Rear bumper swing out tire carrier build

[jentzschman]

I have been wanting to do this for some time now and finally decided to get around to it.

Earlier design:



Took off the lame u bolt design and pretty much ran it like that until a few months ago when I took the bumper off completely to begin the re-design.

I found a hinge that I like and quickly discovered I would not have enough clearance for the spindle hole with the bumper as is. So, come up with this idea at first:



Did not like that one, so on to the idea that made the cut:



I just cut the piece in half, more or less, and then tacked it in place to see if I liked it, which I did.

Started welding the gap and LOTS of grinding:



I also decided to add some reinforcements to the bracekts since they will be supporting more weight:



Got it all welded together and she looks like this as of now:



I have not decided if I should add some more gussets to help strengthen it all up....

So, stage one is done.
Stage two will be getting the hinge installed/and staring the frame for the carrier.
Stage three will be finishing up the fabbing and installing the locking latch.
Stage four will be primmer and paint and anything else I forgot to do.

 

[jentzschman]

Well, got a little more done today. Primed and painted the main section of the bumper. Left the ends bare so I could add the wrap around:



I then began prepping for the warp around section. This part was a little unnerving as there was no going back!



So here is how she its now. Just need to figure out how to blend the wrap with the actual bumper:

 

[jentzschman]

Ok, made a little progress today. I wanted to try and create a angled/rounded corner by the taillight for the wrap around. Alas, I just could not make it work like I wanted. Well, I could have, but I did not leave myself enought material to work with. So, I just bagged that idea and just squared it up:







I got it all tact in, took it off, and started welding it all up. I noticed while I was looking at it from a side view, that the passenger side wrap around seemed to have warped a little... I was afraid of that as I was having a tough time trying to keep it at the proper position.

So, the gap between the cut off fender and the wrap around might end up being larger then I would like. Guess I will see come Monday when I get it all finish up.

Got a little more done today, 10 Sep 2012:

I will admit, I rushed finishing it up a little. I wanted to get it done before heading back to work tomorrow. She may not be the prettiest at the ball, but she should get the job done.

Finished welding up a few areas I could not finish on Sat night. While the primmer was drying I bought some edge trimming from O'reillys and put it along the cut fender:



Now she sits drying with a coat of black. Will hit a few more coats and put her back on:

 

[jentzschman]

10 Sept 2012:

Got it all done and bolted up. Let me tell you, that was a b*&@# to get on by myself!





18 Sept 2010:

Got my license mounted. Bought the Low Range kit:



Mocked up the mounting and figure out where to drill holes, etc:



While the plate was being primed and painted, I went on to some electrical and misc stuff. I drilled a small hole to feed the wired through to the stock wire harness:



In the process I discovered one of the bolts holding the tailgate on has seized up. So, I broke it loose, drilled out the piece that was left in and simple used a bolt I had laying around:



Got everything bolted up and wired in. I opted to use some carriage bolts in place of the hex ones supplied. I like the look much better. However, getting the top two tight was a PITA!!! I made the holes on the mounting plate just a little to big for it to grab and I had to very slowly hold the head of the bolt while tightening the nut! Thank the Lord for ratcheting wrenches!!!

 

[jentzschman]

--reserved 2--

 

[Kevin B.]

Subscribed.

 

[TROKITA]

Wow man that's awesome. I can't wait until I get my own welder and tools to make my own stuff

 

[jentzschman]

I wish I had a better shop, but I just make due with what I have. Not always the prettiest, but it gets the job done. Don't get me wrong, I try to make it look as nice as I can, but without having the proper tools, I just do what I can. I have figured out I REALLY need a chop saw though!!!

 

[STAG]

Have you seen Cascadias Tacoma bumper I built that wrapped around like yours? Just curious.

 

[jentzschman]

Have you seen Cascadias Tacoma bumper I built that wrapped around like yours? Just curious.

Negative.... I will now search for it...

Better yet, why don't you link it for me...

 

[MikeGyver]

A good angle grinder and cutoff wheels would easily replace the need for a chopsaw for a project like this.

 

[jentzschman]

Ya, I have 2 angle grinders, but it would have been more of a convenience then anything else.

 

[jentzschman]

A small update to post 3

 

[sixstringsteve]

looking great trevor! I'm sure you could still incorporate the angled corners. Definitely check out the bumper chocflip made for cascadia, it's very similar and ultra beef.

 

[jentzschman]

Thanks steve. I have been looking for that build.

I know the angled corner would have looked better, but I started getting frustrated I think It will work out ok.

Not the best looking, but eh, it will due.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I guess I meant to say that it's not too late to go to a slanted corner later on down the road. keep it as is, and if you ever want to re-do it, you can add a corner piece really easily.


tyson's old truck:
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.ph...ma-Mild-Build/page7&highlight=cascadia+tacoma

 

[jentzschman]

I can already tell I want to change it!

But, it will stay as is for now.

Updated post 4

 

[sixstringsteve]

looks solid!

 

[zukijames]

looks good i like it !

 

[Kevin B.]

I dig it. When do you wanna do mine?