DIY Rear Bumper: low cost, high clearance

[summerof95]

Built your own links?

Chances are, you now have some left over brake-line and some old plastic links.

I cut 2 plastic links in half, like so.


Then shaved the edged of the links until the fit within the frame rails.
Using the circles molded into the links as a guide, I drilled through the second hole (the one with the Axial logo) with a 3/32 bit.

I enlarged the hole at the link's end slightly, then tapped a length of brake-line into the hole with a hammer.
The links were then secured to the frame rails with 3M screws.




The bumper is perfectly sized to protect the rear of the body, while providing as much clearance as possible (much more than stock).

It's incredibly stout, and makes for a decent carry handle, as well.
If more strength is required, the next molded circle aligned perfectly with the next hole in the frame rail, providing an easy means of adding an additional screw. Since the circles are all evenly spaced, you could use different holes to accommodate different body lengths.

Since it's made from very common parts, I figure most folks on here can make this without spending a cent. It's not nearly as pretty as the manufactured stuff, but it's very functional, and darn near free.

[pastimesteve]

Great contribution and awesome, creative concept! Thanks for sharing!

[TacoCrawler]

this should be in the "tips and tricks" sticky

good idea for dispensing left overs and for the budget minded folk

curious, maybe I missed it...
but what holds the tube from shifting laterally ?

[o0wiz0o]

Genius!

[summerof95]

Thanks for the positive words, guys!

Originally Posted by TacoCrawler

...what holds the tube from shifting laterally ?

Lots of pressure. The tubing was tapped in with a hammer. To position the link, I had to rotate it around the tube; it wouldn't just slide.
On top of that, something in the construction of the link-ends caused them to want to sit at an angle, by forcing them straight with the frame-rails, the pressure increases even more.

I can not get it to shift once assembled.

[TacoCrawler]

Originally Posted by summerof95

Thanks for the positive words, guys!



Lots of pressure. The tubing was tapped in with a hammer. To position the link, I had to rotate it around the tube; it wouldn't just slide.
On top of that, something in the construction of the link-ends caused them to want to sit at an angle, by forcing them straight with the frame-rails, the pressure increases even more.

I can not get it to shift once assembled.

...thanks for the explanation

My only concern would be with excessive rock work...
with those plastic eyes grinding against the rocks...
they could grind thru and cause premature failure after a period of abuse.

Something that could increase durability and assist the tube in staying positioned...
would be to mount small OD drill stop collars on each outer sides of the tube.
The drill stop collars could be secured using a set screw.
Might be difficult to locate some that have a small enough diameter (OD)
so as to not look too out of place or be too obtrusive.
But if they where a slightly larger OD then the eye of the plastic link ends...
they could protect the link's plastic eyes and act as rock grinders.

...just sharing my thoughts

[mr dave]

Rear bumpers can be a pain in the @$$. I couldn't find one I liked to go with my rear tube frame, so I used the RC4WD tow bar mount, had to grind and drill, but it looks pretty sharp and comes with two shackle screws already installed.

[summerof95]

Taco,
Valid point about the eyes eventually wearing through... But I've found that its so high, and so close to the body, that it rarely made contact with the rocks. And I play on some pretty harsh rocks.

But suppose it did... I've still got another set of links hanging around. :-)
That's the beauty of building with unwanted parts.


Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

[TacoCrawler]

hate to be the barer of bad possibilities...

but because the tube fits in there tightly...
the eye of the plastic is under pressure or stress.

If it does get hit hard enough...
you just may need your extras.

I do like that you are thinking outside the box...
and IMO this is an outstanding contribution !

[summerof95]

I'll keep running it, and update if I encounter any problems or breakages.


Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

[o0wiz0o]

It's pretty tough to break those eyes. I think that will last a fair while. I had a right go at a set with some pliers. They put up a right fight.

[sjc115]

That's fantastic! Just like a tube bumper you see on real Jeeps. You could solder another tube on the top or bottom and have a double tube bumper for more realism.
http://offroadltd.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/jb44rh.jpg

[TacoCrawler]

as kool as this is...

I'd prefer something that wraps around
protecting the bed panels.

this 3/16" steel Rr. bumper design... cost me next to nothing to build as well.



But... in following the theme of using left over plastic parts, 'cuz they're there.

I used the plastic single hole cross member
as a trailer hitch.
But will likely weld something up more permanent later on.

[summerof95]

Originally Posted by sjc115

That's fantastic! Just like a tube bumper you see on real Jeeps. You could solder another tube on the top or bottom and have a double tube bumper for more realism.

Something like this?
Its mocked up with zip ties, just to see how our would look.
Phone pic!


Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

[sjc115]

That's looks great! The only thing I would personally change is to make the tubes closer in length to each other. Other than that, I think I am going to use your idea and build one myself. Great job!

[summerof95]

Be sure to post some pictures here of yours once it's built!

I'd love to see it!

[Wade]

Originally Posted by sjc115

That's looks great! The only thing I would personally change is to make the tubes closer in length to each other. Other than that, I think I am going to use your idea and build one myself. Great job!

I believe it is just to see how it would look

[CrawlSD]

Great mod bumper. Thanks for posting.

[Hammer!]

wow really cool, too bad i literally just bought a new bumper a couple of days ago :(

[Bigmud]

Great idea already scratching through my stuff to build one for my rig