1st Gen 4runner bumper/tire carrier
08-07-2007, 07:24 PM
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1st Gen 4runner bumper/tire carrier
I started building a rear bumper/tire carrier today for the 4runner. The main base is 2x5" .180 wall square tubing. All the legs are .250 wall. I still plan on doing the wrap around ends and stuff too.
I went with the Rockstomper tire carrier hinge, but decided to try something different with it. I sleeved the bumper with 1.5" .120 wall tubing, welded top, bottom and inside, then slid the lower pin into it and welded it from the bottom only. I have three friends that have broken the hinge section from the vibration that these go through on a normal basis. I don't think its anything wrong with the Rockstomper hinge itself, but the fatigue the upper welded portion goes through when it gets welded to the bumper, so I figured a sleeve would allow it to disperse the load better. Time will tell.
It was getting dark, so I will get better pics of it as I move through for a good write-up.
Big John came over today and we knocked out almost the whole damn thing. But, we ran out of MIG wire right near the end. This bumper is sick IMO
My bitchin BTF clamp.........[
][][][]
I went with the Rockstomper tire carrier hinge, but decided to try something different with it. I sleeved the bumper with 1.5" .120 wall tubing, welded top, bottom and inside, then slid the lower pin into it and welded it from the bottom only. I have three friends that have broken the hinge section from the vibration that these go through on a normal basis. I don't think its anything wrong with the Rockstomper hinge itself, but the fatigue the upper welded portion goes through when it gets welded to the bumper, so I figured a sleeve would allow it to disperse the load better. Time will tell.
It was getting dark, so I will get better pics of it as I move through for a good write-up.
Big John came over today and we knocked out almost the whole damn thing. But, we ran out of MIG wire right near the end. This bumper is sick IMO
My bitchin BTF clamp.........[
][][][]
08-07-2007, 07:33 PM
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08-07-2007, 07:37 PM
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08-07-2007, 08:05 PM
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I wish I would have just brought that stock 85' I had instead of selling it the week before we moved. But, oh well.
My 88' financed the move out here, but I will eventually build a crawler out of the one above. I already started gather parts for it.
08-07-2007, 08:21 PM
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Nice design and fab. 
When I did mine, which pails in comparison, I was surprised how much the body moves on the rubber bushings at the body mounts. I can get a good 3/4" of shift on harder rock bumps. Something I didn't realize until I was all done.
Just wondering if you are going to have an issue with the carrier so close? Probably just rub a little on occasion if anything. Looks like you are pretty much done, so I am not sure why I am throwing this out there.
Guess maybe something to consider and if possible increase your riggle room slightly to allow for that body to move a round a bit without hitting anything it shouldn't.
When I did mine, which pails in comparison, I was surprised how much the body moves on the rubber bushings at the body mounts. I can get a good 3/4" of shift on harder rock bumps. Something I didn't realize until I was all done.
Just wondering if you are going to have an issue with the carrier so close? Probably just rub a little on occasion if anything. Looks like you are pretty much done, so I am not sure why I am throwing this out there.
Guess maybe something to consider and if possible increase your riggle room slightly to allow for that body to move a round a bit without hitting anything it shouldn't.
08-07-2007, 08:33 PM
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Nice design and fab.
When I did mine, which pails in comparison, I was surprised how much the body moves on the rubber bushings at the body mounts. I can get a good 3/4" of shift on harder rock bumps. Something I didn't realize until I was all done.
Just wondering if you are going to have an issue with the carrier so close? Probably just rub a little on occasion if anything. Looks like you are pretty much done, so I am not sure why I am throwing this out there.
Guess maybe something to consider and if possible increase your riggle room slightly to allow for that body to move a round a bit without hitting anything it shouldn't.
When I did mine, which pails in comparison, I was surprised how much the body moves on the rubber bushings at the body mounts. I can get a good 3/4" of shift on harder rock bumps. Something I didn't realize until I was all done.
Just wondering if you are going to have an issue with the carrier so close? Probably just rub a little on occasion if anything. Looks like you are pretty much done, so I am not sure why I am throwing this out there.
Guess maybe something to consider and if possible increase your riggle room slightly to allow for that body to move a round a bit without hitting anything it shouldn't.
08-07-2007, 08:40 PM
#13
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Well, I guess you can always adjust it later if a clearance issue develops.
Really like how your wings turned out. Simple but effective.
Is that a tab at the top of the tire carrier? If so, what's it going to be for?
Really like how your wings turned out. Simple but effective.
Is that a tab at the top of the tire carrier? If so, what's it going to be for?
08-07-2007, 09:07 PM
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I have no latch at this point. Its just a clamp I use for welding for now. I am still waiting on the Destaco setup I ordered which should be here in a few days.
The clamp will work fine for now without anymore weight on the carrier.
08-07-2007, 09:20 PM
#17
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Hinge s from Rockstomper.com. Buts its just your typical trailer axle spindle setup. Runs around $45.
I have no latch at this point. Its just a clamp I use for welding for now. I am still waiting on the Destaco setup I ordered which should be here in a few days.
The clamp will work fine for now without anymore weight on the carrier.
I have no latch at this point. Its just a clamp I use for welding for now. I am still waiting on the Destaco setup I ordered which should be here in a few days.
The clamp will work fine for now without anymore weight on the carrier.
08-08-2007, 05:03 AM
#18
Looks like this is TOO tight as once you get a vibrating tire on there it is going to break/crack the black plastic on the tail gate that has the key hole for the rear window.
Looks good.
Looks good.
08-08-2007, 06:08 AM
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I have pushed very hard against it already and it barely moves at all. I'm 240lbs, so its not like a tire is going to put more pressure on it either.
Last edited by ScottyC; 08-08-2007 at 06:09 AM.
08-09-2007, 12:53 PM
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Still waiting on the latch, but I went ahead and mounted everything up and used a ball pin shaft in the meantime to hold it in place. I get ZERO vibes out of it at this point too.
