Let's talk bumpers...

[86Wag]

Aftermarket ones, in particular. How many of you have them, and what are the pros/cons to them? I am working on making a front bumper and I have an idea for what I want, but I figured I'd throw it out there to those that have off road bumpers already

[thomastenn]

look on bjs offroad looks like good designs

[misfittom138]

We made mine out of some 2x6 steel with front and rear reciever hitches. I wanted to be able to use a cradle mount winch at either end. And I have a solid spot for a tow strap at either end.

[86Wag]

I'd like to make something big enough for the front that a winch could fit into, kinda like the Ramsey bumpers

Also, for shackles, is just welding a pair on strong enough for what is typically done? The only kind of wheeling I've done thus far I haven't worried about it, but I'd rather not rip the shackles out/off some day.

[CHEW246214]

if you rip a shackle off believe me you wont forget it...a buddy did that while trying to be pulled out... flew straight through the tailgate of a ford truck into the back of the cab at lightening speed all you heard was a pop, crash, saw the tow rope go slack then glass shatter... If you even question your welds, get a pre-fab one from a good outfit..just find the style you like...and with the cost of metal and tubing today is it really worth building your own??? Just a thought....

[misfittom138]

if you rip a shackle off believe me you wont forget it...a buddy did that while trying to be pulled out... flew straight through the tailgate of a ford truck into the back of the cab at lightening speed all you heard was a pop, crash, saw the tow rope go slack then glass shatter... If you even question your welds, get a pre-fab one from a good outfit..just find the style you like...and with the cost of metal and tubing today is it really worth building your own??? Just a thought....

It's always worth it!

[86Wag]

if you rip a shackle off believe me you wont forget it...a buddy did that while trying to be pulled out... flew straight through the tailgate of a ford truck into the back of the cab at lightening speed all you heard was a pop, crash, saw the tow rope go slack then glass shatter... If you even question your welds, get a pre-fab one from a good outfit..just find the style you like...and with the cost of metal and tubing today is it really worth building your own??? Just a thought....

I work in a metal fab shop

I am definitely not concerned about my welds, just wasn't sure if it was taboo to weld your own shackles on or something. Seems like it would accomplish the same task as buying a set, but for much less money.

[billyrb]

one of the biggest mistakes people make when winching / using a tow cable / tow strap is that they don't put a towel or shirt on the line. You take a towel (full size) and drap it over the line at the mid-point (loose, don't tie it or secure it)......then, if the cable breaks, hook comes loose / shackle breaks / etc., the towel dissipates the tension on the line, and it tends to pretty much fall onto the ground, rather than whipping like a fishing line. Most winch mfr's recommend that method. Just a heads-up.

[cttandy]

I had a winch cable snap on the trailer winch once. I had forgotten to put anything over it. It snapped, flew right between the 4 of us talking and landed in the bed of my pickup. No harm, no faul. The only down side was the car that we were winching taking off down the road by itself, but it didn't go but maybe 50 feet. I usually just tossed a chain over the length of the cable. Every other time it snapped with the chain on it, it just fell down.

[Brad W.]

personally, I like my shackle mounting tabs to go all the way through and be welded on the front AND rear of the bumper. I use 3x4 HREW rectangle, 1/4" wall usually for the bumper, and 5/8"x2.5" bar stock for the shackle tabs. round the ends with a saw & grinder, or they will wound your knee when you least expect it.

I'm not a big fan of the weld on shackles, those belong on trailer decks IMHO. I know many disagree, and use them on their high dollar bumpers, but it's not my cup of tea. The bumper on my cummins uses bent 3/4" round stock instead of "tabs", but it goes all the way through too. I broke the frame on an oldsmobile pulling it with a chain on those, so I know they are strong. It split the frame like a tin can a put a hook shaped dent in my tailgate. thats what happens when your park pawl pin falls into the gears and locks up the trans on a '88 olds!

[j20brett]

Im partial to my own homebuilt one...top middle will be cut out for a winch eventually.

[CHEW246214]

the tow rope fell, the tension from the mount snapping there was no stopping the tow hook... the rope went slack and fell....... it came off the line.. BTW I always throw something on the line... I'm kinda anal retentive when it comes to safety no matter what I'm doing...