Gen 1 Hitch / Receiver Lift / Replace - Rear Bumper Build

Well done man! Welding is such a great skill that Ive been learning since last year. Its so useful!

 

Thanks @oscardog86! Yes, it’s super useful. I’m ok but getting better. Just recently I watched a YouTube vid of what not to do. I should watch more, would likely speed the learning curve.

 

Thank you @Kimosabe!

 

Tonight I’ll find out if these LEDs are worth while.

 

I used those lights for awhile on my truck. They worked just fine but ended up getting rid of them because I moved my license plate to the back of the tailgate. I got some magnetized lights to slap on when Im driving at night. The truck isnt my daily driver so Im only really driving at night when im offroad and camping so no need to be legal there, haha

 

I have them on my swing out, they work good enough

 

You guys are right - they are fine. I'll likely keep an eye out for something with more output, but it's not a priority.

 

Very nice. Sure wish I could weld like that.

 

I couldn't leave it alone, so ordered these.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...bolt-stud-mount-pigtail-connection/1685/3935/
I like the stud mount. Maybe these have some balls.

 

You can, there are some beginner tricks I learned that got me this far. If you are geared up, pm me and I'll share. I'm now working on a proper bead - I wish I could lay down pro welds, but those guys have stick time...I'll settle for strong welds and grinding / filling where needed. For now.

 

That's where I struggled the most, laying a nice bead, even w/gas. The combo of good penetration with a decent puddle. It's easier for me at right inside angles, but it looks like you may struggle with the same problems I did trying to lay anything decent looking on an outside angle, as I see here - not knocking, I admit yours is better than mine:

 

This is awesome. @alb1k what's your welding setup?

 

I scored a Millermatic 210 a while back from a friend who was upgrading. Added a bottle and it’s been really good.

 

Yeah, that's not great. It's a continuous stitch. I've been finding a recent rhythm with a fluid weld, and a cleaner look and nicer bead. I used to stay away from it because I was trying the horse shoe pattern. Now I'm using a 2 forward one back and its much better. Still need practice though.

 

I'm not one to tell anyone how to weld, I haven't laid a bead in years. But I can share a tidbit that really helped me to get cleaner beads, at least the best I ever got. A friend a long time ago told me to practice doing lowercase cursive rows of EEEEEEEEEs, like what's on the Hostess cakes I used to eat as a kid (like below).

I took his words literally, failed miserably. Took me a while to realize it works really well but you just can't make them that tall, what you see below is more like cursive Ls, you need Es, like, just as tall as they are wide, and best bead for me came when the edges of the E were almost overlapping, dragging back into your puddle.

I dunno. Maybe it's worth giving a shot, but your other beads look light years better than what I expect I could lay today, so if what you're doing works, stick to it!

 

Sweet - thanks @Shifty

 

Nice. I was hoping you'd say you were doing this with some cheap junk from Amazon or something so I could stop saving for a decent welder, haha.

 

No substitute for a good welder. Hobart, Lincoln or Miller. I prefer Lincoln, but everyone has their thing.

Just don't forget to calculate in for the extras. Tank and gas (if you're going MIG) will add on 25-50% as much as a decent welder.

 

I met Micah in SLO. Crazy good fabricator. I told him about a great deal I knew of on a big Miller. He’s happy with his Fourney’s. One is a multi-process. Looks like he has a plasma as well.

 

Damn I wish I had the shills to build something like this. Sadly got neither the skills nor patience, looks awesome man

 

On the plasma side, I picked up an Everlast 15-20 years ago, they were still pretty new. Not sure if still around. It actually worked really well, I used on all kinds of stuff, from keg tanks and LP drums (for fire pits) to frame work.

I ended up selling off my setup for $700 locally. After having kids, it wasn't getting the use it should've.

 

This dude makes some cool stuff! I used his template to build a 270 awning recently and it came out great. His pop up camper shell and flatbed he built is so awesome. Seems like an awesome guy

 

Yeah, he's very cool, fun dude. His flatbed and camper are ridiculous good.

 

Your welds suffer because of the steel you are starting with

try this: grind off the mill scale 1” back from your joints before welding — joint to be welded should be clean and shiny

That mill scale is melting into your puddle and you can see the results

clean, clean, clean — thats welding

 

Awesome -thank you @Heavyopp!

 

Looks awesome I’m looking at the same idea. But I think I’m gonna get a coastal kit. How difficult would it be to integrate something like this into a coastal bumper?

 

I really don't know. But the coastal is pretty high. You could probably get away with setting the hitch just below. Maybe you could notch out the coastal, it's one of those have it in front of you things to see what's possible.

 

Yea. I emailed em, I’ve got their front bumper. Notching to lower was what I was thinking. Or somehow. Run a rectangular bar across the bottom of theirs we shall see if they reply. Lol

 

Looking for some update pics I posted elsewhere. There is now a rear skid under the bumper.