anyone welded a reciever tube to a ranchhand rear bumper?

[PSDan000]

im going to need to weld one on mine with the lift im putting on, i bought a 2"x12" long reciever tuber at tsc, you guys think it would be ok to just weld that right to the bottom of the bumper? anyone have pics of what they did? thanks

[Fordpowrstroke73]

Dan did ya get ur tranny done yet?

[Darth_Stroker]

I bought one that bolted to my bumper with grade 8 bolts from tsc and then welded it on also.

Alan

[PSDan000]

[ QUOTE ]
Dan did ya get ur tranny done yet?

[/ QUOTE ]

its in the shop right now, then when it gets back i get to tear it all back apart and put my IC and lift on [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Thanks Alan i will check that out.

[SoB]

Mine has been that way since day one back in '96. Works great, drilled plate for two d-rings for the safety chains.

Steve

[TERRCO]

I did the exact same thing Darth_Stroker did with probably the same part from the same store.It has been on the truck for some time now.I'll post a picture as soon as I have time to take one.

[PSDan000]

is this what you guys are referring to?

http://tractorsupply.com/detail.asp?pcID...productID=28302

[tjbeggs]

I hope not. That thing is only rated for a 3,500 pound trailer!

[Darth_Stroker]

similar, I'm pretty sure mine is alot thicker and the chain holes were in a diffent location etc. I don't tow alot but I've pulled an 8000lb boat and a 32' tongue pull camper with no problems. I bought mine in 98 or 99.

[TheRubberDuck]

I don't have a Ranch hand rear, but I did weld my 2" reciever tube to my bumper. But I welded it on top where the ball used to mount. I have the stock chrome drop bumper. I think it's much stronger on top because you can weld down each side, and up and over the back. Then just get a drop hitch a couple of inches longer. But to counter act the longer drop hitch, I welded two 1-1/4" solid steel rod stringers to the frame that meet under the reciever tube. Kinda like ladder bars for the bumper. And I'm glad I did. I pulled a dump trailer WAAAAAY overloaded with just under 14k of scap iron. It handled it no problem. Bolt and weld is better, but I just went with the tube itself. Good luck man.

[Aljay]

Um my ranchhand replacement bumper is welded on the top of the drop instead of under it only reason I could think of was maybe so it would not drag or dig in if you were wheeling? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[stoneburgfarmer]

I removed the bumper, turned it over, then welded mine on with the reinforceing ring edge against the rear edge of bumper. Then I took a piece of flat bar from junk pile about 1/4" x 1" x 9" or so bent it like this \_/ and welded it just behind the ring and to bumper flush with back edge of bumper, this gives you a place for the safety chains, plus it reinforces the tube/bumper weld,& leaves you a flat step area. Pulled all over US with it. ( bumper is rated 1000/10,000 )

[crfinc]

Dan, I welded a thin version of the tube you describe to my rear bumper, using a 110 miller. I was a career welder, but anyone with a little exp. and common sense can acheive the same results. I had a 20' bumper pull loaded with about 20-25k lbs of wood posts. Traveled around 20 miles, through the city, and never once did the weld or tube ever crack. I used that hitch for about 2 years, then decided to go with a reese when I started hauling my horses.

I'm sure someone will throw there unwanted 2 cents in about how stupid that was, so before anyone does, don't.

Dan, with the proper weld it will hold fine. If you do weld it, once it cools some, spray it with black paint, flat or gloss. That way if the weld does ever start to crack, you will be able to see it easier.

And BTW, I didn't doubt my welding abilities when I cut my tube off, and replaced it with a reese, just got tired of hearing my wifes
b!tching at me about the safety of her horses when they were being trailered.