I'm starting with a Warn winch bumper off a K5 Blazer and planning to re-create the frame mounts for a postmount FSJ. I have detailed pics of the OEM style brackets, which have helped a lot. I bought some steel yesterday. The OEM brackets are basically angle iron that extend from the frame horns and the bumper is then bolted to them. The angle iron is attached to the frame with some strap steel at the rear, welded to the angle iron and bolted to a threaded hole in the frame just below the front body mount. The angle iron is also bolted to the front crossmember with a piece of "L" shaped steel. Hard to describe with words and I don't have the pics handy.
The FSJ frame is about 34" wide and the winch plate on the bumper is about 27" wide. So I was going to run a piece of 1/4" steel, 6" wide by 34" long across the angle iron then center the bumper on that. The sheet would be welded to the angle iron and the bumper bolted to it. All the steel I purchased is 1/4".
My truck does have a 3" body lift so I was considering some 3x6 1/4" tube instead of the flat steel. The tube could be bolted or welded to the angle iron and bolted to the front crossmember. The bumper would then sit on top of that. The bumper would then match the body lines better, but would be further from the frame. On the other hand, the tube would be bolted directly to the front crossmember so should be structurally sound. Any thoughts?
My only experiences with winch bumpers have been bolt on so I'm hoping some of you fabricators out there can offer some constructive criticism. Thanks
1968 J2000 - AMC 327/T18/D20 (twin stick), stock D44s, 3" body lift, 35x12.50 Goodyear MTRs w/ Kevlar