I've took the leap and removed my stock rear bumper last night, and started fabricating some mounts. The overall look is going to depend on how I mount the tire carrier though and I was hoping to get some input.
I was originally planning to go the traditional spindle route, but then I noticed Coastal Offroad's style and I really liked it, but it will only work if I use hiem joints so I can mount the swing arm on the outer edge of the bumper. What do you think of the idea of using a 5/8" bolt through 2 hiem joints with a piece of steel tubing as a bushing? I'd like to copy the way coastal offroad does the ends of the bumper but without the tubing protection.
It seems like doing it this way would keep the tire and carrier a little further from the back gate when closed as well which might be a good thing I dunno. I think the spindle looks cleaner, but at the same time it means I have to extend a flat section out to fit the spindle which I don't like the look of as much.
I was originally planning to go the traditional spindle route, but then I noticed Coastal Offroad's style and I really liked it, but it will only work if I use hiem joints so I can mount the swing arm on the outer edge of the bumper. What do you think of the idea of using a 5/8" bolt through 2 hiem joints with a piece of steel tubing as a bushing? I'd like to copy the way coastal offroad does the ends of the bumper but without the tubing protection.
It seems like doing it this way would keep the tire and carrier a little further from the back gate when closed as well which might be a good thing I dunno. I think the spindle looks cleaner, but at the same time it means I have to extend a flat section out to fit the spindle which I don't like the look of as much.