measures around 6 by 2 inches and weld them at the bumper’s edges. Cut the excess and weld around the bumper to make sure that the plate is fitted tightly. Remove the bumper and continue with the welding. Flush the welds by grinding them. Coat and seal the bumper to protect it from any rust. Make sure that they spray that you are using is top of the line.
Place the bumper back on to the rear of the truck, slide it onto the rails of the frame and re-install bolts and washers. If the holes and bolts do not align, it may be best to use a hammer to stick it in. Use a blue thread locker before installing the nuts. This makes sure for a tight fit.
Lastly, consider adding more support at the recesses of the license plates for stronger support. This will also provide much needed rigidity.
By reading this article, you must be able to think what really goes into making a bumper. NADA Guide does not provide any information about the truck in the guide but may be in future you might see them in NADA Guide. Let’s hope NADA Guide brings something for the American truckers in the coming years to help them just like NADA Guide helps its customers in buying cars, boats, RVs and even motorcycles.
