I wanted to get some opinions on the front tag bracket I made for my '04. I completed this prototype a couple of weeks ago, but the weather has sucked here for the past couple of weekends so I couldn't take any decent photos.
I have more photos posted in my gallery which should appear after review.
My bracket is made of 1/4 brushed aluminum. I replaced the plastic air dam below the radiator with a 1/4 aluminum plate bolted through the same holes used by the plastic air dam. Two struts (a little large in this prototype, I think) project forward below the chin and connect to a 6"x12" alum. plate in front of the bumper. I added tapered pieces at the top and bottom on the tag plate to reflect the lines on the front of the truck. The ground clearance is the same as the old plastic air dam, but the low clearance is pushed forward about 9.5 inches, so I have to watch when i enter a steep ramp or park in a space with a curb or tire stops.
The aluminum air dam visually stands out when looking a the truck from the front. One of the photos in my gallery shows that the tag and the aluminum air dam sort of looks like the "Bow Tie" when viewed from the right angle.
I am a lottle close to the bumper with the tag plate, hence a little piece of carboard to protect the bumper right now. I am also not pleased with the welds since they are a little sloppy (Damn it Jim... I'm an architect not a welder!). My Dad just purchased a new MAPP Gas torch and the test piece we tried last week, looked really good.
I plan on making some adjustments to the next version to correct some of the things i mentioned above. But, I wanted to get smoe other opinions before making a second attempt.
I have more photos posted in my gallery which should appear after review.
My bracket is made of 1/4 brushed aluminum. I replaced the plastic air dam below the radiator with a 1/4 aluminum plate bolted through the same holes used by the plastic air dam. Two struts (a little large in this prototype, I think) project forward below the chin and connect to a 6"x12" alum. plate in front of the bumper. I added tapered pieces at the top and bottom on the tag plate to reflect the lines on the front of the truck. The ground clearance is the same as the old plastic air dam, but the low clearance is pushed forward about 9.5 inches, so I have to watch when i enter a steep ramp or park in a space with a curb or tire stops.
The aluminum air dam visually stands out when looking a the truck from the front. One of the photos in my gallery shows that the tag and the aluminum air dam sort of looks like the "Bow Tie" when viewed from the right angle.
I am a lottle close to the bumper with the tag plate, hence a little piece of carboard to protect the bumper right now. I am also not pleased with the welds since they are a little sloppy (Damn it Jim... I'm an architect not a welder!). My Dad just purchased a new MAPP Gas torch and the test piece we tried last week, looked really good.
I plan on making some adjustments to the next version to correct some of the things i mentioned above. But, I wanted to get smoe other opinions before making a second attempt.
