I'm working on building a "5 MPH" bumper for the dually. The unit is made of 5"x5"x3/16" square steel tubing. The project will take me a couple of weeks to finish, but from the progress I've made so far, I'm really happy with the results. I had to stop at this point due to beer overload LMAO! I'm not finished with it by any means. Any input is appreciated .

Look like a good start on a deer strainer...

The bumper on my 79 C30... caught 3 cars. I had to rustoleum every couple of years. Only damage in the 20 years I had it, a garage once busted my trailer plug when they pushed it.

restoration in progress

I always liked the look of that bumper on a serious truck. Here shown with my 5th wheel Scamper Camper, my home between marriages. (now long gone) Second photo before the cab off restoration.

It was fabbed of channel iron, a plate welded on the back for the lic plate recess. A section of pipe was fitted to the ends to round them. Originally mounted with 3 huge bolts each side. The first time I was rear ended, the bolts on one side sheared. We put it back with 4 bolts each side & welded stops that butted the frame. The welder fabbed the 2X2 hitch insert & it was never as good a fit as Reese. I regreted not buying & welding a manufactured insert... or getting a better fabricator. As I said, the trailer plug was damaged once so might have been better located.

More pics, but I'm still not done

Thank you for your input and pics flagmanruss! Channel iron is good stuff to use for a bumper, depending on thickness. Sounds like you've got some pretty thick iron for your unit. My bumper is only 3/16" thick, but is tubular. I use 1/2" Grade 8 genuine Caterpillar bolts and nuts to hold the bumper to the frame, 4 bolts per side. I have 5/8" Grade 8 Caterpillar nuts and bolts if the need arises, but after I'm done with the gussets on the bumper, I may not need the 5/8" bolts At this point, my dad(who has a tendency to overbuild stuff) and I feel like the frame is the weak point. I'll be addressing that in the future. Thanks again guys!

I show the pics to MoparMom and she and myself is impressed with the bumper so far... You might end up make me one next...

Latest progress on the bumper.....

More progress...

Your quicker than I was about pics... :banghead:

Nice cow catcher!

Nice cow catcher!

What's nice about it is the upper tubing is not just welded to the top of the main bumper it actually passes through the main tube and is welded at both end giving some serious strength. Boy has the skills to weld that is for sure.

Nice!!!

Finally made some more progress on the bumper. I really like how its coming along, and I'm almost done with it

I like the front mounted stinger... Be really good for your trailer for stuffing in tight places...

Nice bumper

Awesome build. Love the beef.  What are you welding with and how do you like it? Looks like a 211 maybe bigger?

Edited July 28, 20195 yr by Evan