Rat repair.

[mcbassin]

I like the cart.

[Dean'smeanmachine]

nice torch setup

[DWilbur]

I agree some of HF stuff is junk. you did a good job cleaning it up should last long time.

[CUSTOM/10]

Your gas cart rig looks good, similar to what I made yrs a go, but mines for a "B" tank set-up, a bit smaller than yours, but it's all I really need !

Gary

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

I agree some of HF stuff is junk. you did a good job cleaning it up should last long time.

Man, have I ever been down that road!

HF gizmo = $30
Same thing made in USA = $100
HF gizmo + labor to make it work = $200

[swamp rat]

Thanks guys i appreciate the comps! I'll call it a lesson learned though, i could have spent the time working on my bumper.

I worked this weekend so didn't get anything done to the rat, but I slapped this big wing bolt together in about 25 minutes, I think it sticks out too far so I'll mod it some day....or not.. Should paint the chevy orange tubes ether black or red someday too. Did a little garage straightening, re plumbed my air manifold to move both dryers to the down stream end then plumbed it into my hose reel i got for my birthday last year, then a little weed wacking before going to work..

Don't know why but I'm not getting email notifications from all you guys lately, got one was from mcbassin, then from custom/10 in the last 3 days.

[Dale_Brown]

Just found your thread!

You are an inspiration for me to start my project. Will be following your thread.

For your three steps forward and two steps back method it is not in vane. Your R&D on procedure and modification will save me countless hours.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Dale_Brown

Just found your thread!

You are an inspiration for me to start my project. Will be following your thread.

For your three steps forward and two steps back method it is not in vane. Your R&D on procedure and modification will save me countless hours.

Thanks Dale i appreciate the compliment.

But that 3 steps forward and 2 steps back is not a preferred method! LOL But i take it in stride when it happens.


EDIT I havn't posted any progress the last few days but i have been working on the rear bumper and mounts, the bumper looked a lot better in the pictures than when i got it so its a bit of work. I'll post more later.

[swamp rat]

So here's the bumper i bought off the board from Randy, I paid more to ship it to me than what i paid for the bumper but i liked the look of it so figured it was worth it.

As you can see its got quite a bow in it plus a little bend in the upper plate as well as the same side had a big dent in the face of the bumper (right side where the paint is gone, and the bottom was pretty bent up as well.

Saved these old 1/2" plate brackets from my old bumper as re drilling holes is a pita. the soap stone is if course where i had to trim them back. I'll reinforce the plate by adding a triangular piece on the bottom, possibly a couple pieces of 2" angle but not too sure its necessary.

[swamp rat]

First order of business is to figure the best way to straighten it without a large press, decided i'd better cut it apart a little first so i removed the upright plate and the license plate mount plate, and the two little tabs in the center section that were pretty much worthless so i cut them off too..

[swamp rat]

Then i figured being as both sides had cracked out at the bottom weld the best thing was to grab the plasma cutter and cut the top of both sides where they join the center section, then clamp it to my table and then use the rose bud to heat the area adjacent to the cuts and get them to lay flat.

I used the rose bud to get the face of the one side flat, still have a lot of work to do on the bottom edge tho, gonna need to reshape the radius..

I dug up a piece of 2"X2" 1/4" angle and clamped it to the bumper and now its ready to start stitching back up.

That's as far as i got on it before work today.

[Molberg]

Looks like you got her trued up there now... Odd it was bowed out. Seen that once after a buddy of mine years back tried to pull a stump out. Lol

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Molberg

Looks like you got her trued up there now... Odd it was bowed out. Seen that once after a buddy of mine years back tried to pull a stump out. Lol

Yea thats what i was thinking too, that or another truck stuck in the mud.

Its not super heavy duty that's for sure, but with the lift and class 4 hitch under it i don't think it needs to be.

Naturally its been raining this morning, hopefully it will stop when i'm ready to start welding, had a 10X10 awning but it got destroyed last fall.

When im done stitching and mounting i'll take it off and take it to the media blaster not too far away and get them to blast and prime it for me.

[swamp rat]

Well this bumper didn't cooperate, every weld wanted to make it move and flex, i even had the sides of the bumper bent a little in the opposite direction of the bend it had but even tacking it all into place once i finished welding it all it warped back in the same direction a bit, bit not as bad as it was.

The upper part had 2 sharp bends in it, I had to support the plate on pieces of scrap and put a clamp in the center at the bend, give it some preload and then heat it with the rose bud, of course i gave it a littler too much preload about 4 different times but i got it pretty close.

Guess it will have to do.

[swamp rat]

So i know my arm was getting splattered with weld splatter and grinding sparks but i was too focused to go get a long sleeve shirt. LOL! I should know better!

I still have to put this license plate mount plate back on, i figure i'll close the ends in while i'm at it.

But today i spend with my wife..

[Dean'smeanmachine]

thats one of those big a$$ bumpers like mine

[rgunlock]

Those welding/grinding sparks are a LOT of fun when they slip under the straps on flip-flops! - I saw someone else do it

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Dean'smeanmachine

thats one of those big a$$ bumpers like mine

Well, its nothing like the diving platform that was on the back before, and its not as big and bulky as some of the bumpers i have seen on these trucks.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Those welding/grinding sparks are a LOT of fun when they slip under the straps on flip-flops! - I saw someone else do it

......Yea....... Yea....... that's it..... Someone else did it. That's your story and your stickin to it!


Yea that much i know better, the upright part fell off the table and landed on my foot yesterday, if course the steel toe didn't help as it hit above the toe. Isn't that how it always works?

[DWilbur]

I did some thing similar today with cutting wheel but it was my gut. Had to stand off to the side as I was to lazy to put on my welding jacket.

[mcbassin]

Nice work on the bumper. Ouch!

[Dean'smeanmachine]

i love these big bumpers. when someone rearends you you dont feel it

[Mustard72]

Looks a lot straighter from here. Gonna rework mine, too. 'Twas rear ended by a kid a few years ago. It bent the mounts, but the bumper came through relatively unscathed. The diamond plate on the top of mine is rotted through in quite a few spot and will need replacing. Yours looks like it should clean up nicely now that you've straightened it out.

[swamp rat]

Slapped it up on the mounts shortly before work, i somehow ended up being 1/4" low on the passenger side so i'll have to weld a 1/4" shim to that mount. I also took the time to add plates to each side of that license plate mount bracket to close it in.

I may not be Ryan when it comes to welding (don't we all wish) but i know i have good heat and penetration so it will last.

Cant wait to see this thing in paint, all the white and rust makes it look like its warped allover the place.

I have been debating on both front and back bumper should i keep the white? or just go with bumper black. Leaning towards black.

Now the big concern, can i put it back on the mounts in place and get it tagged in place before i have it fall on me ....

And can i keep the heat in control enough to keep the mounts from getting warped to where i can still unbolt and remove/replace.

[NONHOG]

Bumper is looking good! Nice size.
Probably have another metal meet in Aug. Watch the WCMS site for a date.