TO SAVE OR REPLACE?

[SeaBee]

My 43 has had a front tow bar welded and the back has been welded for a tow hitch. what would be better grinding off gobbbs of welds from the original ?? bumper or just replacing it?

[MPMB45]

Save Anything ORIGINAL... I would try and save it first before you replace it......You can always replace it later if it does'nt turn out!

Original parts are becoming harder and harder to come by...if they are still usable ....of course there's alot of NOS left but since you already have the part in hand - you don't have to hunt for it or pay outragous prices for it. Just makes your Jeep more valuble in the long run to keep it's original equiptment! .........Good Luck!

..............................................................Matt .................................

[Bob N]

Only you can be the judge. Do you have the time and the skill to grind off the goobered up mess and fix it. Or would it be easier, faster for you to scrap that junk and start with new? If you can save it with your skills then that would be the best route to take. Just because it is an original part doesn't mean it is worth keeping or fixing. I have some goobered up steering knuckles.... that I goobered up. I thnk they are cast metal but I'm sure somewhere for some price I could have found a welder/machinist that could have saved them. I just figured that the replaement cost (NOS) was cheaper than the repair...and a lot faster.

Never work on your jeep as if it were an investment or you will surely get burned. You have to buy very low and sell high. If it costs you high you will break even at most or go broke trying to unload the jeep when you "need" too.

Good luck which ever way you go.

[Mark Tombleson]

Why don't you try to save it first and if that doesn't work out buy repros.

That way you know for sure. May take more work, especially of they cannot be saved, but it is worth the effort to try and save them.

[M38JEEPER]

If it was up to me, I would try to grind the gobbers off, do a good finish, and it wouldn't cost a thing, except a disc pad, and some elbow grease. You could allways replace it with a NOS item, and nobody would know, except you, and the jeep. TaDa!!

[rgus]

If you don't have the equipment or ability to save the bumper.... stick it on the boards here and sell it to someone that does. That way another origional part is saved and you get the NOS or Repro you need.

[SeaBee]

I think i will try to grind and cut first if it gets to be too much i will put it up for someone else to do thank you.

[M38JEEPER]

How much slag is actually on the bumper? Do you have the ability to get a cutting torch? You could always cut carfully most of the weld, then use a grinder to finish the rest. If you cut into the bumper, you could use a welder to fill the cut marks, then grind it smooth!!

[SeaBee]

there is a bunch of welding on it. i do own a welder and cutting torch. but far from a master of either one.

[M38JEEPER]

Well ,the situation is in your hands!! Do what I did, and that is by trial and error. That is how I learned how to weld, practice, practice, practice. Sounds like you got a good project ahead of you, who knows, you probably get good by doing just that!!

[SeaBee]

here is a question to any welders out there. how do you weld up a hole in the sheet metal. I saw some where the guy put a copper plate behind the hole before he welded it. as backing . does this work? will the coper attach or melt? I can weld to hold things but to make it look good ..hummm that is what my dremmel and grinder fixes. i think i will go buy a wire feeder welder . i have a hobby welder and a big arc welder. but it has been 15 years since i welded .

[Jon]

Trick question.
How big is the hole you're trying to weld up?....up to 1/2" it's Ok to use the copper plate behind the weld hole. and no! it won't stick....an Arc welder is fine, just chip and brush after each stab at it, remember to keep the weld clean, don't get excessive heat into the sheeting & have a wet rag handy....don't handle the rod with wet hands, two things happen. or could happen. you'll wreck the rod, and or, you could get a Zap...
A Mig ( wire feed) is far better naturally, but not necessary.
Cheers
Jon