Rear bumper/tire carrier/Rubicon rack ideas

[mbryson]

I'm wanting to make a rear bumper that can be kinda modular. I don't like to carry a spare on most trails, but some trails it could be kinda handy (Hole in the Rock, Rubicon, etc.). Those same trails, my Jeep gets pretty full of gear and a place to mount a cooler or some sleeping bags or tent or fuel can or something could be quite handy as well.

The bumper is the easy part.

Questions:

1)What are you using for a hinge? I've heard good/bad about trailer spindles, grade 8 bolts for hinges (biggish, like 1.5") or ???

2)Who's got a 'modular' system.

3) how do you make your unit not rattle and drive you crazy?

Just looking for ideas. I think I know what I want to do, but something someone might post up could change my thinking and save me from reworking things.

 

[Tacoma]

for big tires, I'm planning on using a Dana 44 spindle with the hub cut down. But that's down the line a bit. I just haven't been impressed w/longevity on much else, looking through Pirate posts for the last few years.

 

[spaggyroe]

I didn't like any of the current "trailer spindles", so I designed my own.

I had some extras made, so if you're interested PM me. I'm inbetween houses right now so it may take me a while to dig it out of storage. :-\

Here's a post showing pics and specs. I sold one via RME's classifieds a while back.
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=46298

 

[Tacoma]

Those are pretty slick, chief. I dig 'em.

 

[BCGPER]

Marc, you're welcome to look at mine for ideas. I used 2" X 1/4" sguare tube, 1" trailer spindle, 1/2" bolt through the bumper to hold it closed, and some rubber bumpers placed to eliminate vibes. Works great, if I do say so myself.

 

[mbryson]

Marc, you're welcome to look at mine for ideas. I used 2" X 1/4" sguare tube, 1" trailer spindle, 1/2" bolt through the bumper to hold it closed, and some rubber bumpers placed to eliminate vibes. Works great, if I do say so myself.

I'd like to take a look at it. I just weighed that H2 wheel/Toyo tire combo. 131 lbs. I wonder what my H1's and SX tires weighed? Maybe I can figure out a lever system to take the tire-wheel on/off?

 

[spaggyroe]

Those are pretty slick, chief. I dig 'em.

Thanks Tacoma.
Been meaning to call you, haven't heard from you in a while. If you need one of these for your rig(s) let me know.

 

[Tacoma]

Yeah, I've been up in the oil patch hahah

at present my cell is off, home phone is 801. 4...53.5270.

 

[krawlereng]

i have one of spaggyroes and it works great! as far as rattle goes with a good latching system it's not a problem.

 

[spaggyroe]

also...
de-sta-co clamps are awesome for keeping swing-away tire racks closed and tight.

 

[Meat_]

...Maybe I can figure out a lever system to take the tire-wheel on/off?

Nah, you just need to man up.

 

[Tacoma]

Clean and jerk! You can do eeeeeet!!!

 

[mbryson]

Nah, you just need to man up.

Maybe one day when I grow up

 

[Meat_]

Maybe one day when I grow up

 

[mbryson]

Wow, this is five years ago. I don't procrastinate or anything (I think I've repaired my D300 three-four times since this writing?)

Anyway, who's got some pics of their Jeep setups?

Taillights and rear shackles are not my friend at the moment. Current plan is to cut the bumper into the third of the frame above the shackle. Solve my problem for me Only rectangle tube I have is THICK WALL 2x4---heavy SHCHTUFF

 

[RockChucker]

I'm in process of building/designing my new rear bumper now. for my hinge pin I am using a 32 spline d60u axle shaft machined down to 1.25 that will accept outer d60 pinion bearings. One on the top, and one on the bottom. Should be pretty slick and smooth as butta. it will be all sealed up from the elements too. and i'll use a destaco clamp to hold it shut. should be overkill i hope since most i have seen are usually in the neighbor hood of a 1 inch pin and use a poly bushing of some type.

 

[Box Rocket]

It's not on a jeep but might give you a few ideas. I consider mine to be a modular setup on my Tacoma. I am using two daul shear hinges from Comp4x4. These are the simple face mount hinges they sell that use brass bushings and a 1" bolt. They are stupid simple but I wanted the dual shear design since I've seen too many spindles break. Also no hassle with tapered bearings etc. Suprisingly the bolt/brass bushings are very smooth when you open the swing out.

As for modular, I pulled both swing outs off just the other day. It was a matter of moving my license plate and undoing the two big bolts, then just pulling off both swing arms.

I use a Destaco latch with a locking clip. It's super solid and I don't have any rattles. I orignally just had the single swingout for the tire but added the second swingout for fuel/water later. it was a little tight to add a second latch to I just added a plate to the second swing out that goes behind the tire swing arm to hold them both closed with the one Destaco latch. Works pretty well for longer trips where I need the spare and fuel/water, but can pull them off for the rocks and have better departure angles.

here's a few after I added the second swing out.

 

[STAG]

Love that

 

[ID Bronco]

That is an awesome design. That makes me want a Tacoma pretty bad.

 

[Paudrhound]

Nice set up!