Stubby Front and Rear Bumpers with covered ends...
#21
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Montclair, VA
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok I'm to go try this.... and I was wondering what you did with the side brackets on the rear bumper? right now it looks you would have to either remove them completely or bend them out of the way? or remove them and use the existing 2 holes to put thru the new sides of the stubby?? anyway I don't know what i'll try yet, but i'm about to do it.... wish me luck!
#22
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Montclair, VA
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok, here it is...
my welds look nasty as all! but they are holding up. I put some sheet metal screws into the end pieces to hold them on while I did the welding stuff. I also left the stock bolts in the front bumper, so mine is a tad wider then Dozer's but I think it turned out ok, not a total disaster, haha... but close I plan on just Hurculine it all later so hopefully that will cover up my nasty welds.
my welds look nasty as all! but they are holding up. I put some sheet metal screws into the end pieces to hold them on while I did the welding stuff. I also left the stock bolts in the front bumper, so mine is a tad wider then Dozer's but I think it turned out ok, not a total disaster, haha... but close I plan on just Hurculine it all later so hopefully that will cover up my nasty welds.
#24
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Montclair, VA
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh, I found that using a torch worked better then the little butane portable torch/soldering iron I tried (it was a piece of crap) so I'd use something with a stronger flame, the little butane one I tried at first did more heating and warping the plastic then it did melting.... Mine don't look half as good as Rubidozer's, but I tried and it was fun to do something next to free that looks so good! at a distance it looks nice but up close it looks like some of my old G.I.Joe toys that I mutilated with a wood burning kit.... I guess somethings never change....
#25
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Cool, CA
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They work! And I commend you on having the balls to try it! It isn't easy, and we'll definitely be in the elite ranks of those who are willing to cut, bend, and mutilate our rigs! Congratulations..... Now go beat the snot out of your rig to see if they will fall off!!!
#26
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Montclair, VA
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They work! And I commend you on having the balls to try it! It isn't easy, and we'll definitely be in the elite ranks of those who are willing to cut, bend, and mutilate our rigs! Congratulations..... Now go beat the snot out of your rig to see if they will fall off!!!
#28
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Cool, CA
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The next modification to my front stubby will be mounting a winch in it with a hawse fairlead. I'm gonna have to do it differently than INLO did his in the write-up, but that's because I have my swaybar disconnect motor in there.
Now to find a free winch......
Now to find a free winch......
#30
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Cool, CA
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And I also found that the torch with a small flame is perfect for cleaning-up and smoothing all the rough edges and it will even fix any scratches in the bumper and flares!...
If you aren't familiar with how to weld plastic, just use slight movements in a knitting/stabbing motion. It should look a little like stitching. Just be sure to allow the plastic to heat enough so the weld penetrates deep enough into the bumper to hold it firmly. If you don't, the weld will split apart. Also, be sure to allow the weld to cool before letting go of the pieces or they will split...
Also, don't forget to use some extra trimmings from the plastic bumper pieces. You will need them to fill any gaps in the two ends being fused together.