When I bought my first Yota (a 1990 model) in 2009 I bought a WARN winch to go with it. This is my 4th Yota since then and the winch finally has a home. I bought the templates for both the front and rear bumpers from flatland4x4.com and had the local waterjet guys slice up the pieces.
The pic just shows the bigger pieces, there's bunch more and a box of smaller pieces as well under the bench.
Started with the rear bumper as it looked less intimidating than the front, ya right. There is a few pieces in the corners that are more like origami, just trying to keep them lined up for tacking was bit of a pita. Masking tape and magnets help keep things together and it eventually got it all tacked.
Next was on to the front, taking from what I learned on the rear the front went together fairly well. Clamped the top down to the table and built it upside down but first had to open up the hole for the fairlead as the one from the plans was about 2" to narrow and drill the fairlead mounting holes.
Next was the winch mount and subframe. The drawings show the winch mount, the subframe and the bumper as one welded up piece but that was going to be a real pita put together and then get to the mounting bolts. I made it so the bumper bolts to the subframe letting me mount the winch and controller and then bolt on the bumper. Test fit worked well so then it all got welded up.
Subframe painted, winch mounted and on the truck.
And the rear and front painted and on the truck. The paint is just rust paint and rollered on as I don't have a spray booth and I wanted to get it done.
I'm going to build a hinged bracket for the license plate that will cover the fairlead and flip up out of the way when I use the winch.
It took a couple of months to build but I'm retired, it's winter and I don't have anywhere else to be so it kept me out of any permanent trouble.
@mmcmdl - yes this is a different truck from the one in the picture of my WTB ad, that one was Yota #2.
Started with the rear bumper as it looked less intimidating than the front, ya right. There is a few pieces in the corners that are more like origami, just trying to keep them lined up for tacking was bit of a pita. Masking tape and magnets help keep things together and it eventually got it all tacked.
Next was on to the front, taking from what I learned on the rear the front went together fairly well. Clamped the top down to the table and built it upside down but first had to open up the hole for the fairlead as the one from the plans was about 2" to narrow and drill the fairlead mounting holes.
Next was the winch mount and subframe. The drawings show the winch mount, the subframe and the bumper as one welded up piece but that was going to be a real pita put together and then get to the mounting bolts. I made it so the bumper bolts to the subframe letting me mount the winch and controller and then bolt on the bumper. Test fit worked well so then it all got welded up.
Subframe painted, winch mounted and on the truck.
And the rear and front painted and on the truck. The paint is just rust paint and rollered on as I don't have a spray booth and I wanted to get it done.
I'm going to build a hinged bracket for the license plate that will cover the fairlead and flip up out of the way when I use the winch.
It took a couple of months to build but I'm retired, it's winter and I don't have anywhere else to be so it kept me out of any permanent trouble.
@mmcmdl - yes this is a different truck from the one in the picture of my WTB ad, that one was Yota #2.
