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asatxj
March 26th, 2004, 05:16
I'm planning on doing my own front bumper out of 2x6 steel tubing. I want to put a receiver on it so I have a front tow point. Any suggestions for making it strong enough to work safely?
TIA
Bender
March 26th, 2004, 07:13
Do a search on Tow hook brackets and see how they re-inforce the outer portion of the frame rail. I recommend using a bracket similar to this but with the bumper fastend to it via bolts or welding. It is also a good idea to add a little "L" bracket bolted where the stock bumper mounts go...the purpose of this bracket is to tie in the steel crossmember at the front of the XJ to the bumper mounting holes.
gmanxj
March 26th, 2004, 08:15
For great mounting ideas, go to www.rigidco.com

This will give you some pointers on how to make the receiver strong and tied in to the bumper.

Good Luck
asatxj
March 26th, 2004, 09:20
The Rigidco site is excellent!! thanks for the info. I think I'll make some of that stuff, shouldn't be too hard. I can get scrap steel from a friend at church.
gmanxj
March 26th, 2004, 09:32
No problem.
I have that bumper and that mounting system. It's fantastic.

When I installed it, the front end really tightened up, and it lessened my death wobble I had after my lift.
roke40
March 26th, 2004, 11:56
Only $400 party1: I know which bumper I'm getting now.
RCP Phx
March 26th, 2004, 16:07
That looks alot like mine,I built it 3 years ago.You can see some build pics from my homepage!
http://hometown.aol.com/rpayne9421/images/bump12.jpg
Abugarcia
March 27th, 2004, 18:39
Hey RCP,
Where do you put the pin on you front hitch? Did you use tubing of plate on you bumper?
xjhm
March 27th, 2004, 19:28
Only $400 party1: I know which bumper I'm getting now.
ditto...
RCP Phx
March 27th, 2004, 20:01
If you go to my homepage the pics should pretty much explain!Combo of square tube and plate.The pin(same for the shackles) is accessed from behind the bumper!
asatxj
March 28th, 2004, 04:08
Very helpful! But I think that it exceeds my fab skills right now. If you have the dimensions of the plates you used to mount it to the unibody rail I would love to get that info!
ChuckD
March 28th, 2004, 07:28
Do you guys have access to cad? I have some drawings from a guy who gave me some plans that are like the Rigid.

I'll try to put them on my site, give me a few.
ChuckD
March 28th, 2004, 08:19
It on my site now. :)
cardboard
March 28th, 2004, 09:07
Hey asatxj, if you go to this website " xjworld.4wdriver.com" he has a bumper in his TEK SECTION that has A GREAT MOUNting bracket pictured and it is very easy to reproduce. Good Luck Digger
Tim_MN
March 28th, 2004, 09:56
Check out my bumper project for ideas.

http://hometown.aol.com/xjtim/index1.html

Use tow hook bumper brackets, factory ones or one of the copies. ( http://custom4x4.jeepin.com/ )

The tube steel you use for the receiver part in the bumper should go thru both the front and back walls. . Reinforce the receiver tube with a collar (sort of a giant washer). What you are looking for is a double thickness of metal where the receiver and bumper meet. The collar will spread the stress over a larger area. Weld completley around the receiver tube in front and in back of the bumper.
Roxtar
March 29th, 2004, 14:39
It on my site now. :)

Hey, that looks familliar!
RCP Phx
March 29th, 2004, 18:41
Check out my bumper project for ideas.

Good lookin bumper!Instead of segment welding I "Flame Shrunk" mine to fit the contour!