What size steel?

[Speedwagon]

For a vehicle that only weighs in at ~2300lbs, what size steel will I need to look for, when it comes time to do bumpers, skid plates, and such? I'm also guessing I can get away with a fairly small winch as well then, yes?

[Patrolman]

6,000 winch would be max if you are looking at something for the BRAT. Anything more and the front end will squat badly. As for skid plates, leave what it has. It will support the full weight on the front plate. Trust me. ;) I have a rear bumper that we can work a deal on. For front bumpers you can get a tube push bumper that was a factory option. They are seen from time to time in junk yards.

[Speedwagon]

You have a rear for a BRAT? Or something that can be modded to work?

[Patrolman]

I have a custom rear tube bumper with built in hitch...

[Brody]

I would go with tubing for bumpers and aluminum for any skid plates.

[1freaky1]

for a front bumper I would not use anything bigger that 1-1/4" tubing and if you want I have some aluminum we could do a skid plate for you, on the winch issue remember the theory on them is 1-1/2 times the vehicle weight is what you want.

[Speedwagon]

for a front bumper I would not use anything bigger that 1-1/4" tubing and if you want I have some aluminum we could do a skid plate for you, on the winch issue remember the theory on them is 1-1/2 times the vehicle weight is what you want.

I wasn't aware of that, but thanx!

And I just search 4wheelparts quickly for winches. There is a smittybilt 3,000lb winch for $100. Now that seems fairly cheap, considering most of the winches are all $500+ for the 6,000lb ones. But, at $100, if it craps out I could buy 5 of them before the cost of a Warn or something. Any thoughts on the Smittybilt stuff? Would that be an ok route to go, when the time comes?

[4runner freak]

I wasn't aware of that, but thanx!

And I just search 4wheelparts quickly for winches. There is a smittybilt 3,000lb winch for $100. Now that seems fairly cheap, considering most of the winches are all $500+ for the 6,000lb ones. But, at $100, if it craps out I could buy 5 of them before the cost of a Warn or something. Any thoughts on the Smittybilt stuff? Would that be an ok route to go, when the time comes?

You can get the Smittybilt XR8 winch for $299+Free shipping right now.
Link (http://www.4wheelparts.com/Winches-Winch-Accessories/XRC8-Winch.aspx?t_c=18&t_s=300&t_pt=100702&t_pl=6426&t_pn=S%2fB97281)

[1freaky1]

The smitty builts are pretty good for the money, they also have the highest horse power motors for pulling. That is what I will be getting next spring for the front and rear of my rig.