[Graidian]

Alright, so I KNOW I saw where someone else did this, and it is such a simple thing, but I cannot for the life of me find the post. First, a thousand-word picture:

As you know, I have the damage multiplier. I am about to pull it off to put the WAM bumper in place and the reattach the guard. In the process I would like to do two things.

1. If possible, link the WAM bumper and guard together with some bracketing for structural stability.
2. Reinforce the guard to the frame of the truck a bit for added/actual protection.

At the moment, the guard is attached down below (white arrow) and lightly midway up (green arrow). The green arrow seems like it is just a very slight connection to keep the guard from bending back in a heavy wind. The majority of the mounting/structure comes from below...the white arrow. I want to SWEAR that I saw someone put a reinforcement bracket near where the orange bar is. This bracket would pass through the plastic bumper (the section highlighted in blue), bolt (somehow, I will know when I get in there) to the frame and the bolt to the uprights (red arrow) to add some reinforcement to the guard. I know this is no substitute for an aftermarket bumper designed for taking abuse, but I am hoping it will help in the even of a minor fender-bender or some trail mishaps.

So...my question...can someone find that thread? Or if you are the one that did something similar, could you point me at your post about it? Thanks!

 

[LittleBull]

Alright, so I KNOW I saw where someone else did this, and it is such a simple thing, but I cannot for the life of me find the post.
So...my question...can someone find that thread? Or if you are the one that did something similar, could you point me at your post about it? Thanks!

On mine I used some 3/4 x 3/16" angle iron and 5/16" SS nuts and bolts. Had to cut and fold the inside
attachment end of the angle iron to bolt it to the "internal" bumper.

I don't expect it to stand up to a collision, but I CAN take a good bump and push someone out of the
way if needed. It also stabilizes it for use of the tow hooks if I need to pull or be pulled.

I'm still thinking about that WAM bumper, my daughter lives in Douglasville about two miles from
them and I stop in every time I'm up there to see what they're up to.

 

[Graidian]

Yes! Those were the pictures I remember seeing. I wouldn't mind having the support be a bit higher, but until I tear the front apart and see what I'm up against it's hard telling what will work and what won't, especially installing the bumper AND guard...

 

[LittleBull]

Yeah, I don't think there was anything else behind the grill that I'd trust to take up any kind of
impact. So maybe you can make bracket to transfer the load from higher up, down to the winch-bumper,
or angle down to the internal bumper though. Modern vehicles aren't really designed to take much of an
impact. Let us know what you figure out.

 

[Graidian]

Yeah, short of some creative triangulation I'm not sure. I figure I'll mount the bumper and guard both up without the plastic covers or grills in the way, figure up securing them and then cut the plastic to fit it. Just a matter of whether I brave the cold (and turn the heater in the garage on) or wait for warmer weather...

 

[The other Sean]

You should just crawl around the front of my truck since I already have the WAM winch mount. I've also got the lower valance removed, so you can see up under things. Might help to see it in place first.

 

[Graidian]

Would be a lot easier if we could get together! :lol:

But seriously, we should, there's quite a few things I'd like to check out on your rig before I get too deep in the rabbit hole...

 

[The other Sean]

One look at my paint and you will avoid the rabbit hole that is off road completley.....