ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Build Diaries, How-To, DIY => Topic started by: obradleyo on May 03, 2010, 11:51:54 PM
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So I had some tire issues and needed a way to safely carry a 31"+ sized tire and get a beter depature angles. SO I needed a new bumper that could carry a tire.
I started out with a ten foot peice of 2 x 3" .120 steel. cut it to lenght and knotched it out.
The corner gaurds are 1 1/2 x 1/12 .120 tube from a lumber rack i got off craigslist.
It actuall wen togeather vary well. If i had a chop saw i would of been done the frist day. I used a $15.00 angle grinder from harbor freight with cut off wheels.
One thing I learned while working on this project I will only use dewalt cut off wheels.(unless im in a pinch) every one i used would smoke and have the worst orders, also they barly lasted. After a few days of welding and cuting I got the bumper part done.
The tire carrier will be drop down, well mabey not for sure one that one yet. Its made out of 1 1/2 x 1/12 .120 tube and the hinges will be a peice of pipe with calmini a-arm bushings in it. I will build a bracket similar to the rear trailing arm bracket to hold the pipe with the bushing in it.
Heres some frist shots.
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The corners turned out to be easy I just took my angle finder and found where it needed to be and then cut it and caped the end at the same angle that the door cuts down at the bottem.
After the top peice to the corner was on. I made a cardboard cut-out for the really odd triangle shape I needed to compleate the corner.
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After getting the corners on the bumper was pertty much done just grinding all the edges down smooth and painting. I Drove around about a week without the tire carrier just the bumper.
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I Finally got to start working on the tire carrier. I have to say Im getting good at cutting with the angle grinder and the harbor freight special is still holding up. I still need a peice of tube for the hinge, I will go to the steel store tomorrow. But here is what it will look like I will be welding the stock tire carrer to the rack I built today. I only have a few odd and ends to finish up after the hinge. Hopefully I will be all doen tomorrow .
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Nice work!
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Sweet. Custom! I like the shape. How much does that badboy weigh?
-Zuke
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How are you going to have the tire carrier hinge? Is it going to fold down like a step?
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I'm Guessing the bumper weighs about 20-25 lbs. Im guessing 40ish with the tire carrier. The hinge is a small like 2" peice of 1 1/2 " pipe with a bushing in it. The bushing is and extra set I had laying around. Here are some up close pics. I also Had to fab up a new stand my old one was vary janky.
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here are some shots of the brackets to hold the hinge up. There made out of 1/8 plate mocked up with cardborad. I will be grinding them smooth like the bumper.
And yes when the tire flips down it will be a step to get to the roof easier.
Also Here is a shot of my old janky stand.
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So I finally had some time over the past week to finish up. got the hinge brackets and the rest of the support bars welded on.
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here is a shot of the latch to hold the tire up. one peice is on the back door threw the stock tire carrier bolt hole. the other peice is on the carrier and a bolt gose threw it I couldn't find the thing i bought when I drilled the hole. so I ended up drilling the hole to big and now I need to use a bolt. will go to the store tomorrow and look for the right size thingy to go threw the hole.
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So here is the 95% done shots. I need to do final painting its good for a while but will need a fresh coat soon. Im thinking painting it the same color that I paint the rest of the truck. when I break down and paint the whole thing of corse..... I also need to cut off the ugly tow bar thingy so the tire will go all the way down. right now I can only open the door half way. it will work fine once the tow bar is removed....
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Nice work. Impressive bumper.
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looks real cool. functional and form blended together nicely,