This is true. No offense taken. Haha. I always call it a pipe bender.. but your right, it's tubing... not pipe.

 

ya it happens all the time. just dont want anyone running out and buying a pipe bender to build a bumper! haha.

 

Hey man, no offense on the (average joe) comment. That’s why I like to show pics, and chat it up on this forum, because I don’t have a huge shop with laser cutters, hydraulic tube sharks and all that. Just a 2 car garage with some machining tools and welders. One tool I bought before this project was a plasma cutter. Man did it save time. The cuts were pretty much perfect after I was done. Just hit it with a grinder for a second and they were ready. That tool is worth its weight in gold. To bad you were not closer to where I live man, we could build these trucks up together pretty sick. HAHA. I will keep you updated on my progress as I come along. May be a little bit until the winch, and tube bars. I have to buy a 2" diameter die for the bender, as well as the winch. All that plate made a ding in my wallet. LOL. My fiance is very understanding, we never go out because when I have extra money it goes into one of the toys, but she knew what she was getting into because my whole family works that way. HAHA.

For your mounts man, I’m thinking 1/2" is too big; 1/4" is plenty really for any bumper. Now mine are 1/4" mounts thatI braced to save weight instead of just bigger plate. If you can get free steel man, that’s the way to go, and the use of any tools is always great. It may take time but you will be happy in the end, and feel good to for not just throwing $1000 at a bumper builder. It is something that is custom and you can show off.

Thanks,
Kc

 

Hell yeah!! What's your estimate on how much it weighs?

I can get free steel because it's scrap.. tons and tons of 1/4" steel all day long.. and they have the plasma cutter and welders and basically everything I would need. I'd have to check and see if they got 3/16th" right now, depends on what the buyers are wanting.. usually 1/4-1" or bigger steel plate.. Ha.. Ya man, I don't want to steal your ideas or anything but a general idea of how it looks and everything and I could set my truck up!

 

Ya know, me and a buddy lifted it up into place to tack it on so it is not horrible. We are not huge guys, but I would guess about 100lb over the stock bumper. Also let me know what you decide because if you have a way to view them I can send the the CAD files to you. I draw everything on AutoCAD for my truck before I build it. Even the headache rack and the roof basket attachment. I do not think I posted the basket pics. I will post them up. Hell ya man, if you can round up enough good scrap steel definatley use that. I post my pics up to give people ideas of stuff to do. Im not the type of guy that likes to show his stuff off thinking its the best around. I am really happy with the way my truck is coming out though.

Thanks

 

Here is that basket I was talking about. Works great when you have bikes, or other stuff in the bed but need more storage.

 

get a roof rack they look better imo than that basket

 

Ya but this one hinges down against the back of the headache rack with the pull of a few pins and makes a window protector against stuff in the bed when its down. I did look at building a roof rack and putting it over the actual roof, not the bed, but I am not the type of guy that just builds the average stuff for my truck to make it look like everyone elses truck. I have never seen this before so I figured I would try and be a little different from others. Everyone has there own opinions and they are all welcome here, that is for sure. I was however camping last summer and some guy I passed with an f-150 stopped me and offered to buy that whole setup off my truck right there on the spot, or at least build him one for his truck, but I was just to busy.

Thanks

 

That sounds sick dude. I'll talk to my grandpa, it's possible you could send the CAD files to the guy at his work. I'll talk to him about it after I see yours.

 

Hell, that looks badass! You could even build a basket a bit longer and you could swap it to sit OVER the cab if you wanted also.... that's a cool idea!