Icecobra
FRF Addict
I began this thread since I got a couple PM's about why I named it in the other thread. Suggested I rename it and I dont see that as an option so I will re-write it.
Day one started like any other day trying to figure the cost to build my own versus buy one on line. I talked to the folks over at outlaw Raptor as they had a front mount aftermarket receiver hitch on a truck build they did. Told me it was a one off and custom for that customer. I asked them about others I had seen on the net. To avoid any finger pointing or any controversy I am not going to say any ones is better or worse than any other so I decided to go it alone. My son owns a welder says he is a welder but at least he is farther along than I am. I added a 220 volt outlet in my garage and decided to go ahead and give it a whirl I mean how much damage could we do anyway. After reviewing several others online I used a partial idea that I got from Ironmans build here on this forum. Materials wise it was simple 3/8 plate steel and some 3X5 boxed steel to re-enforce it. I knew going in that about the perfect height to stick through the lower air dam on the front this should work. So after the materials purchase about $70.00 in all we headed for home. I figure keep it simple stupid and I should not have to many problems. We took the lower skid plate off for access and used clamps to hold stuff in place. We lined things up and trimmed the lower valance to accept the hitch. At the end of day one we had a pretty good idea how to fit everything and as the sun went down it got cold quick so we called it a day. Morning on day two brought us to clamp everything in place and test fit things. Tacked the metal in a few places and verified clearance for hoses and things. Lowered it down and made sure we could get it in and out easy enough. So the welding begins, about 4 hours later it was together. Ground down the whole thing and test fit it. Wholly crap no things don’t fit… With the Ford racing products light bar and the factory D rings things don’t line up. The D-rings are far to low and we had to anguish for a bit to come up with an answer. My son wants to cut the valance on my truck. Cutting things on 50k truck gets nerve racking in a hurry. After trying multiple ideas and nothing working as best we could tell if we just cut the small pice off the valance everything fits. So with a knot in my stomache I said go ahead. We followed the body lines down and trimmed it pretty well. We bolted it all together and then test fit the skid plate, and it just cleared. So with test fitting out of the way off to powder coating, since the light bar was grey I wanted black off it went as well.
Day three was easy, call about every two hours and ask if it was ready yet?
Day four Saturday rain forcast so I want to hurry up and get this done before it rains. Slight smashing of my fingers and few choice words and the first two bolts are in. Slide in the light bar and the tow hooks and presto everything fits. I had gone down on day three to Fastenal and picked up some grade 12.9 bolts 60 mm length to address the 3/8 plate, light bar, and tow hooks. I used the factory nuts as they are a pinch nut and since the load is really a shear load across the bolt the bolt was what concerned me. With everything back in place the last order of business was torque to proper specs and thanks to this forum I had those ready on a sheet I printed and hung in the garage. Thanks to this forum for the knowledge it passes on, Ironman for his picture of materials and my son for not setting my garage on fire again, and doing most of the work…. Thanks all…
Also for an FYI it weighs in at 60 pounds....
Day one started like any other day trying to figure the cost to build my own versus buy one on line. I talked to the folks over at outlaw Raptor as they had a front mount aftermarket receiver hitch on a truck build they did. Told me it was a one off and custom for that customer. I asked them about others I had seen on the net. To avoid any finger pointing or any controversy I am not going to say any ones is better or worse than any other so I decided to go it alone. My son owns a welder says he is a welder but at least he is farther along than I am. I added a 220 volt outlet in my garage and decided to go ahead and give it a whirl I mean how much damage could we do anyway. After reviewing several others online I used a partial idea that I got from Ironmans build here on this forum. Materials wise it was simple 3/8 plate steel and some 3X5 boxed steel to re-enforce it. I knew going in that about the perfect height to stick through the lower air dam on the front this should work. So after the materials purchase about $70.00 in all we headed for home. I figure keep it simple stupid and I should not have to many problems. We took the lower skid plate off for access and used clamps to hold stuff in place. We lined things up and trimmed the lower valance to accept the hitch. At the end of day one we had a pretty good idea how to fit everything and as the sun went down it got cold quick so we called it a day. Morning on day two brought us to clamp everything in place and test fit things. Tacked the metal in a few places and verified clearance for hoses and things. Lowered it down and made sure we could get it in and out easy enough. So the welding begins, about 4 hours later it was together. Ground down the whole thing and test fit it. Wholly crap no things don’t fit… With the Ford racing products light bar and the factory D rings things don’t line up. The D-rings are far to low and we had to anguish for a bit to come up with an answer. My son wants to cut the valance on my truck. Cutting things on 50k truck gets nerve racking in a hurry. After trying multiple ideas and nothing working as best we could tell if we just cut the small pice off the valance everything fits. So with a knot in my stomache I said go ahead. We followed the body lines down and trimmed it pretty well. We bolted it all together and then test fit the skid plate, and it just cleared. So with test fitting out of the way off to powder coating, since the light bar was grey I wanted black off it went as well.
Day three was easy, call about every two hours and ask if it was ready yet?
Day four Saturday rain forcast so I want to hurry up and get this done before it rains. Slight smashing of my fingers and few choice words and the first two bolts are in. Slide in the light bar and the tow hooks and presto everything fits. I had gone down on day three to Fastenal and picked up some grade 12.9 bolts 60 mm length to address the 3/8 plate, light bar, and tow hooks. I used the factory nuts as they are a pinch nut and since the load is really a shear load across the bolt the bolt was what concerned me. With everything back in place the last order of business was torque to proper specs and thanks to this forum I had those ready on a sheet I printed and hung in the garage. Thanks to this forum for the knowledge it passes on, Ironman for his picture of materials and my son for not setting my garage on fire again, and doing most of the work…. Thanks all…
Also for an FYI it weighs in at 60 pounds....
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