Im looking to build a bumper for my XJ but not sure how thick of steel I should use. I will be making unibody tie ins as well as a winch mount. The bumper will be made of DOM (.125" thick about 1.5-2" od) but was gonna use plate steel for the mounts. I have a lead on 1.25" steel plate at .22cents per ld/sqr ft. Is this gonna be thick enough to be able to use for recovery needs ie. winching and snatching on to be pulled outta the swamps and what not.

 

Most bumpers are made out of 3/16" or 1/4". 1.25" is overkill IMO. I'm building mine out of 3/16" (it's what I have or I would be using 1/4").

 

When it comes to a bumper, there is no overkill

 

Good to know looks like Im gonna go get the steel with the work truck tomorrow

 

Holy s*** 1.25" no haha use 1/4" and 6-7 bolts per side

 

Yeah, don't use 1.25" plate. Way too much, and a lot of unneeded weight. 1/4" plate is all you need.

 

Sadly no one around me has it. So figured since its pretty cheap and would be way over kill it would do what I need

 

1.25" cheap? Man, around me, a sheet of 3/16" is over $120. I'd HATE to see how much 1.25" would cost. Mostly, that will be REAL heavy. As it is, with the bumper I have made so far (3/16") and my 8,000 pound winch, I've added around 160 pounds to the front of my XJ... and I can feel it. At least, with all my usual tools and gear in the back, my XJ sits level front and rear now.

 

Damn thats pricey and thats alot of weight just on the bumper

 

1.25 oh my god kiss the gas mileage goodbye!

3/16 is what my bumper is made out of. It's sturdy.

 

3/16 is what most use 1/4 is the max .

 

What gas mileage lol