80 Series Bumper design

[Lpmk6]

I would like to draw on ‘mud members’ experiences and ideas for rear overland/expedition style bumpers.

Aside from the normal tire, Jerry can, rotopax and ladder swing outs, what other criteria would you look for/ prefer?

ARB, Slee style where it bolts up no cutting?

4x4 Labs, Hanna, Avid style where cutting of the rear crossmember is required?

My criteria are: bolt directly to the 6 tow hitch captive nuts, weight, value (rear bumper prices are more than I’m willing to spend on).

Strength and protection are important however, since this would be purpose built for overlanding, weight is equally important.

My favorite from an aesthetic standpoint is the discontinued TJM bumper.

From those who own a bumper: how would you redesign what you have?

From those who want a rear bumper, what are your criteria and why haven’t you purchased one yet?

Please remember, this is for an overland bumper not rockcrawling.

 

[retrofive]

I still think the Labs is one of the cleanest out there and very modular. Strong, good tow hitch point, great clearance. The cross member is beefier than what you cut out. Just my 2cents.

 

[Heckraiser]

I think 4x4 labs is the best design that can be bought. Everybody and their cousin has one, which is not so attractive.

Biggest factor I can think of is quality spindle and latch hardware. Don't want the thing to rattle apart after a few years or seize up and not open.

If I ever get one, I will likely make it myself, so simplicity of design is going to be the main criteria.

 

[iptman]

What's your definition of over landing? If it includes wooded trails then rear quarter protection might be desired. I have the IPOR bumper and really wish it had that. I don't know of any bumper that bolts to all 6 tow hitch captured nuts. Typically just the back 4 are used and if the rear cross member isn't removed then those 4 as well. With the IPOR bumper you can still use the OEM tow hitch so if that's important and you're not rock crawling that might be a good option.

 

[Lpmk6]

I still think the Labs is one of the cleanest out there and very modular. Strong, good tow hitch point, great clearance. The cross member is beefier than what you cut out. Just my 2cents.

I like the labs as well. I’m trying to test the market appetite for a lower cost alternative to what’s out th

What's your definition of over landing? If it includes wooded trails then rear quarter protection might be desired. I have the IPOR bumper and really wish it had that. I don't know of any bumper that bolts to all 6 tow hitch captured nuts. Typically just the back 4 are used and if the rear cross member isn't removed then those 4 as well. With the IPOR bumper you can still use the OEM tow hitch so if that's important and you're not rock crawling that might be a good option.

overlanding meaning 80% road, 10% fire road, 9% trail, 1% oh sh?t how did I end up here. For the type of travel I’m thinking of, this Bumper’s primary function is to carry a spare, extra spare, fuel and a ladder.

 

[Lpmk6]

I think 4x4 labs is the best design that can be bought. Everybody and their cousin has one, which is not so attractive.

Biggest factor I can think of is quality spindle and latch hardware. Don't want the thing to rattle apart after a few years or seize up and not open.

If I ever get one, I will likely make it myself, so simplicity of design is going to be the main criteria.

Simplicity is it.

 

[retrofive]

I like the labs as well. I’m trying to test the market appetite for a lower cost alternative to what’s out th

overlanding meaning 80% road, 10% fire road, 9% trail, 1% oh sh?t how did I end up here. For the type of travel I’m thinking of, this Bumper’s primary function is to carry a spare, extra spare, fuel and a ladder.

Beer weekend and to it yourself with a couple buddies and welder is also tasty aspect to it.......

 

[Lpmk6]

I’m not looking for a bumper for myself. I use a Wilco solo tire carrier. It carries my spare, 6 gallons of fuel in two rotopax, 2 gallons of water and a recovery kit. For my type of recreation, it works well. And isn’t too heavy.

the fabricator I contract to build display fixtures at work is a 30 year experienced tradesman and I believe in the work he and his wife does. They are a small shop but when they aren’t busy with my orders or other large orders, they hit financial walls. They really like my truck and he wants to get into truck parts.
I told him I would help him design and market a bumper, roof rack etc.

I’m good at sourcing hardware so if it’s a matter of spindle and latch or bolt and C-channel, I can get them at jobber prices. I just need to know what the preference is.

 

[Azca]

I have the LABS bumper. Wish I had integrated a trailer wire receptacle and recessed cut outs for rear facing floods. Lights that would illuminate out to 30 degrees to the sides also would be on my wish list.

 

[englaneato]

I’m not looking for a bumper for myself. I use a Wilco solo tire carrier. It carries my spare, 6 gallons of fuel in two rotopax, 2 gallons of water and a recovery kit. For my type of recreation, it works well. And isn’t too heavy.

the fabricator I contract to build display fixtures at work is a 30 year experienced tradesman and I believe in the work he and his wife does. They are a small shop but when they aren’t busy with my orders or other large orders, they hit financial walls. They really like my truck and he wants to get into truck parts.
I told him I would help him design and market a bumper, roof rack etc.

I’m good at sourcing hardware so if it’s a matter of spindle and latch or bolt and C-channel, I can get them at jobber prices. I just need to know what the preference is.

Big factor in price is where the shop is...
If you think you got a good one you should do a group buy. I still need one.

 

[chap79]

the rear I had used the 6 bolts from the carrier, the 4 from the spare hoist, and bolted the front wings to the frame using the stock hanger location from the resonator. Made a captive nut plate for the driver side to match. You’d be amazed how the wings can flex if you come down hard on a rock. Pic from when I was building it.

 

[Lpmk6]

Beer weekend and to it yourself with a couple buddies and welder is also tasty aspect to it.......

the rear I had used the 6 bolts from the carrier, the 4 from the spare hoist, and bolted the front wings to the frame using the stock hanger location from the resonator. Made a captive nut plate for the driver side to match. You’d be amazed how the wings can flex if you come down hard on a rock. Pic from when I was building it.

on the wing movement, I can imagine. The wings tips are pretty far from the captive nuts. That’s a long lever.

 

[Lpmk6]

Big factor in price is where the shop is...
If you think you got a good one you should do a group buy. I still need one.

I would like to generate some interest here. The shop is located in Santa Ana, CA. Being local to Anaheim and Los Angeles, the are a large number of fabricators so plenty of supply shops to source material from. Example: Wilco off-road is 1/4 mile away from my fabricator.

 

[Outsane]

Just a thought

So far I have been running without a rear bumper.

For the kind of wheeling you described, I have been fine without one.

I welded 4x4 tubes a plate and some gussets. To the stock frame.

I have plenty of other things that add weight.

But everyone else runs a big bumper, and they look great.

 

[davidp14]

Interested in what you come up with.

I've pretty much relegated myself to keeping the stock bumper and the spare in the cargo area mostly because all of the aftermarket options dont seem to tick my boxes.

 

[mudgudgeon]

Best way to generate interest is to design and build a prototype get one on a truck and get pics on the net.

 

[Lpmk6]

Just a thought

So far I have been running without a rear bumper.

For the kind of wheeling you described, I have been fine without one.

I welded 4x4 tubes a plate and some gussets. To the stock frame.
View attachment 2225756

I have plenty of other things that add weight.

But everyone else runs a big bumper, and they look great.

Yes! I was thinking the same thing. One of our fellow members came up with something a few years ago but stopped making them. Steel wings. Something a little tougher than stock but follows the same overall patter and mounts to both stock points and the captive nuts for the tow hitch. Basically something stronger to mount spindles to.

 

[jfz80]

Yup. Bring back that option perhaps. Hefty fab works wings were popular while in production.

 

[Lpmk6]

Yup. Bring back that option perhaps. Hefty fab works wings were popular while in production.

I think those are a great option for those who want some protection but more importantly, a mounting point and, keep the original cross member.

 

[TriploktinKC]

Very interested in what you come up with. I would love an affordable option for exactly the same purpose- not a crawler, but wanting something beefier than stock with spare swing-out.