Winch and Bumper Project

[rustystud]

Here's the diamond plate I'm making to cover the winch and provide a safe place to stand on.
I have a few more holes to drill and tap out, then clean and prime the plate. After the primer is dry I will be painting on "Herculiner" on the top of the plate.
Then I can stand safely on the bumper without worrying about falling off !

 

[AZK9]

Looks nice!

 

[rustystud]

Winch deck plate project "finished" !!!
I still might do some more things to the bumper like add some storage, or a Vise, but for now it's done !

 

[Roughwaterjohn]

Looks amazing, great job! Could you post a few pics showing more of the front of the truck? I'd love to see how it looks in relation to the rest of the truck. Did I mention great job!

 

[tommys2patrick]

Very professional job. I like how you cut out around the other mounting tabs and the access door. Even spacing between panels. more room to stand on the bumper without your toes getting caught up or slipping off is a real plus. I always like your builds.

 

[99nouns]

And he did all that without a CAD, God bless your mind. Perfect math and tolerances in measurements.

 

[rustystud]

And he did all that without a CAD, God bless your mind. Perfect math and tolerances in measurements.

I worked as a metal fabricator for 10 years. I'm still pretty good with the "Oxy-Acetylene" torch. Thanks for all the kind comments !

 

[Valence]

I'm digging the rubber bumper pads. I've never thought of something like that, but I like it! Reminds me of the bumper pads on my '77 Plymouth Trailduster, which seemed a common feature in that era. I've also seen the large HMMWV bumpers with similar.

 

[rustystud]

I'm digging the rubber bumper pads. I've never thought of something like that, but I like it! Reminds me of the bumper pads on my '77 Plymouth Trailduster, which seemed a common feature in that era. I've also seen the large HMMWV bumpers with similar.

Our shop trucks all have these extremely heavy duty push-bumpers to push dead busses around the yard and into the shop. So I thought "why not ! " . This way I can help push a dead vehicle ( truck) off the road and not destroy their bumper in the process.

I also loved the 1970's Plymouths and Chryslers ! The 440 cid engine was an awesome power plant. Also the 727 Torqueflite transmission was just a thing of beauty and simplicity !

 

[rustystud]

Looks amazing, great job! Could you post a few pics showing more of the front of the truck? I'd love to see how it looks in relation to the rest of the truck. Did I mention great job!

Here's some pictures for you.

 

[tommys2patrick]

Do you have a bumper step out of sight? looks like quite a first step to get up there, at least for my scrawny legs.

Looks like ditch lights just behind the cab at the bottom of the bed. Or is that more of a work light?

 

[kungfu dave]

That is a pretty impressive upgrade. Mad Max would be jealous for sure! lol Just out of curiosity, I didn't see it asked in the thread, how much lower is the new bumper versus the old? Did you raise the top bumper or simply add a second one to the bottom side? If I ever get my 5 ton running I will be looking for a similar improvement as well.

 

[Roughwaterjohn]

Thanks for the pics! It looks even better when you see the entire bumper / winch in relation to the rest of the truck. Looks fantastic!

 

[rustystud]

Do you have a bumper step out of sight? looks like quite a first step to get up there, at least for my scrawny legs.

Looks like ditch lights just behind the cab at the bottom of the bed. Or is that more of a work light?

I mounted LED lights on the left and right side of the bed and tucked away in the rear bumperettes . They move out so I can direct the light to the side of the truck if I ever need to work on the truck in the dark somewhere.
I don't have a ladder, yet ! I'm planning on adding some foldaway steps later.

 

[rustystud]

That is a pretty impressive upgrade. Mad Max would be jealous for sure! lol Just out of curiosity, I didn't see it asked in the thread, how much lower is the new bumper versus the old? Did you raise the top bumper or simply add a second one to the bottom side? If I ever get my 5 ton running I will be looking for a similar improvement as well.

The top bumper is in the stock position. By adding the second underneath I gave myself a perfect place to mount my WARN winch. I'll be adding a brace from the bottom bumper to the frame in case I ever have to push someone.

 

[wilber]

I really like the diamond plate winch cover. It really cleans up the top of the winch. Nicely done.

 

[rustystud]

I really like the diamond plate winch cover. It really cleans up the top of the winch. Nicely done.

Thank you ! I think it looks good there too. Plus I won't fall off like I have in the past !

 

[rustystud]

Well it's time to add that brace. I had some 3/8" 4X6 angle iron cut to 2.5" width for the push brackets mounted on the frame. I will be welding a 1/4" side plate to both sides of them to "box" them in for strength. I have some extra bumper plates mounted on the bottom of the lower bumper to weld the angle iron brace to. I just need to cut the angle braces now, then start welding everything up.

 

[winfred]

planning on mounting my warn 18k in a similar way to shoot under the notch and plating the top for a standing area, but not planning on running a 2nd bumper, though it does look pretty mean, almost looks like a wrecker. i scored a cheap set of bumper extensions and garwood mounts for a reduction of things i have to fab, not sure if the garwood mounts will be useful at all but....

 

[Another Ahab]

Well it's time to add that brace. I had some 3/8" 4X6 angle iron cut to 2.5" width for the push brackets mounted on the frame.
View attachment 680324

That's all shaping up real solid, rustystud.

It's hard to tell, but is that diagonal brace in the pic some kind of fit-up template made of a 2x4?