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Need to drill 4" holes in stock bumper - how?

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Old 02-19-2008, 08:02 AM
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Wallyworld has some 2" fogtype lights for $15 you could mount under the bumper. I did this and it throws 55watts of light back there when in rev. Of course my bumper is 2.5ft off the ground so if they get crushed I'll probably have more to worry about than those lights.
Old 02-19-2008, 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by high bid
Wallyworld has some 2" fogtype lights for $15 you could mount under the bumper. I did this and it throws 55watts of light back there when in rev. Of course my bumper is 2.5ft off the ground so if they get crushed I'll probably have more to worry about than those lights.
Yeah, I just threw some rubber tractor lights up under my bumper. Plenty of light, and they're about 10 bucks each at Tractor Supply.
Old 02-19-2008, 08:39 AM
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I would use a Bi-Metal holesaw bit and use a punch to mark your hole then drill a pilot hole. You shouldn't have a problem just make sure you take your time.
Old 02-19-2008, 03:19 PM
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I think that picture is lacking a third ATV forklifted across the first two.
Old 02-19-2008, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by PaulDaisy
I think that picture is lacking a third ATV forklifted across the first two.
Like "cribbing"




I have a feeling that chrome plating will flake and peel at the edge where it's been drilled.
Old 02-19-2008, 05:54 PM
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I think that you would have to use a 3 3/4" instead of the 4" the teeth make it a little larger than 4. Atleast the ones that I have used before.
Later,
AC
Old 02-20-2008, 06:24 AM
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I have mounted the oval STT with the rubber boots in 4 chrome bumpers. Due to the shape & style of the Dodge bumper I feel that the oval lights look better. For those, I use an open mounting bracket for the light as the template. After taping off the bumper, I measure, measure, and measure again. Using the template, I now make my outline on the taped bumper. Using a 2" hole saw, I cut the outer ends, then use a sawzall for the straight cuts between the circles.
For clean up, use a grinding tool, or hand file. When finished, I use some touch up primer on the cut out just to prevent any rust. I have never had any chrome chip or flake. I find the best trick is to have a helper who can keep oil on the surface while using the hole saw. The straight cuts go very easy. The rubber boots fit flush, push in the lights, and wire them up. I don't have a digital camera, so I can't supply photo's. I know it was off the subject of the 4" round hole, but if you steady with a sawzall, you can do a "rough" circle with it since the rubber boot will cover the outer part of the opening.

Good luck.

Jim
Old 02-20-2008, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by high bid
HOly s%$#@....I think you need to change your user name to "top heavy." No high speed turns for you.

whats the rating on that alum bed mount?.....pretty cool!
Its good for 1500 lbs , turns are not too bad , its just tuching the overloads that helps a little I think. To answer one of the questions ,I have no flaking of the chrome around the holes yet and I,m in the major salt belt.
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Old 02-20-2008, 09:45 AM
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Originally Posted by AWCampbelll
I think that you would have to use a 3 3/4" instead of the 4" the teeth make it a little larger than 4. Atleast the ones that I have used before.
Later,
AC
OK... can someone please confirm this before I buy any hole saw. What size is the hole itself suppose to be and what size hole saw makes the correct size?

As far as the oval lights, I like that idea and can visualize what you did based on your description. I'll consider that.

I also have previously had small, cheap fog lights mounted under the bumper, but broke them one at a time over a couple years. Mainly caused by snow.

BTW, how many holes should a Lenox bi-metal hole saw make in a bumper before it's worn out? Just curious.
Old 02-20-2008, 10:14 AM
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Your best bet is take your grommet to the store and hold up the hole saw to it , there is a lip on the grommet that holds it in the bumper and the hole should be a little smaller than that. This way ya can't go wrong if your going the hole saw method. Being a electrician I have every size hole saw known to man but none were the exact size I needed thus me useing the jig saw.
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