i'm about to fab up a reartire carrier/ bumper combo, it's gonna have a 2" receiver and some d ring mounts, i was innitially gonna do a 3"x4" x3/16" rectangular tube, but the more i think about the more i want to go with 1/8" cause i have too much weight on the TJ already with all the skids, will 1/8" be enough to mount a receiver and d ring mounts too? i'd reinforce it obviously, just wanted some oppintions.

Well let's lay out the situation here:

1) 2in receiever: obviously to carry, tow or haul something

2) D-ring mounts: obviously for strapping/winching purposes

3) tire carrier: obviously for carrying a spare tire

With a probablity of being in front of me or a family member on the freeway with all being supported by a bumper made of 1/8" steel?

Your solution to being able to do all of the above safely is governed by your desire to save weight. Do you really think that your or your jeep will be able to notice the difference between 1/8" and 3/16" (as opposed to 1/4" which you probably should be using anyways)?

Do I need to go further? If you want to save weight, remove things that you don't have to have: doors, top, A/C, heat, stereo, etc.

Not trying to be an ass, but it's hilarious the number of people that want to build something, yet want to cut corners on aspects of a design that are important.

thats why i ask...to get enlightened by you!
have i built it yet? no! thats why i ask before i build it! i have no idea what the other manufactures use for thickness , but now i'm gonna go with 3/16ths
cheers:beer:

You can do it with .120 wall tubing but you will need to add some gussets and beef where the loads are at so it would take quite a bit more time and welding to get a good product.

I would go with 3/16"
My last bumper was 1/4" - and this one is 3/16", works great and is a little lighter than the 1/4" one.
You want to save weight? Make it out of 2"x4", there you just saved some weight.

Also make sure your hitch and shackle mounts are welded to the outside face and the inside face of the bumper for strength. And make sure you are attaching this thing to the frame, stock crossmembers are not strong enough by themselves to just throw a bumper on and use it for extraction.

Here is mine. Bumper is 2x4x3/16" and carrier is 2x2x3/16".
Shackle mounts are 2x5/8" welded front and back.


HTH,
Phil

Does anybody have numbers on the something like the crush value of 2x4 steel tube at various thickness. For example it would take 5000 pounds to crush 2x4 .120. I made my front bumper out of 2x4 .120 wall and it is sort of beefy. The main reason I did this was cost at the time. I don't think I would use this same thickness for the rear for towing and extraction reasons. The one main and huge advantage to having a bumper weaker then your frame is that my 15 dollar bumper can bend and distort all it wants and the frame will hopefully remain straight. My friend has 1/4 wall steel tubing professionally welded to his frame on his 5 and I assure you the frame will crumple like that of a tin can if his bumper gets tagged.

Correct me if im wrong but the thickest "bulletproof" bumper are only 3/16"

arndog

Three points:
1: Making your bumper stronger does not make your frame weaker. His frame would not "crumple like a tin can". It does remove a "crumple zone", but hey that's what other cars are for, just don't hit anything solid at high speed ;)

2. Unless there is a heavily gussetted well thought out design, then 1/8" is too thin for hard extraction (jerk towing) IMHO.

3. Bulletproof MFG's stuff is NOT. :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:
Their stuff is EASILY bent/broken.

JMHO,
Phil

i just finished my custom swing away tire carrie for my yj. I would say go with 1/4" steel especially for your main bumper. Teh weight difference is like a couple pounds different per foot, but the strength is a big trade off. I crunched the numbers for mine and wouldn't go any thinner than 1/4" in my jeep. If you are looking to save a little weight use the thinner stuff in the a-frame that carries the tire. Personally i didn't the weight difference wasn't enough for me to compromise strength. I have complete drawings if you would like to see them. Oh by the way mine only weighs 112lbs using all 1/4".
Nick

JeepNick, that would be great, post some of those pics for me please:)

THere are lot's of pics of my bumper at Phil's Mods (http://jeep-club.irtech.com/phils_mods) if that helps.

Phil

i'll try and get some pics up soon. if you have autocad or some type of design program i can email you the drawings
Nick

For more strength, you could do as I did. I used 2x2" square tubing, stacked, welded both sides full lenght to create the 2x4 desired. Now it has more stiffness in the fore and aft direction for pulling without bending. I also reinforced the centre with another 2x2 right behind where I mounted the receiver hitch.

I got sick of lightweight shit that bends and can't take abuse. It's heavy, but it's down at frame height. It goes without saying but keep it tucked in close to the crossmember to minimize loss of departure angle. Reiforce the crossmember with angle brackets, preferably welded to the frame ends.

Tim

" only weighs 112lbs"!!!!:eek:

not to admit I'm Bobby Bolt-on, but my tomken bumper is 3/16 and is damn sturdy. I finally put a small dent in it after more than several hundred run-ins with rocks. 1/4 would be overkill, 1/8 too weak.

SeanP

thanks guys,
i just bought some 2"x4"x3/16" stuff (for $20CAD) cause there is no way that i'm gonna go with the 1/4" stuff, i did my rockers in 1/4" and i think i shoud have gone with 3/16 there but i think i'll do this , but i'm sure even theis with 3/16" is gonna be close to 100pounds:rolleyes:

Tmartin ,
i'm from Brandon, and i'm coming into the peg tomorrow, if you want see if you can hook up with me, i'm gonna get together with Michael (another peg jeeper) for a drink or something, drop me a email or something, my cell# is 720-1102 and i'll keep it on tomorrow

Here is a picture of mine. it is 3/16 2x4, I have banged the crap out of it, pulled a utility trailer with 2500lbs many times, have a swing out tire carrier and your can see the rack on top that is usually full of a few hundred pounds of beer and food. I wouldnt go any thinner then 3/16 wall. Make sure you tie the bumper into the frame in a couple different spots on each side. Good Luck.

blueYJ:cool2: