Rear Swing-Down on OEM Bumper (ladder & tire carrier)

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

romaniacruiser

romaniacruiser

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 18, 2008
Threads
15
Messages
139
Location
Charlotte NC
With the great expertise and help of a fellow mentor I was able to finally get what I have always wanted out of the rear bumper:

- incorporate the OEM bumper (to save money)
- have a ladder (for rooftop tent)
- have the tire outside (get it out of the trunk)

Materials/Supplies:
  • 30 feet of 1.5/0.12" DOM tubing
  • 12" X 18" 3/16" thick plate steel
  • 6" X 6" 1/4" thick plate steel
  • 2 x bushing and sleeve
  • 3 x wheel stud
  • 2 x pivot bolts/nuts/washers
  • 2 x draw latch (shipping pending)
tire swingout :: fj80 picture by mtbcoach - Photobucket

finished.jpg
 
That is sweet, very different. Do you have any more pics?

:cheers:
 
Very nice and original
 
Like the look. :clap::cheers:

My old man's back is asking, "Is there an assist?"

I'm guessing the pivot is at the bottom of the device, and the assembly hinges along the top of the center section of the bumper?

[STRIKE]What catches the top and latches it?[/STRIKE]
OK, now that I've looked at the picks, can see it latches somewhere at the bottom, but not quite sure how.

Inquiring minds want to know more...does kind of get in the way of the tailgate, but different strokes for different folks.
 
Last edited:
retrofive said:
LOL, the 38 pics in the first link, and the link I just reposted weren't enough :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

:doh: Dont know how I missed it..But Im wondering does the ladder connect at the top? What keeps ladder from hitting the truck when someone over 200lbs climbs up it?
 
slow91fj90 said:
:doh: Dont know how I missed it..But Im wondering does the ladder connect at the top? What keeps ladder from hitting the truck when someone over 200lbs climbs up it?
Click to expand...

Me too, does it hook into the rack, or just a bottom latch/hook jobby thing. TBH I didn't look at all the photos in detail.
 
greentruck said:
Like the look. :clap::cheers:

My old man's back is asking, "Is there an assist?"

I'm guessing the pivot is at the bottom of the device, and the assembly hinges along the top of the center section of the bumper?

[STRIKE]What catches the top and latches it?[/STRIKE]
OK, now that I've looked at the picks, can see it latches somewhere at the bottom, but not quite sure how.

"Inquiring minds want to know more...does kind of get in the way of the tailgate", but different strokes for different folks.
Click to expand...


To me the only drawback I see; It gets on the way of the tailgate...:hhmm:
 
I'm the knuckle-head who built this for him. I'm nothing more than a fellow club member that owns a tubing bender and welder, and I'm not afraid to use them. :hillbilly:

He had 2 simple goals, get the tire out and make access to the roof easier (he sleeps up there). He didn't want to add an aftermarket bumper (college student) and a swing out so we came up with this option. He doesn't access the rear as much as those of us with dogs/kids do.

I've still got to add the latches and try to find a way to add a couple gas struts.

It is very stout and I climbed my 200+ lb butt up the ladder and have no worries how stout it it. Its made from 1.5", 0.12 DOM tubing like many make sliders out of.

Once I get the latches installed this weekend, I'll add some more pics of that part of the contraption...:beer:
 
Mtbcoach said:
I'm the knuckle-head who built this for him. I'm nothing more than a fellow club member that owns a tubing bender and welder, and I'm not afraid to use them. :hillbilly:

He had 2 simple goals, get the tire out and make access to the roof easier (he sleeps up there). He didn't want to add an aftermarket bumper (college student) and a swing out so we came up with this option. He doesn't access the rear as much as those of us with dogs/kids do.

I've still got to add the latches and try to find a way to add a couple gas struts.

It is very stout and I climbed my 200+ lb butt up the ladder and have no worries how stout it it. Its made from 1.5", 0.12 DOM tubing like many make sliders out of.

Once I get the latches installed this weekend, I'll add some more pics of that part of the contraption...:beer:
Click to expand...

Might not be practical for some of us, however you did an awesome job! If it work for him great!! Can it be modified to swing to the side?:hhmm:
 
jvazquez53 said:
Might not be practical for some of us, however you did an awesome job! If it work for him great!! Can it be modified to swing to the side?:hhmm:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment.

Some sort of extension/bumper end would have to be added to the factory cross-member to get a pivot outside of the tailgate. At that point, it makes more sense to just go ahead and build/buy a complete bumper. Although, it does cross my mind to find a way to do it keeping the stock bumper in place...:idea:
 
Thank you all for the compliments.
greentruck said:
My old man's back is asking, "Is there an assist?"
Click to expand...
We are debating where to mount two gas struts (Ideas?)

slow91fj90 said:
What keeps ladder from hitting the truck when someone over 200lbs climbs up it?
Click to expand...
Mtbcoach tried it out :p

We welded two sets of "stops" on the top and bottom to establish the range of motion when it is open and when it is closed.
BumperTabs.jpg


jvazquez53 said:
only drawback I see ... gets on the way of the tailgate
Click to expand...
I have ample room in-between the ladder and tire to climb in through the center by stepping on the diagonal tubing connecting the carrier and ladder.
Also, remember the swing-down doesn't extend all the way to the side corner's of the truck, so there is also room from the side.




We are trying to figure out a way to connect it to the ARB rack, thereby reducing some tension from the latches. (Ideas?)
 
Look's good:cheers:
 
Taking another look:rolleyes: it seems like you can use it as a cooler/gear carrier when troaveling. Just some tie cords and it might serve dual purpose. Not bad, not bad at all:clap:
 
MARKTLC80 said:
seems like you can use it as a cooler/gear carrier when troaveling.
Click to expand...

Most definetly, a small cooler should fit.
The Hi-Lift is tied up like that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom