Offroad Trailblazers and Envoys

Gordinho's Rear Bumper Project

Any special projects involving a decent amount of fab work (bumpers, sliders, roof racks, etc)

by Gordinho80 » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:57 am

So I want to post up and get some feedback on my bumper plans...

I wanted to do something rather simple.... so I figured a good starting point is some C-channel. I put together this quick Google Sketch... its not to spec, was just done to be a 3D guide and reference point.





I started the project with 3/8" angle for mounting legs. I planned on running them through the channel so I can use them as shackle mounts. I will beef up the inside as well as add some flat stock outside to widen the mounts enough for 3/4 shackles.
Image

Then my neighbor came through with a 10' section of 8" C. Starting with the whole piece centered to the vehicle. Cut through for the legs. Going to cut off either side right where I will make the first bend, just outside of the legs to follow the TB's lines closely. Will then notch the top and bottom of the C so I can weld the pieces on an angle. I will also cut the bottom lip of the channel off and will notch each piece to taper up 3". This will allow me to raise the sides 3" to fill in the gaps at the quarter panels. I plan on using flat stock to fill in gap under the taillights.

Image
Image
Image

I've since picked up the hardware for the legs, (4) 9/16" Grade 8 bolts per leg, utilizing the 3 factory holes per leg plus a 4th on the bottom, like JD did. Also picked up a 2" receiver and cut the channel for that as well. The receiver sits inline with the bottom of the angle legs and will be reinforced internally with more angle and flat stock, connecting it to the legs to disperse the load.

Things might be a little slow as I do not have a welder and am currently relying on my neighbor and my brother in law to do all my welding. They both lead busy lives and work many hours... so finding common time while its not 100+ degrees out is tricky.
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by Gordinho80 » Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:06 pm

Going to go with this for the swing out and latch...
http://www.emsoffroad.com/store/index.p ... cts_id=180
Image
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by Trail X » Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:14 pm

I like it!

Just some things to think about... make sure you have room to mount your swing hinge in the base. Even with my 4" wide bumper, we had to mount the hinge only half-in the bumper in order to clear the tail lights.

If you raise your side skirts 3", will your body reservoirs be hanging down below the skirt? Mine do and I think we did less of a skirt raise than 3", but I don't remember.

I think your project is already going faster than mine did.

Oh, also, plan ahead for the swingarm latch... they are a bit tricky to get right sometimes. We had to play with mine a bunch before finding a configuration that worked.
8-) Build Thread | ExPo Build | YouTube Videos
Not all who wander are lost. -Tolkien
User avatar
Trail X
Founder
 
Posts: 9935
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:22 pm
Location: VA, Roanoke
Name: James Downing
Vehicle Year: 2005
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Guide

by janesy86 » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:20 pm

Cool! Decent progress so far! Can't wait to see how it turns out! :cheers:
Build Thread
Back to stock, had fun while it lasted...
janesy86
Veteran
 
Posts: 1291
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:29 pm
Location: MA, Salem
Name: Nick Janes
Vehicle Year: 2007
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Gordinho80 » Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:24 pm

A couple more pics... hardware and the receiver sitting in it's cutout. Again, all waiting for welding.

Image
Image
Image
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by MrSmithsTB » Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:25 pm

Making one for me too? You are too kind! :raspberry:



Just a suggestion.... since it isn't going to be sealed like James', you may want to roll up that bottom edge. I.E., add a piece of metal angled upwards. It will help keep the bumper from distorting if you happen to have a run in with some hard earth...
Last edited by MrSmithsTB on Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
back in the saddle
TB BUILD
User avatar
MrSmithsTB
Veteran
 
Posts: 1756
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:28 pm
Location: EHT, NJ
Name: Bob
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Other GMT360/370
DriveTrain: AWD w/ G80
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Gordinho80 » Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:27 pm

HA! Let me get this one finished first... then we'll talk.
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by Trail X » Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:32 pm

I wouldn't use Grade 8 nuts. They are highly heat treated, and welding them will mess up the treatment and make them brittle in the heat affected areas.
8-) Build Thread | ExPo Build | YouTube Videos
Not all who wander are lost. -Tolkien
User avatar
Trail X
Founder
 
Posts: 9935
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 10:22 pm
Location: VA, Roanoke
Name: James Downing
Vehicle Year: 2005
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Expedition Guide

by djthumper » Mon Jul 25, 2011 2:35 pm

Looks like a solid plan.
User avatar
djthumper
Moderator
 
Posts: 2702
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:04 pm
Location: NV, Las Vegas
Name: Larry
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by SomeOffPave » Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:19 pm

Gordinho80 wrote:Image
Things might be a little slow as I do not have a welder and am currently relying on my neighbor and my brother in law to do all my welding. They both lead busy lives and work many hours... so finding common time is tricky.


In my mind I see you driving around town with a 10 ft. wide bumper until the neighbor has time to do the welding. :lol:
Let us know how parallel parking and backing into your garage goes.
SomeOffPave
Cruiser
 
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:44 pm
Vehicle Year: 2002
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80

by The Roadie » Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:38 pm

SomeOffPave wrote:In my mind I see you driving around town with a 10 ft. wide bumper ...
I have so wanted to have a 4' deployable extension on my rear bumper to remind folks trying to sleaze past me on the right when a lane drop happens, that they need to take a number, and the line begins BEHIND me. :finger:
User avatar
The Roadie
Founder
 
Posts: 5011
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 11:29 pm
Location: CA, Vista, San Diego County
Name: Bill Carton
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: GMC Envoy
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Expedition Guide

by NC_IslandRunner » Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:42 pm

X's 2
IF THE FISH STOP BITING... HUNT FOR SHELLS!!!
User avatar
NC_IslandRunner
Moderator
 
Posts: 3022
Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:49 pm
Location: NC, Sanford
Name: Rory
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ G80
Rank: Offroad Rated

by djthumper » Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:12 pm

The Roadie wrote:
SomeOffPave wrote:In my mind I see you driving around town with a 10 ft. wide bumper ...
I have so wanted to have a 4' deployable extension on my rear bumper to remind folks trying to sleaze past me on the right when a lane drop happens, that they need to take a number, and the line begins BEHIND me. :finger:


Definitely!
User avatar
djthumper
Moderator
 
Posts: 2702
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:04 pm
Location: NV, Las Vegas
Name: Larry
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Offroad Rated

by Blackout » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:01 pm

:Iagree:
User avatar
Blackout
Trail-Blazer
 
Posts: 310
Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:12 pm
Location: OH, Columbus
Name: Brian
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD

by mikepeters1983 » Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:50 pm

How much and when are people going to start making them?
I REFUSE TO TIP TOE THROUGH LIFE TO ARRIVE SAFELY AT DEATH!!!
mikepeters1983
Trail-Blazer
 
Posts: 473
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 8:49 pm
Location: SC, Greenville
Name: Mike
Vehicle Year: 2004
Vehicle: GMC Envoy XUV
DriveTrain: 2WD w/ G80
Rank: Trail Ready

by navigator » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:01 am

just curious why you didn't cut the steel in half and have 2 ~5ft pieces instead of 1 5ft piece and what will amount to 2 2.5 ft pieces left over?
"Please consider a search before posting. Folks on this site PIONEERED functional offroad use of these trucks."
The answer to many common lift questions can be found
here
My Build Thread
User avatar
navigator
Moderator
 
Posts: 4651
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:16 am
Location: NC, Winnabow
Name: Chris
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by Gordinho80 » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:08 am

The steel will be the entire bumper. I centered it so that I knew I would not run out of steel on either end. The angled rear facing pieces in the sketch are also the same C channel... as are the side pieces. Once I make the first cuts and add those pieces back on at their angle, you'll be able to see it better.
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

by navigator » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:11 am

I'm with you now man.
"Please consider a search before posting. Folks on this site PIONEERED functional offroad use of these trucks."
The answer to many common lift questions can be found
here
My Build Thread
User avatar
navigator
Moderator
 
Posts: 4651
Joined: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:16 am
Location: NC, Winnabow
Name: Chris
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD
Rank: Trail Ready

by HARDTRAILZ » Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:44 pm

simple and functional. I dig it.
I hate to advocate weird chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone...but
they've always worked for me.
User avatar
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
 
Posts: 6342
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:49 am
Location: IN, Batesville
Name: Kyle
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle: Chevrolet TrailBlazer
DriveTrain: 4WD w/ Aftermarket Locker
Rank: Extreme Offroader

by Gordinho80 » Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:52 pm

Finally got some more work done to the bumper. Forgive the few messy welds, this was my second time using a welder. I'm getting better.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

I've got the hitch mounted carrier on there just so that I have my spare. I will be doing a swing out carrier once the shape of the bumper is completed. I also shot it with a quick coat of spray paint in case we got some rain these next few days.
Mario - Build Thread
User avatar
Gordinho80
Lifer
 
Posts: 2787
Joined: Tue Sep 08, 2009 9:27 am
Location: NJ, Jackson
Name: Mario Almeida
Vehicle Year: Other
Vehicle: Other Vehicle
DriveTrain: 4WD

Next

Return to Fab Work

cron