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

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GQ6Jsa-wTs3YB4gRhSF3TR6cwkLk3hHF/view?usp=drivesdk

I don’t know if this link will work, but a 2X72 grinder does….

 

30 sec a side to round off 1/4” square angles.

 

I think this will work.

 

Now that it's in (not welded yet), I'm going with it's a legit mod. I cut and drilled the side plates for the height and extension I wanted. I have 2 factory bolts on and will add weld. I can probably cut the stock brackets (off now) and use stock holes, welds for more strength, The cross tube is directly under the frame and adjusted for extension and side plates trimmed for the coming bumper. I'll post pics from my phone. If you went with a 4" tall bumper, it could sit on top of this and clear the tailgate when down. A 7" tall bumper would clear the tailgate and line up around the bottom of the receiver. Nothing bolt on will work at all, only customs. Kinda makes me want to chop the rear bed. We will see.

 

***Some pics progress, some final***

Pic dump…. 4” to the bottom of the spare tire access slot from the cross support. Top of the side plates is closer to 2" after a cut out.

This one is the right height, but later I cut the side plates lower.






Every pic below here is final plate cuts and placement:
You can see the bare metal on the side plates - this is after I cut them out 1/2"

 

A few welds on board before wind picks up here and so I can drive it.

 

Here’s the long flat brick. I imagine this is the hardest part. It’s fairly rough now, but I think it will start taking shape.

 

Aligned and cleaned up the rectangle tube. Added some bolt mounts. Lots of measuring and centering.

 

Finally got some rear bumper time. I'll add pics from my phone after this text. Needed to cut some cardboard to see where I needed angles and if I was happy with the plan. Looked good so dealt with the bigger sections which takes forever. The foundation is in place so smaller cuts tomorrow and some more design thought. I was generous with that lic plate area, it's hard to put metal back. But I will likely end up chopping some of the bottom off.

 

Looking good.

 

Starting to look less like a brick and more like a bumper.

 

That looks really good man. Any plans on cutting your tail pipe a bit shorter? When I had a tube bumper built it made the tail pipe stick out like a sore thumb. I just cut it back several inches at an angle and I think it looks much more tucked away now.

 

Cut a little relief, vise it up and give it a bend.

 

For sure. I think mine is worse because I put it into a tall curb long ago. But that thing is getting cut, redirected, something. Thanks brother. @oscardog86

 

Lookin good!! Im actually diggin the patina look to be honest! Keep up the good work Erik!

 

@Casper421 - thank you, Chris!

 

Here's where it is at quitting time today. I'll probably clean this up more than I did the front bumper, I've got more energy to grind, fill, sand. Party up front, business in the rear. I would have just gone the Coastal route and been done by now, but I wanted that integrated receiver, and less body chop for now at least. There are a few more courtesy pieces to add, and I may extend the ends forward to follow the bed lines closer, but so far so good.

 

It’s your bumper and to late now, but I would have mounted the license plate to the top tube and not even messed around with making the cove for the plate.
Also chop off the bottom of the plate bracket flush with the rest of the bumper.
My 2.2 cents

 

Good points @FrenchToasty. I recessed it so I can better light it, and I like the look. I was generous with the height of that plate, but it's going to get trimmed. Not flush, lic plate is 6" tall and the other plate below the tube is 5", but closer than now.

 

@FrenchToasty got me back in the garage to grab a tape. I can lose 13/16" of that lic plate-plate. It's a 35% or so reduction below the bottom bumper line. I'll still have 1.5" below, probably right about where the hitch plate lies. I'll be good with that....or I offset the lic plate with rubber bushings and lose another 1/4" by passing the weld...

 

Can you trim your license plate?
Your bumper is coming along nicely, good job!

 

Thank you as always, truly. I love your posts and learn a lot Thumb up emoji.

I got a guy at the DMV, I'm thinking motorcycle plate.

 

On that note....Cut it and dump down? New angle and aim higher and out? I don't know shi# about exhaust except that, if you pull everything behind the cat on a Ford 460, the HP gain is cray, and with a manual, you can jump-scare pedestrians on the sidewalk on demand.

 

I cut mine at an angle so it just dumps down but kinda outward still cuz its at an angle. Cant even see it anymore as it is the same height as my spare under the truck now and disappears in the shadows.

 

Getting closer. Still have some small pieces to fit, but welded the inside, trimmed the license plate backing, tapped some holes and test fit some LEDs.

 

POR 15

 

Man I hate working with that stuff, but it sure is satisfying to see the end result once it's done. Like candy-glazing.

 

For sure. I learned and stayed clean this time…

 

I would say this thing is cooperating with the plan.

 

Looks sharp! Great work.