"FJ80WaitinForaLSV8" (fj80waitinforalsv8)
09/30/2014 at 19:48 • Filed to: DIYBumper
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"FJ80WaitinForaLSV8" (fj80waitinforalsv8)
09/30/2014 at 19:48 • Filed to: DIYBumper | 10
| 40 |
So I just stumbled across these photos a couple days ago. This project took place about four years ago. I have a '93 land cruiser, and not a whole lot of companies make body armor for these trucks, at least for sale in the US. I especially didn't like any of the rear bumpers that were available for purchase so I decided to build one myself. I went to the metal supply store and bought a 4'x8' 3/16" sheet of steel plate and proceeded to whip out the plasma cutter.
The basic process involved prototyping the pieces I wanted in cardboard and then cutting them out of steel. I alternated between tack welding these pieces to one another on the truck and then removing the bumper to fully weld up the seams.
I built the bumper from the center out, if that makes sense. This bumper was designed to be completely bolt on and is. The real time killer in this project was welding up the seams between the metal and then grinding/sanding them down so that they looked like the metal had been bent into place.
For the ladder and spare tire mount I bought one of those build your own bumper kits online that comes with the hinge and clamp to secure the swing arm. I ended up using left over steel I had in the garage for this part and that was a mistake. I used some 2"x1" square tubing which turned out to be undersized.
The first test of this bumper involved driving my car from CA to NJ and in Moab while taking some dirt wash outs at speed I warped the swing arm with all the torque from the spare. I fixed this by tying the ladder into the roof rack until I get around to building a new swing arm.
I also learned why most bumpers on the market have two hinges on them (so that the ladder and spare open from the middle of the truck) - one single arm is REALLY long and makes opening the back a pain in the ass if anything is behind you. Other the arm issues, which is on my short list to fix I love my bumper.
It really looks like it was custom made for my truck and I get compliments on it wherever I go. Hope this inspires someone to go out and buy a welder. Building something from scratch out of metal is truly a reward experience.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 19:52 |
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Comparable professional bumper -
Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 19:53 |
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Woah, that glass is like a mirror
RallyWrench
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 20:06 |
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Great work, man.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> RallyWrench
09/30/2014 at 20:07 |
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Thanks-
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
09/30/2014 at 20:10 |
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yeah it's tinted, just think its a weird angle.
TaBroe
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 20:34 |
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Hello FJ80, I've been a lurker on oppositelock and Jalopnik for years now, but I've just got to know where you found your swing arm kit for your spare.
Thanks,
TaBroe
MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 20:40 |
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nice...nothing feels better than custom making something yourself instead o throwing money at some else
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TaBroe
09/30/2014 at 20:45 |
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So there are several companies that sell them. I would not recommend the place I bought mine from. They sent it to me without the post that the arm sits on and refused to overnight me a new one (I was on a tight departure schedule to drive cross country) so I had to pay out of pocket even though it was their fault.
here's one I just found googling - looks very similar to what I used -
http://www.atozfabrication.com/store/product.…
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
09/30/2014 at 20:46 |
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yup saved me a lot of money probably about $1500.
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TaBroe
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 21:07 |
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Thanks man. I've been looking to build a tire carrier for my two-door Tahoe ever since I got it to free up some cargo room. BTW love the 80 series and yota's in general. Your setup looks great!
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TaBroe
09/30/2014 at 21:09 |
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Its a fun project. You should definitely go for it. Thanks for the kind words. My next project will be an engine swap, much more nervous about tackling that!
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TaBroe
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 21:14 |
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I hear you, my 5.7 is a dog on grades and gas (prob better than your six though) and I've been considering swapping a newer 5.3 or potentially a diesel. Do you have the 3F or the 1FZ-FE?
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TaBroe
09/30/2014 at 21:21 |
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1FZ thankfully. While my name says cummins swap, I think lack of coin is going to push me towards an LS motor. 6BTs are too damn pricey.
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TaBroe
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/30/2014 at 21:29 |
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FZs are good motors, and yeah and 4BTs are hard to find now days. Would an imported Toyota diesel work? I'd assume its got more electrical gubbins. There's a company called dieseltoys that does factory grade diesel swaps but I think they're pretty expensive.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TaBroe
09/30/2014 at 21:55 |
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The Toyo diesels are really pricey to ship from overseas. It would be cheaper to go the 6BT route. I have no interest in a 4BT too much work to build the motor out to where I'd want it.
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TaBroe
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/01/2014 at 00:13 |
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Anyway, thanks for helping me out. Good luck with whatever you have planned in the future!
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TaBroe
10/01/2014 at 00:24 |
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no problem, let me know if you have any questions building that tire carrier.
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TaBroe
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/01/2014 at 00:51 |
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Thanks, I'll see how far I can get
Tim
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/01/2014 at 10:08 |
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Nice work! I would add that building something out of steel is rewarding, but also a huge pain in the ass. ;-)
Building mine was the longest 4 days. Haha. Worth it though. Looks great!
HammerheadFistpunch
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/01/2014 at 13:17 |
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Damn you FJ80! I was so set against putting aside a part of my life to learn to weld and make my own bumpers and between you and VicariousiLive you are killing me!
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> HammerheadFistpunch
10/01/2014 at 13:54 |
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I find welding to be extremely therapeutic. It will be good for your mental health and pocket book I promise.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> HammerheadFistpunch
10/01/2014 at 16:14 |
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BTW Lincoln just introduced a new welder that might be exactly what you need...
http://lincolnelectric.com/en-us/equipmen…
vicariousILive
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/01/2014 at 21:50 |
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Haha what a coincidence! I was just talking to Hammerheadfistpunch how he could totally build a bumper for his FJZ80. This is a perfect example of how it is totally doable. If you don't mind me asking, how much did this bumper build cost you in materials?
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> vicariousILive
10/01/2014 at 23:12 |
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These are all ballpark-
about $200 in steel
$75 in paint
$40 in welding supplies / plasma tips
$40 in grinder supplies
$100 for the hinge and misc hardware
Total - $455
Hammerhead should totally do it.
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vicariousILive
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/01/2014 at 23:21 |
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thats pretty good...relative to the $1500+ that you'd spend on something from Slee or ARB.
I was a pretty good welder in high school and i haven't had any good opportunities to get back into it before I got my Tacoma. I just found out my supervisor at my new job and coworker(who are big Moab rock crawling guys) meet at a friend's metal shop and work on their Jeeps every Wednesday. They have a good mig welder, plasma cutter, pipe benders...a full on mod shop. they told me if I an pay for it I an build it. Next step is to free up some expendable income. Also before I add more weight, I need to beef up my suspension.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> vicariousILive
10/01/2014 at 23:29 |
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Sounds like the perfect set up! Excited to see what you cook up.
CAR_IS_MI
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/02/2014 at 11:24 |
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Nice work. How heavy is that though? between the ladder, spare and diamond plate cover I am assuming around the 250 lbs mark?
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> CAR_IS_MI
10/02/2014 at 11:35 |
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I didn't weigh it. It's not light, but my rig in general is pretty portly. I'd say the base bumper is about 100 lbs, spare is 60 lbs, spare cover is 30 lbs, ladder and swing are are another 50 lbs - so yeah right about 250.
Blind Willy
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/02/2014 at 15:39 |
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That's pretty cool. I might have to go learn me some weldin'!
Tarukai
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/05/2014 at 21:03 |
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I think I actually prefer the homemade version, aside from the wheel cover.
TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/13/2014 at 17:17 |
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Oooo, nice cart.
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TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/13/2014 at 17:18 |
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Well done! Where'd you source your latch?
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TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/13/2014 at 17:19 |
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Slee?
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
10/13/2014 at 18:07 |
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I forget it was the same place I got the hinge. The latch didn't work the way I wanted and I had to heavily modify it. I made the U portion myself out of threaded stock and then put some stiff springs on the bottom to allow me to compress it. I'd just search around for DIY bumper kits and make sure to inspect the latch closely to make sure it will work with you application. I'm sure McMaster Carr would have a bunch as well.
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
10/13/2014 at 18:08 |
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Good eye.
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TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
10/13/2014 at 22:04 |
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Tell me about this bandsaw...
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> TulsaMtnBiker (OkieRising)
10/14/2014 at 12:30 |
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It's a lower end delta model is a 12" extension added. Set up for wood not metal.
Barbarosa
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
05/10/2015 at 19:36 |
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So I am looking at buying a welder and material - in Colorado and slee is just down the road but- my 94 type 80 is not sure if she wants all the cost of manufactured ... Curious on cost compare.
If I buy a Hobart 125 ez for $350 and material... What were your costs?
I need a heavy roof rack front and rear bumper and assesoiries - need suspension so plan on OEM 3” lift
Thoughts? Links?
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FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
> Barbarosa
05/11/2015 at 14:57 |
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It was a while ago so I don’t recall exactly. I bought a 4’x8’ sheet of 3/16 steel. then the parts for the swing arm which lots of people sell online in kits - also factor in the metal I’d recommend like 8’ of square 4x2. And then I got it sand blasted and painted (you could do this yourself if so inclined, looking back on it I should have paid someone to powder coat it. Those are sorta the main 3 components in terms of materials. You are going to have a hard time doing this without and oxy torch or a plasma cutter.
ford
> FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
09/16/2015 at 18:54 |
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hi sir this is really nice work . . . I am also on this project I need some sugggestions on cleaning the edges. please let me know if you can help thanks! eanthonyherkints@gmail.com