just not sure

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i have a 2000 f250 and i want  to weld a plate to the bumper behind the liscense plate to prevent damage from a trailer tongue and i would like to know the risks of damaging the trucks electrical can anyone help ???....because im just not sureLast edited by welder in training; 04-08-2011 at 11:59 AM.
Reply:get out a handy drop light and make sure there is no wiring behind where you want to weld, also make sure the fuel tank is protected, probably the best solution is to remove the bumper and weld, this will give you better positioning to lay a good bead and far away from fuel or wires..
Reply:You'd be better off to just bolt the plate on... not like there's a lot of meat to the bumper in that area to weld to, and you're more likely to have a rust issue when you start grinding the chrome off and welding a part on than if you drill out the holes, paint everything, and bolt it together with something like grade 8 bolts that wont rust as fast.  You could probably get away with a piece of 1/4 the size of the license plate that goes through roughly the same holes, just larger bolts.Last edited by texastech_diesel; 04-08-2011 at 04:53 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by texastech_dieselYou'd be better off to just bolt the plate on... not like there's a lot of meat to the bumper in that area to weld to, and you're more likely to have a rust issue when you start grinding the chrome off and welding a part on than if you drill out the holes, paint everything, and bolt it together with something like grade 8 bolts that wont rust as fast.  You could probably get away with a piece of 1/4 the size of the license plate that goes through roughly the same holes, just larger bolts.
Reply:Or just drive around with a bent plate like I do because of the same reason."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I think I know a better way.If the damage that you may incur is because you are backing up to a trailer to connect the trailer hitch there is a thing that you weld to the hitch bar that makes the trailer line up if you are with in 6 ins or so.It is a "V" shaped device. I will post a photo.You do have to set the correct height.You could even make it curved.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 04-08-2011 at 05:25 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:A backup camera works pretty good too.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:generally if you disconnect the battery  cables before welding you have improved the chance you wont frick up the car
Reply:The license plate will still get smashed.... ...is the ball mounted on a bumper, or in a receiver hitch?Get good at hitching up. Never forget to lock your coupler, never. Chain up, light check on a regular basis, have a working break away system, check tire pressure and lug nuts. Brake and bearing inspection & service every one to two years under normal use. Use common sense, and safe loading practices.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny