So this bumper looks awesome but I haven't been able to find out any information on it? Anyone have any experience with the 4x4 labs fj40 rear bumper?
4x4 labs rear bumper (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter kanudude
- Start date
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Looks like it attached to the rear frame member with longer bolts like I did here.
brian
SILVER Star
i love the 4x4 80 series rear bumper, but i'm not feeling his 40 design at all.
Luke always comes up with original ideas. I've used his Frombe . Amazing . That California water must have curious ingredients. I'd say he "thinks outside the box" but that would suggest at one time he was with us in the box. I am very curious on his solution to tail lights. The ass end of the 40 is so limited with space. The balance between stock , utility and looks is a huge challenge. Too big , it drags on the trail. Too minimal and it has no utility or sacrifices durability
reddingcruiser
Practicing for retirement
Luke does nice work. For folks that can't do their own fab it's comes down to budget, quality and style. Calling it a "kit" is bit misleading. Making portions bolt together saves shipping costs. It's like calling a winch and bumper a kit.
reddingcruiser
Practicing for retirement
Well, shame on him.
I've always liked the dual swing out style, but with this design the bends in the tire carrier tube gives the impression that the tire caused it (even though it obviously didn't). IMO seen better designs ALOT cheaper.
- Thread starter
- #10
This is what 4x4 labs says about a completed powder coated bumper.
typical double swing out system with two attachments of your choice is $2100. Prices vary depending on options.
typical double swing out system with two attachments of your choice is $2100. Prices vary depending on options.
- Thread starter
- #11
- Thread starter
- #12
Found some more pictures, but the owner stated that he wasn't really excited about the build quality? That was the first time I've ever heard a bad thing about 4x4labs. I plan on getting it as a kit and having it made to my vehicle. Plus this one has a hitch mount, but I don’t care for the large basket. I think two gas cans would look better. Thoughts?
Yea, but it's not a kit...Lol.
Have not owned a 40 since the 1980s, so I cannot comment on the 4x4 Labs kit for 40 Series.
I can, however address Luke Porter’s customer service, communications and business ethics - along with the quality and design of 4x4 Labs completed bumpers for 60s, 70s, 80s and 100s,
Have done a bunch of business with them and have no gripes, only grins.
Hard to get ahold of? – Yeah, sometimes calls do not get returned in a timely manner, but it gets done. Like a good suit from an old school tailor, it can take some time.
Imperfect directions/instructions? – No doubt room for improvement, but as a small business vendor, I carry the same challenge.
Too expensive? – Certainly for some folks. Value is a function of design, as well as execution and price. The 4x4 Labs products I have owned were worth the price for me and represented good value.
Lots of good options here in the Mud community – 4 Plus, Trail Tailor, Cruisin Offroad AND 4x4 Labs – all good guys with good products and I have or would have done business with all of them.
I can, however address Luke Porter’s customer service, communications and business ethics - along with the quality and design of 4x4 Labs completed bumpers for 60s, 70s, 80s and 100s,
Have done a bunch of business with them and have no gripes, only grins.
Hard to get ahold of? – Yeah, sometimes calls do not get returned in a timely manner, but it gets done. Like a good suit from an old school tailor, it can take some time.
Imperfect directions/instructions? – No doubt room for improvement, but as a small business vendor, I carry the same challenge.
Too expensive? – Certainly for some folks. Value is a function of design, as well as execution and price. The 4x4 Labs products I have owned were worth the price for me and represented good value.
Lots of good options here in the Mud community – 4 Plus, Trail Tailor, Cruisin Offroad AND 4x4 Labs – all good guys with good products and I have or would have done business with all of them.
cruiserkreutz
SILVER Star
I will chime in here.
A customer bought this dual swing out bumper "kit" in the photos below and had Luke ship it to me as I am working on his 40 while he is abroad. What I got is shown in the photos below. Pushing $1500.00
NO PACKING LIST, NO INSTRUCTIONS
I'm not even sure if it is all there or not.
I send Luke an E-mail for instructions, I get one poor CAD drawing with less than half the parts shown and one photo of one end of the bumper AFTER A WEEK. I stress to him that this is not enough and he sends me a few more photos and tells me that the accessories are just like an 80 only on a 40. So I am told to search the internet for the information I need .
This is 58 separate pieces not including the bolts or bearings/races/seals in the bag.
I respond that this is BS this kind of product requires instructions. I get the basics, sure, I have no idea about all the small parts. point is I should not have to figure it out.
His response "Whoa, maybe you aren't the guy for the job"
My question is this, who should pay for my time figuring all this out and searching for photos on the internet so that I can properly build this bumper for my customer?
I find this to be complete BULL s*** ! I will end up not charging my customer for my time figuring it out because he has already been ripped off by Luke.
Luke will never get a dime of my money again. Funny part is I was sold on his bumper for the 80, mine and my wife's. I wont install one for a customer either.
Yikes! Glad I just ordered a 4+ for about the same price assembled and powder coated.
4x4labs or
4plus
are you kidding, 4x4labs all day long.
are you kidding, 4x4labs all day long.
I know Luke, he is a designer. He doesn't build landscape trailers 
Maybe this is why your customer ordered his bumper and not yours.
Maybe this is why your customer ordered his bumper and not yours.
woooody
el Jefe
Full Disclosure - I am a customer of Luke's, have known him for years, he built a custom bumper for my FJCruiser, and he has worked on my 40.
I don't think "ripped off by Luke" is the way to get anything resolved. Your customer got exactly what was ordered, and you accepted the work.
Why was the kit ordered, and not the finish welded product? Did the customer order it without your input? Did you review the web page that lists the kit, and provides a direct link to a build thread on ih8mud?
Per his bumper page:
Double swing out bumper- kit $995 Welded and finished $1495
So, $500 to have a complete bumper, no worries.
He sells the "kit" because some people prefer to modify the design to their own liking. Leave something out, add something in, etc. It's clear from his page that you are going to get a box of individual pieces:
Rear Bumper kits | 4×4 Labs
Same with the attachments - why order it in a kit if there is no desire to customize it?
So, another $300 and those two items are finish welded and done.
Clearly, detailed instructions to weld all of the pieces together should be included, especially since the build thread is for an 80 and not a 40. But why order bits and pieces rather than a completely built product? Are you going to be able to put it all together and powder coat it for $800?
From the build thread:
I don't think "ripped off by Luke" is the way to get anything resolved. Your customer got exactly what was ordered, and you accepted the work.
Why was the kit ordered, and not the finish welded product? Did the customer order it without your input? Did you review the web page that lists the kit, and provides a direct link to a build thread on ih8mud?
Per his bumper page:
Double swing out bumper- kit $995 Welded and finished $1495
So, $500 to have a complete bumper, no worries.
He sells the "kit" because some people prefer to modify the design to their own liking. Leave something out, add something in, etc. It's clear from his page that you are going to get a box of individual pieces:
Rear Bumper kits | 4×4 Labs
Same with the attachments - why order it in a kit if there is no desire to customize it?
Tire holder- kit $125 Welded and finished $225
One, two or three gas can- kit $195 Welded and finished $395So, another $300 and those two items are finish welded and done.
Clearly, detailed instructions to weld all of the pieces together should be included, especially since the build thread is for an 80 and not a 40. But why order bits and pieces rather than a completely built product? Are you going to be able to put it all together and powder coat it for $800?
From the build thread:
Another satisfied 4x4Labs DIY bumper owner here. I've welded up two of Luke's kits (80 and 100). It's not rocket science.
It looks like the parts are all there. Look at the tire kit parts and separate them, do the same for the can kit. What's left? The main bumper which looks pretty basic. Might just be a case of poopy pants.
