4x4 Labs Owners Chime In...Single Vs. Dual Swingout?

[lumbee1]

I installed my 4x4Labs bumper 6 years ago. I tightened the nut on the spindle but didn't really torque it down. There was some movement on the tire side swing arm but not a ton, maybe 1/2" of up/down travel. Over time, I noticed a soft knock from the arm stop hitting the bumper shell. I opened up the spindle and added some grease and torqued the big nut to 35ft/lbs. The arm is stiffer and doesn't bounce like before.

BTW, water intrusion into the 4x4Labs spindle bearings is a big issue. It rots the bearings out causing more play in the swingarms. I added a bit of RTV to the top cap after installation to seal it up.

 

[thecapedcapper]

I guess i'm missing something, but why isn't it possible to do a single swingout and have it not go across the entire bumper? Like one swingout for a tire the length of the tire holder on a double?

 

[PeterTheBeater]

4G for a spected out bumper, worth more than some FJ80's

 

[Corbet]

I guess i'm missing something, but why isn't it possible to do a single swingout and have it not go across the entire bumper? Like one swingout for a tire the length of the tire holder on a double?

You could but it's easier to make a solid connection point at the end of the bumper rather than the middle with a single swingarm.

 

[thecapedcapper]

You could but it's easier to make a solid connection point at the end of the bumper rather than the middle with a single swingarm.

That definitely makes sense, but I think the benefit of having a much shorter swingout would be worth the effort.

 

[Corbet]

That definitely makes sense, but I think the benefit of having a much shorter swingout would be worth the effort.

Beauty of the kit. Build it to your own personal liking.

 

[bhsdriller]

I installed my 4x4Labs bumper 6 years ago. I tightened the nut on the spindle but didn't really torque it down. There was some movement on the tire side swing arm but not a ton, maybe 1/2" of up/down travel. Over time, I noticed a soft knock from the arm stop hitting the bumper shell. I opened up the spindle and added some grease and torqued the big nut to 35ft/lbs. The arm is stiffer and doesn't bounce like before.

BTW, water intrusion into the 4x4Labs spindle bearings is a big issue. It rots the bearings out causing more play in the swingarms. I added a bit of RTV to the top cap after installation to seal it up.

Dumb question but how do you get the top cap off of the spindle I haven't really looked/tried. Does it just pry off?

 

[b16]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess my bearings could be worn out? only assembled 2 years ago. I'll pop off the cap and see if I can tighten more. The latch is so tight I have to lean into it really hard to get it to close; I'm 200lbs. lol.

The issue is more of a "back and forth" movement I can see in my rear view. Sometimes it gets bad enough to where the handle on the hi lift bangs my tailgate.

I recently (4 months ago) disassembled and repainted everything. this included regreasing the bearings and replacing the seal. bearings looked fine, there was zero water intrusion. when I reassembled I used some RTV.

 

[b16]

Dumb question but how do you get the top cap off of the spindle I haven't really looked/tried. Does it just pry off?

pry it off with a large flathead. need to work around as it is usually a tight fit.

 

[lumbee1]

Dumb question but how do you get the top cap off of the spindle I haven't really looked/tried. Does it just pry off?

Yeap. It's a tight fit for sure but water can still creep in through the edges.

Not my Cruiser.

 

[Tonkaboy]

Dual swing just clears my tow setup, allowing me to drop the gate