Marlenstein bumper finally complete

[Triathlete]

HaHa...nothing was mandatory when I was in the Corp. but we WOULD have 100% participation

[Marlin]

I know its been awhile, but I have had some technical difficulties. I picked up some 3/8" plate at the local metal shop. Cut the new brackets, then tried to drill the holes. I ruined at least 4 dill bits, each around 25 bucks before I gave in. (Yes I used cutting oil, slow speed, tried drilling pilot holes, notta) Took it to the fab shop, they broke a very expensive punch that they use in a 90K ton press. They had to send it out to get it cut with a water cutter(expensive). No one has any idea what kind of steel this is, but their ridiculous cutter had problems shearing it as well. It was a piece of scrap they had in the back they got form the base. It took me about 1 hour and several cutting wheels to cut each piece. Needless to say it will be the strongest piece on my entire truck.This weekend I will finish the bumper lift, I have new rims and tires on order for the trailer in preps for the Hallowharrie trip in a few weeks. I added an electric jack, and a solar charger, deep cycle battery and inverter to the trailer ya'll saw in Moab. That trailer is now mine. I will post up pics when I am done.

[Riff Raff]

I picked up some 3/8" plate at the local metal shop. It was a piece of scrap they had in the back they got from the base.

There lies your problem, MARLIN. That specific plate was probably leftover "armor-plate" from one of your U.S.N. vessels and/or gun turrets.

[vt_maverick]

Depleted uranium perhaps?

[samneil2000]

Titanium?

[tom4bren]

There lies your problem, MARLIN. That specific plate was probably leftover "armor-plate" from one of your U.S.N. vessels and/or gun turrets.

Prolly so much carbon in it that it'd shatter like glass if you dropped it on concrete.

[snowtrooper1966]

Unobtainum?
Adamantium?

[tom4bren]

Marlintanium???

[Marlin]

Alright boys and girls, I am fairly far along on Rev 2 of the bumper. I am following Orions concept. I cut the front cladding, just above the turn signal housing. I think I am going to do LED bars for the turn signals. Driving lights will go in the foglight housing. This is much easier than the original project, although not as flashy I don't think it will look as clean as Orions does, but his metal skills are far better than mine. I elected to use 2x3 1/8" tubing vice 2x4. It fit my brackets perfect. Got it all welded up, just gotta do the angles. I will post some pics soon.

[Marlin]

What I did today:
Removed marlenstein rev1 (just to make Justin happy)
Labeled all wires for future hook up
Mounted front cladding from junkyard VX
Marked off line for cutting
Cut said cladding
Tacked steel tubing to existing brackets
removed brackets, spent two hours welding (had to go to lowes to get new welding tips...grrrrr.)
Took a break
burnt all hair off of arm while cutting notch and welding first bend
remounted bumper to check bend point and fit, took some pics, smiled...
on break again


Left to go:
3 more notches and bends
final trim on cladding
cut the ends and weld caps on(not looking forward to that)
Remove entire assembly, wire brush, primer, rhino line bumper and front cladding.
Figure out something to make it stand out. No hitch this time, I have never used it.
Install foglights, LEDs, and voila, project complete.

Then its on to frame and bracket restoration with POR15. I have to install passenger seatbelt with new assembly, few tie downs in the back, and she is ready to go for Beasley Knob meet. The next project will be to tackle the brakes. I am going to try the indy4x brake lines, if no improvement, gettin new booster. Not much left to do after that.

[Ascinder]

Come on man, you know you want to

[RamAirZ]

hahahahaha

[Marlin]

Come on man, you know you want to

Thats funny, we were talking about that at work on Thur. One of the guys just bought an 84 Chevy pickup, John Deere rattle can. nice truck overall. I told him to make some railroad tie bumpers, that would rip a car in half for sure. LOL.