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Homemade bumper?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by TwilightTinkerer, Jun 24, 2009.

  1. TwilightTinkerer

    TwilightTinkerer Just a guy!

    Has anyone ever seen a bumper/rear like this? Is it stock or something homemade? I would like to remove it and install a 2 bar with hitch aftermarket bumper, however, I am not sure how the bracket with the rear two body mount bolts will reattach to the frame?:?
    Here is what I currently have...
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. featured

    featured Member

    I may be wrong, but i`ve been doing alot of research lately, alot of diagrams and parts indicate that that is the rear-most cross member and the body mounts are important. Of course on mine, the body mounts are rusted through and were only attached to the frame. If I needed a hitch i`d probably hide it right behind this cross member - that is between the cross member and gas tank - then install an aftermarket bumper outside of it all in a way that you have a "hidden hitch".
     
  3. featured

    featured Member

    I just realized you have the same hitch that I do. I thought mine was some heavy & hideous creation built on a farm somewhere.
     
  4. kunaji

    kunaji New Member

    That looks like the stock bumper to me.
     
  5. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    That's the factory "drawbar" but maybe not installed correctly? I don't recognize where that top bracket connects to. The triangular piece that the ball goes in has been hacked off, but that's the drawbar. Very common option for the CJs.
     
  6. earlswrench

    earlswrench Member

    I had the same chrome hitch set up on my '72 CJ5. It was bent upward from the PO towing stuff that was too heavy. At first, I thought it was after market because it looked so awkward and the welds holding it on were really bad (spatter everywhere, overcutting, weld wires not ground off). Then, when I got the body off, I realized that all the welds on the frame sucked. Amatuer day in Toledo the day mine came off the line, I guess.

    I grinded off the hitch but I didn't want to remove the cross member (although it looks like a cheap rear bumper, it's the only thing holding the back end of the frame together). I figure I'll get a new back bumper and find a way to weld it to the cross member in a way that doesn't look like it was done on a farm.

    I've still got the chrome hitch attachment if anyone wants it.
     
  7. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    The factory drawbar bolts on. If you have the drawbar, and it was welded on, you can't blame the factory.
     
  8. earlswrench

    earlswrench Member

    It was bolted and welded. I guess the welding was a PO decision.
     
  9. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Replace the entire rear crossmember with a sturdier unit before you bolt a new bumper on.

    Something like this, in 3/16 designed for YJ/TJ could be made to fit:

    http://www.atozfabrication.com/store/product.php?productid=16184&cat=275&page=1

    Here's a CJ7 replacement piece:
    http://www.atozfabrication.com/store/product.php?productid=16323&cat=304&page=1

    Kaiser Willys has some factory-type replacements:
    http://www.kaiserwillys.com/category/willys_framerepair

    Here's alot of discussion as related to the CJ3B rear cross. I'm sure much the same applies to CJ5s:
    http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech/RearBumper.html

    Classic Enterprises makes some rear crossmembers in original gage, as well as some other cool stuff:
    http://www.classicent.com/jeep.php#car5175

    HTH
     
  10. jeeper78

    jeeper78 Jeepin' N' Dunin'

    Same setup I have on mine, and its stock.. some day I will probably change it but for now it works fine.
     
  11. HeavyIron

    HeavyIron Member 2024 Sponsor

    I think I found your steering wheel ;)