Project Hi Clearance rear bumper

[HiCentered]

I got tired of dragging ass so i figured I'd put my limited skills to the test and try building a custom high clearance rear bumper for project HiCentered!

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[HiCentered]

Obviously started with removing the rear bumper and hitch. Then cut off the extra muffler above the rear axle and removed the tire heat shield

 

[HiCentered]

My plan was to build something with maximum ground clearance but I wanted to also mount a winch in it.

So I began mocking it up with cheap foam board.

 

[HiCentered]

After some thinking I decided to skip the winch in order to get more clearance.
I started with the tow hooks attached to the frame and built them out to 1" thick by cutting and welding together 5 pcs of 3/16 steel. Drilling the 1" hole was really fun with my cheap mini counter top drill press

 

[HiCentered]

Next step was a 3/16 steel skid plate welded to the frame mounts.

 

[HiCentered]

Next I made a trip to harbor frieght for a receiver. Welded it in and started adding pieces to get to this point. Now its time for beer. Hopefully more progress during the week.

 

[HiCentered]

I forgot how much work this stuff is. I survived cutting, grinding, and welding in the 3000 degree shop in shorts and a t shirt. Only got burns everywhere.
Here's some pics.
I was scared to cut the body so I built an inset to put an air hookup

 

[HiCentered]

Then I shotgunned 3 beers and took a pull off the tequila to get the courage to make the cut.....No going back now!

 

[HiCentered]

On to the wings

 

[HiCentered]

Then the part I didn't get to mock up due to my fear of cutting the body

 

[HiCentered]

Getting these little bastard pieces in was a pain

 

[HiCentered]

I ordered some tire swing hinges from 4x innovations. Got left and right so I can make a double gate.
These things are beefy. If anything fails itll be my crappy welds.

 

[HiCentered]

Now gotta take it down, weld, and grind. Ugh. Maybe next weekend.

 

[HiCentered]

I'm gonna take it out for a test run tomorrow. I need to add some gussets and such in a few spots so hopefully I don't destroy it. Ill post some pics after.

 

[SloW8]

That looks fantastic! Nice job fixing (or at least getting as close as you can to fixing) my biggest gripe about this truck.

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