a dang shame i don't live closer Jim, I would have been more than glad to have come to help with the bumper.I know what a bear those things can be.
Back shortly after 9/11 I still lived in VA and was working for a masonry company.One of our jobs was doing the block and brick work for the police dept. that was getting more security .when they decided to move the boiler room there was alot of pipe they was throwing out so i got permission from the town via the cheif of police to take it.
out of all that pipe my neighbors father and i made 4 trucks a set of pipe bumpers.we are all very accomplished welders and we had enough people to lift and hold in place while the 2 smaller guys(the neighbors sons/my closest friends) stuck in the bolts and tightened them. even with the three of us holding the bumpers they was heavy. We spared nothing as far as strength or weight.we spent alot of time in the mountains where heavy brush and branches could wreak havock on a grill and headlights.There was also the everyday driving where deer running out in front of you was a normal thing. This was also shortly after i got my truck back together after tearing it apart to rebuild/paint it. alot of new body parts,a second fuel tank and a cleaned and painted with hammerite frame and under the bed and cab. I was looking at lift kits and decided to get a stiffer taller lift than i wanted do to the added weight would lower it a bit and soften the ride.
that should be something that you keep in mind as well Jim,if it isn't already there. the added weight will lower your jeep a bit and soften the ride,maybe to soft. so you may need a bit more added lift and stiffer shocks to get the lift you want. someone does make an adjustable spring mount that you can add a little more lift by just installing it. [img][image]
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d60/cuervo25/p18382.jpg[/img][/image]
they are about 230 bucks a pair but will add 1 inch without adujtment. now that your a jeeper again BJ quadratec, and 4wd hardware are wonderful catalogs to have on hand.
