I made up a 2X4 steel tube bumper for the rear of my cruiser with tow points and corner guards but I am unsure on how to mount. I was just looking at it and i wonder if I should just weld it to the rear c-channel.

I would like to weld as the inside of the tube will remain sealed. Im a little lazy to sleeve and bolt it but either method would utilize the rear c-channel.

Is this a good mounting point? It looks like the c-channel is attached to the frame and gusseted so if the welds are good it should work fine. Is that correct.

Do I need the angled frame pieces in the rear that are rivoted to the c-channel.

I was hoping I could do this by leaving the c-channel on the vehicle.

Anybody else have other suggestions.

Thanks,

arndog

Hi Arndog,
Good looking cruiser on your homepage. My 71 FJ40 has a step bumper welded to the rear channel. The only prob I have had was trying to tow a 3500 lb trailer with a load level hitch. It was trying to twist the rear channel off. Ended up having the hitch modified with the normal support tubes to the frame.
If you aren't towing a trailer, and the mounts are for recovery straps, I think the welding would be fine.
Are you changing the R&P on the 81 front axle? I think it is a 3.7 ratio stock. I have a 79 front axle to put into mine as soon as Boeing is done with me next month. Til then it is overtime to the max.

David:usa:

the axle is canadian so the gear ratio is 4.11. To bad we didn't get those options right.

yeah the bumper tow points are if for recovery purposes.

thanks

arndog

Mine was Canadian too. Don't forget the driveshaft flange will probably not make with the 81 front end. I got the front and rear from a board member in Canada last year. Just waiting for the time to assemble. Rebuiding the front steer knuckles and seals.
What are you going to use for a M/C?

David:usa:

Probably not any help to you but this how I did mine.


Fabbed up a new rear X member out of square steel (120mm-80mm-4mm) wich i welded to my homemade rear bumper. X member is bolted to the rear C channel with two 12 mm grade 8 bolts (sleeved the frame), the rear bumper i attached with 8 bolts 8mm grade 8 bolts.

Christof

christoff I do like the way yours is done. Is your rear bumper c-channel. Also looks like you are missing a little bit of sheet metal there :D

arndog

Rear bumper is square tubing 120mm 80mm 4mm, cutouts for the stock rear ligths, homemade shackle holder support plates, 6mm thickness.

Also have a removable tow hitch wich drops down 20 cm below the rear bumper so my trailer sits level.

As for the sheetmetal, I got a little medieval with the angle grinder and before i knew it my whole rear tub was gone, I'm starting to rebuild the rear tub now, and putting it back together is turning out a "little" harder then I expected.

Christof

another pic, rear bumper upside down in my vise.

Christof

X member, almost finished.

Ready to weld the X member to the bumper.

All welded up.

Finished, painted with Por 15

Christof

I used C channel, probably 8X2x3/8 and had the open part of the channel face back, I got some frame mounts welded up on the flat side and then I'm gonna weld thinner flat bar on the back for the lights to sit in. I got the strength for impacts, but without the weight of a square tube. It's on, but the flat bar and lights haven't gone in yet. time will tell if it works