4x4Labs rear bumper installation

[jgray]

Originally Posted by Trunk Monkey

Kit is a lot less than $2k. Base bumper as a kit is only $495.

What comes in the kit or what do you get with it? 4x4labs web site still doesn't have any info listed for the 100's....

Very sweet rear bumper!!!! I want one!!!

[Trunk Monkey]

Originally Posted by jgray

What comes in the kit or what do you get with it?

Everything but the swing outs, so main bumper, replacement crossmember, receiver tube, side wings and bars. I've been busting a friend's chops who built one for his 80. I keep telling him the mud splatter drain holes are really flowers.

[davegonz]

Thats a sweet price for that kit. I wonder how much more for the swingout spindles? That way you can add the swing arms if you want later on.

[Abe Nitro]

That is a nice bumper. It looks like it is built for function more than asthetics.

[Elijah]

I talked with 4x4 Labs yesterday and they do have all the components to build these bumpers in stock. The problem with the bumper rubbing on the trim was cleared up a while back and the bumpers are built as they are ordered. I ordered one for the hundy with dual swingouts, tire carrier on driver side and ladder/three can carrier on passenger side. To build and powder coat you're looking at about 3 weeks. Love the bumper on the 80 series I have.

[Tools R Us]

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

...
Right, anything can bend. However this bumper looks pretty weak compared to the ARB or Slee for instance.

Your kidding right?

Originally Posted by Snook

The 4x4Labs and Slee bumpers is designed in mind for protection from the rocks. My 4x4lLabs rear bumper's sheet is 3/16" thick and bended plus 2"x 2" square tube inside for trailer support, very stout, same goes for Slee's.

Most of the after market bumpers are C channel shaped shells that go over the stock cross member. The 4x4Labs bumpers replace the cross member, with two 1/4" wings that wrap from inside the frame to the quarter panels, then a 3/16" cross member shell that welds on. The welds start at the top quarter area go across the top, under and inside to the top of the rear shell at the inside of the frame, for about 30" of weld on each side! Then the rear shell is additionally supported by the receiver cross member, making for a very well supported boxed section.

I wheeled mine (80 type) unpainted for over a year. Without the pretty powder coat to worry about, I had no problem with banging it on rock, early, often and sometimes very hard. The angles are perfect for sliding onto and off of rock, obstacles without hanging up or road grading. My guess is that the 1/8" thick frame rails would be bent before any significant damage was done to the bumper.

[ShottsUZJ100]

I like the 4x4 Labs design. I think it's plenty strong. I just have two big negatives considering the departure angle increase vs a Slee-brand is minimal.

1. You have to build it on the truck
2. The tire carrier is not near as stout. I was rear ended in my Slee and the damage was zero. I would bet that 4x4LABS carrier would have been into my hatch. Speculation I know....just going by looks and design.

With every extra half-inch clearance making a difference on the trail, this is a good choice for the aggressive wheeler. Wish they could make a "cut your old crossmember off and bolt-on a assembed version bumper".

[Trunk Monkey]

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

1. You have to build it on the truck
2. The tire carrier is not near as stout. I was rear ended in my Slee and the damage was zero. I would bet that 4x4LABS carrier would have been into my hatch. Speculation I know....just going by looks and design.

I've seen both in person, so I don't have to speculate.

1. 4x4Labs sells a fully welded up and PC'd version.
2. The spindle is larger than the Slee spindle and the swing arm is plenty stout. If something were to hit the tire with enough force on either bumper it would deflect into the hatch. There is no support in that axis on either bumper.

[Elijah]

Originally Posted by Trunk Monkey

I've seen both in person, so I don't have to speculate.

1. 4x4Labs sells a fully welded up and PC'd version.
2. The spindle is larger than the Slee spindle and the swing arm is plenty stout. If something were to hit the tire with enough force on either bumper it would deflect into the hatch. There is no support in that axis on either bumper.

So better departure angle plus as stout as the others plus you get a triple jerry can carrier with a ladder. I have ordered both of mine fully built and coated. They are an incredible bumper. Plus the attachments between the 80 and 100 are interchangeable!

[Snook]

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

Wish they could make a "cut your old crossmember off and bolt-on a assembed version bumper".

Yes, that's what I did, I ordered a 100% welded rear bumper minus the powdercoating so I can make some minor adjustment to my offroad specification.

The major reason why I ended up with 4x4labs version is that the trailer hitch is as closest and highest as possible to the rear axle so the trailer connections have the max clearance during a moderate offroading.

Here is a perfect sample that Brett faced at a moderated rated trail.

Cheers,

[ShottsUZJ100]

Originally Posted by Snook

I ordered a 100% welded rear bumper minus the powdercoating

Cheers,

That's great then. I haven't seen folks buying them this way. I can't imagine welding one together piece by piece. EEK!

[Trunk Monkey]

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

I can't imagine welding one together piece by piece. EEK!

It's about 6 pieces and it's easy if you can weld.

[ShottsUZJ100]

Originally Posted by Trunk Monkey

It's about 6 pieces and it's easy if you can weld.

I want the liability on the MAKER....not on me or my mechanic. He said vs she said. No thanks.

[FJBen]

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

I want the liability on the MAKER....not on me or my mechanic. He said vs she said. No thanks.

I'm not sure what you mean by "liability"

Just to clarify for others that might be buying.

If you buy the bumper completed and something fails from a faulty weld or something, you can probably talk to Luke and get that straightened out.

If you are talking about welding your own kit from them, I wouldn't expect them to be liable for anything other than missing pieces or pieces that are just not right.

So I"m guessing by liability you are meaning you don't trust you or your mechanics welding ability?

[ShottsUZJ100]

Originally Posted by FJBen

I'm not sure what you mean by "liability"

Just to clarify for others that might be buying.

If you buy the bumper completed and something fails from a faulty weld or something, you can probably talk to Luke and get that straightened out.

If you are talking about welding your own kit from them, I wouldn't expect them to be liable for anything other than missing pieces or pieces that are just not right.

So I"m guessing by liability you are meaning you don't trust you or your mechanics welding ability?

Enjoy your day Ben.

[FJBen]

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

Enjoy your day Ben.

I'm not trying to start any crap, I'm just honestly wondering what you mean by liability in a kit form?

[ShottsUZJ100]

Originally Posted by FJBen

I'm not trying to start any crap, I'm just honestly wondering what you mean by liability in a kit form?

Something going wrong dow the road......

Ah, your welder caused it.

No, the piece didn't fit properly.

No, you've got the only one that there's been a problem with.

No, it's assembled properly though when I barely hit a rock the side piece pushing into my XYZ and if designed right it shouldn't have.

This scenario may never happen with this bumper. I just want a pre-made device to reduce the risk of confrontations. That's me........

[FJBen]

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

Something going wrong dow the road......

Ah, your welder caused it.

No, the piece didn't fit properly.

No, you've got the only one that there's been a problem with.

No, it's assembled properly though when I barely hit a rock the side piece pushing into my XYZ and if designed right it shouldn't have.

This scenario may never happen with this bumper. I just want a pre-made device to reduce the risk of confrontations. That's me........

I understand your want to eliminate ANY possible issues. Thats what I was just wanting clarification.

I guess if you are going to by the kit and do the welding, you understand that unless something doesn't fit by a LONG shot or it's missing, welds and everything is on you. I wouldn't expect any vendor to back the product beyond that, and thats probably how most people feel when they buy the "kit". It's up to "you" to make sure it's solid and the pieces fit.

[Campfire]

Originally Posted by FJBen

I understand your want to eliminate ANY possible issues. Thats what I was just wanting clarification.

I guess if you are going to by the kit and do the welding, you understand that unless something doesn't fit by a LONG shot or it's missing, welds and everything is on you. I wouldn't expect any vendor to back the product beyond that, and thats probably how most people feel when they buy the "kit". It's up to "you" to make sure it's solid and the pieces fit.

X'2 !!
When you buy a kit, it gives you the freedom to change little things that you would like done to your own project. Kits keep the cost down for the do it yourselfer and offer alternate options for those that don't have metal shears, brakes, or heavy duty equipment. I've seen plenty of crappy welds hold together rigs for years, but those people trusted themselves.

[Tools R Us]

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

I want the liability on the MAKER....not on me or my mechanic. He said vs she said. No thanks.

Thats pretty rich! Who carries the "liability" on these? The front is only held on by those wimpy stock brackets and two bolts?