4xinnovations rear bumper vs. marlins

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

bryan89

bryan89

Joined
Jul 13, 2010
Threads
79
Messages
809
Location
Charleston, SC
I was thinking of getting the marlin rear bumper for my 88 4runner, but i have tried to order it twice now, both times out of stock.

so i looked for other options. Trail-crap is out for me.

Found 4xinnovations site and his rear bumper looks pretty legit. Actually, interested in his quick change door hinges too. sent him an email about them but havent heard anything back yet.

So, does anybody have this bumper on their truck? opinions? do they like it? pics?
the only pic he has is of it on a busted up pos. so it didnt make it look really appealing. but i think it would look good.
4x Innovations: 84-89 4 Runner Rear Class 2 Hitch Bumper
 
I would go with 4xInnovations over Marlin any day. I got my cage from Adam and it is top notch. He make a very well designed and built product. I have seem quite a few of the Marlin bumpers bend with not much effort, plus their shipping is outrageous.
 
that is what i was thinking.
Adams is only 50 bucks more.
its in stock.
it looks way beefier than marlins.
both made of 1.75" DOM tubing
I am not a huge fan of the "MC" stamped in the back
and shipping would be less as the marlin one is coming all the way to charleston sc from cali.
Adam is in Wisconsin or something like that.

tonyota, why the wait?
 
i have just never seen anyone with one on their rig and was trying to figure out why. is it a new product from him or something? I mean it seems solid.
 
Having had a Marlin on mine for a while I love it, it works for me. My issue was with my front tabs being too tight together and having to ream out the slots for the side bolts. Now, since I've also driven a rig with Adam's tube bumper, I've added one more thought to my "Wish they'd done this" on my Marlin rear bumper. Compared to Adam's, I can't easily fit our Thule T-2 system and when the bike rack's tilted down to get into the back with the tailgate opened and laying down the rack's side pivot/bracing plates hit the license plate frame, on Adam's, they don't.

Now, mind you the last things a daily driver complaint b/c Adam's would hang up before Marlin's would b/c of the 2" hitch height difference.


Now, add in this last bit, Adam's are cross reinforced with a deeper receiver point being a part of that assembly. However you also can then only fit up to a 33" underneath b/c of that. Of course, on the trail WTH leaves their spare underneath anyhow, especially since a 33's the minimum size these days.

If I had to do it over again and be asked would I buy this or that, I'd waffle b/c I support Marlin and Mike and their company and would have had them do the design change instead b/c they're out here close to me so s/h wasn't as big a hit as it is for you.

Hope that helps.
 
NorCal,
all solid points.
this is going to be on a daily driver rig, so the hitch height is something to consider. I plan on hanging racks and such off the back of this truck for coolers/grills/camping supplies etc...

About the only down side to adams bumper that I can see is his corner support. on marlins, the corner protection is tied into the frame all the way at the end of the bumper. on adams, the corner protection support is about half way down the side or so there. so if you took a nice hit to the side (probably from oncoming traffic in my case, not a tree) it would be more likely to crush into the vehicle than marlins. but that is about it.

i talked to him about the bumper design and availability the other day and he mentioned everything is jigged when he builds them, so i dont know how hard that would be to change or how much he would charge me. i guess i could always call back and ask.
 
i like that 4xinnovations actually gives a hitch rating with there bumper.

I thinks its absurd that allpro and others dont even offer a receiver on some of there bumpers.
 
well,
i ordered it. shipping still killed me!! 128 bucks!!:crybaby:
oh well. just paper i guess.
 
NorCalBorn said:
Having had a Marlin on mine for a while I love it, it works for me. My issue was with my front tabs being too tight together and having to ream out the slots for the side bolts. Now, since I've also driven a rig with Adam's tube bumper, I've added one more thought to my "Wish they'd done this" on my Marlin rear bumper. Compared to Adam's, I can't easily fit our Thule T-2 system and when the bike rack's tilted down to get into the back with the tailgate opened and laying down the rack's side pivot/bracing plates hit the license plate frame, on Adam's, they don't.

Now, mind you the last things a daily driver complaint b/c Adam's would hang up before Marlin's would b/c of the 2" hitch height difference.


Now, add in this last bit, Adam's are cross reinforced with a deeper receiver point being a part of that assembly. However you also can then only fit up to a 33" underneath b/c of that. Of course, on the trail WTH leaves their spare underneath anyhow, especially since a 33's the minimum size these days.

If I had to do it over again and be asked would I buy this or that, I'd waffle b/c I support Marlin and Mike and their company and would have had them do the design change instead b/c they're out here close to me so s/h wasn't as big a hit as it is for you.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

care to share some photo's of each.

thanks,
 
Bomar said:
care to share some photo's of each.

thanks,
Click to expand...

Sure, but the 4x's on a buddy's rig and he's deployed, I doubt the base will let me get in to shoot some pics of his. ;) Here's my Marlin with the rack installed so you can see the interference issue, that said here's also a shot of the pinstriping I did to it recently, you can tell it's at the exact angle as the breakover b/c at the same time I dragged the tubework I was also dragging the bottom edge of the receiver. Again, to be realistic here, in the end my spare wouldn't be underneath and the bike rack most likely would not be there, simply I have too much $$$$$ into them. :D

*Also, keep in mind that the clearance i do have is because I also have a 1.5" body lift, it would be worse if that wasn't there.
5810661838_f2acd3624f_z.jpg

T-2 Rack in working position the tilt release lever and/or side plates hit the upper tailgate edge and prevents it opening up fully.
5810659350_53dd3917e3_z.jpg

T-2 Rack in the access position, folded down towards the ground. You do get the gate 1" lower but it still hits.
5810658154_f6d5ee9b84_z.jpg

About 1-1/2" clearance between the receiver and my 33" spare.
5810660974_81491e1158_z.jpg

Sierra Rash. :D
5810091885_5c1bb69e08_z.jpg
 
Last edited:
Bomar said:
What about Davez rear bumper? I like the bracing on his and it seems to be built nice but I don't know. This is all new to me since on my 62 I built my rear bumper.
Click to expand...

*I edited in the pics just now, let me know if there is something more specific you want to see.

I almost bought one of Dave's but by the time I factored in some minor changes Marlin's was just a better price for me. I need the rear kicked out step to have access to the roof rack and basket. Dave's is literally an inch off the entire rear, in the case of the Sierra Rash above, to me that would've meant likely a dented rear and broken taillight, the extra room for error Marlin's gave made it a good investment. :hhmm:

I'll still likely break down and cut off the receiver and redo it along with a set of tie-ins when and if I do an engine swap and want to tow heavier loads. :clap:
 
Bomar said:
which one?
Click to expand...

oh yeah, sorry. I went with adam's from 4xinnovations. a little more than i wanted to pay, but nothing i can do about it I suppose.
 
definitely will post some up. but its two to three weeks out. even though i was told it was in stock over the phone. so....:o

looked into powder coating it. can get it done lcoally for 150 in semi-gloss black. should match my future arb bull bar nicely i think.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom