madsquirel Thanks for the explanation. The welder is MIG using a 25% mix (non-fluxcore) and that was a single pass. I thought with MIG the weld will end up convex (mounded up?) whereas with stick it will become concave (fillet).

I am going to paint it and bolt it on as is for now without adding the hitch receiver and avoid using it as a recovery point. I'll just keep it on as a bumper. Then after I do a body lift I will remake the brackets using a stronger welder. Think I will be okay?

What about the welds on the tubing? The tubing is 1/8" thick while the welder is capable to 3/16ths. HERE IS A LINK TO THE TUBING WELDS. I understand where the tubing is welded to the 1/4" plate I will probably need to grind and reweld, but are the other welds (tubing-to-tubing) okay? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again for your advice; you are incredibly helpful.