Bolt on 80 Series Tire Carrier Compatible with Factory Bumper

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I wish I’d been smart enough to do this. Very happy with how mine turned out but good lawd—measuring 20 times before drilling once was nerve wracking.
Same goes for me!!! I actually ended up doing a great job measuring! What screwed me up was trying to find out why my bumper wasn’t sitting flush so I chopped a bunch of the material away from the spindle. Turned out it was the bottom of the spindle.
 
I'm working on a couple different concepts for the "corner armor" all of which will work with the tire carriers already out in the world. Right now I have 3 different ideas and want to hear some of your feedback.

Idea 1: Corner armor completely replace the bumper plastic and integrates with the existing frame mount. This would be the middle of the road on cost and weight. pictured without the spindle.
corner armor 1.JPG



idea 2: Full corner replacement. This is essentially a bumper but without the long piece going across the truck. it would gain more clearance than idea 1 and be the strongest and most protection while also strengthening the tire carrier. It also will be the most expensive and heaviest of the current ideas. I don't have a great model to take a picture of yet but it would look similar to above but gain about 1.5 to 2 inches of clearance. It would replace the frame mount for a 1 piece unit.

Idea 3: Reuse the frame mount and plastic but trim the bottom of the plastic to gain clearance and add a plate to the bottom that would protect the corner if you drop into a hole/rock. This would go along with the theme of keeping the stock look but add the protection needed all while staying mostly light. This option would be the cheapest and lightest of the three. It could look something like this underneath the plastic.
1683814497249.png


The plastic would be cut levelish with the frame, something like this

corner armor plastic.png


What are your thoughts/preferences??
 
Extremely interested in Milwaukee Packout support.

I got tired of moving all my duffle bags and cases of tools while I baseline my cruiser. My parents have a nice empty garage that I use on the weekends, I didn't want my tools located in two different places. Just went to home depot and bought the rolling tool box plus some of the deep tool cases. Every friday night I just grab the packout and go.

I've been slowly organizing the layout of it and I've got it pretty dialed in. The first time I took the cruiser out some after some maintenance, I loved being able to just throw the whole packout setup in the back. Piece of mind that my cruiser specific tools are all there.

I think it would be neat to some how convert the whole cargo floor to the packout locking surface. My first idea was to cut a sheet of plywood to fit in the back and then screw their wall plates down on it.

Maybe it could be possible to make a plate that uses the third row seating hardware to "click in" a packout compatible surface? Just spit balling.
 
Extremely interested in Milwaukee Packout support.

I got tired of moving all my duffle bags and cases of tools while I baseline my cruiser. My parents have a nice empty garage that I use on the weekends, I didn't want my tools located in two different places. Just went to home depot and bought the rolling tool box plus some of the deep tool cases. Every friday night I just grab the packout and go.

I've been slowly organizing the layout of it and I've got it pretty dialed in. The first time I took the cruiser out some after some maintenance, I loved being able to just throw the whole packout setup in the back. Piece of mind that my cruiser specific tools are all there.

I think it would be neat to some how convert the whole cargo floor to the packout locking surface. My first idea was to cut a sheet of plywood to fit in the back and then screw their wall plates down on it.

Maybe it could be possible to make a plate that uses the third row seating hardware to "click in" a packout compatible surface? Just spit balling.
We actually kicked around this idea. Basically a system that would bolt to the floor and have places to mount things, ratchet strap, packouts and whatever else. Just a base to secure things in the back.
 
I'm working on a couple different concepts for the "corner armor" all of which will work with the tire carriers already out in the world. Right now I have 3 different ideas and want to hear some of your feedback.

Idea 1: Corner armor completely replace the bumper plastic and integrates with the existing frame mount. This would be the middle of the road on cost and weight. pictured without the spindle.
View attachment 3320041


idea 2: Full corner replacement. This is essentially a bumper but without the long piece going across the truck. it would gain more clearance than idea 1 and be the strongest and most protection while also strengthening the tire carrier. It also will be the most expensive and heaviest of the current ideas. I don't have a great model to take a picture of yet but it would look similar to above but gain about 1.5 to 2 inches of clearance. It would replace the frame mount for a 1 piece unit.

Idea 3: Reuse the frame mount and plastic but trim the bottom of the plastic to gain clearance and add a plate to the bottom that would protect the corner if you drop into a hole/rock. This would go along with the theme of keeping the stock look but add the protection needed all while staying mostly light. This option would be the cheapest and lightest of the three. It could look something like this underneath the plastic.
View attachment 3320045

The plastic would be cut levelish with the frame, something like this

View attachment 3320046

What are your thoughts/preferences??
Matt, I love option 3. You’ve been keeping with the lightweight designs. This is a great idea.
 
We actually kicked around this idea. Basically a system that would bolt to the floor and have places to mount things, ratchet strap, packouts and whatever else. Just a base to secure things in the back.
Exactly. You could sell it similar to your swing out tire carriers (which I'm also planning on buying). Left half of floor | Right half | Both sides.

My stuff doesn't move around right now because the whole stack of stuff is 100+ pounds. It would be nice to be able to insert an eye hook into a packout slot so I could tie down my little fridge, etc etc. It really is endless possibilities.

I've got a not so good picture of my stuff in the back, and also my slightly crunched passenger side quarter panel that could use a cover up. Was planning on buying your passenger side swing out to help hide it and actually be able to carry a 35" spare.
IMG-4323.jpg
 
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I'm working on a couple different concepts for the "corner armor" all of which will work with the tire carriers already out in the world. Right now I have 3 different ideas and want to hear some of your feedback.

Idea 1: Corner armor completely replace the bumper plastic and integrates with the existing frame mount. This would be the middle of the road on cost and weight. pictured without the spindle.
View attachment 3320041


idea 2: Full corner replacement. This is essentially a bumper but without the long piece going across the truck. it would gain more clearance than idea 1 and be the strongest and most protection while also strengthening the tire carrier. It also will be the most expensive and heaviest of the current ideas. I don't have a great model to take a picture of yet but it would look similar to above but gain about 1.5 to 2 inches of clearance. It would replace the frame mount for a 1 piece unit.

Idea 3: Reuse the frame mount and plastic but trim the bottom of the plastic to gain clearance and add a plate to the bottom that would protect the corner if you drop into a hole/rock. This would go along with the theme of keeping the stock look but add the protection needed all while staying mostly light. This option would be the cheapest and lightest of the three. It could look something like this underneath the plastic.
View attachment 3320045

The plastic would be cut levelish with the frame, something like this

View attachment 3320046

What are your thoughts/preferences??
3, 2, 1

3 is lighter and less expensive than a custom bumper
2 is entering custom bumper territory
1 … I don’t see the point vs 3 or 2
 
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I'm working on a couple different concepts for the "corner armor" all of which will work with the tire carriers already out in the world. Right now I have 3 different ideas and want to hear some of your feedback.

Idea 1: Corner armor completely replace the bumper plastic and integrates with the existing frame mount. This would be the middle of the road on cost and weight. pictured without the spindle.
View attachment 3320041


idea 2: Full corner replacement. This is essentially a bumper but without the long piece going across the truck. it would gain more clearance than idea 1 and be the strongest and most protection while also strengthening the tire carrier. It also will be the most expensive and heaviest of the current ideas. I don't have a great model to take a picture of yet but it would look similar to above but gain about 1.5 to 2 inches of clearance. It would replace the frame mount for a 1 piece unit.

Idea 3: Reuse the frame mount and plastic but trim the bottom of the plastic to gain clearance and add a plate to the bottom that would protect the corner if you drop into a hole/rock. This would go along with the theme of keeping the stock look but add the protection needed all while staying mostly light. This option would be the cheapest and lightest of the three. It could look something like this underneath the plastic.
View attachment 3320045

The plastic would be cut levelish with the frame, something like this

View attachment 3320046

What are your thoughts/preferences??
Along the lines of corner option 2, which would replace the swing out support, I’d like to see you offer the supports for sale separately from the swing outs. If someone ordered corner 2 then they wouldn’t need to buy the supports or could resell the supports they already have.

You seem to have a good cottage industry going with CAD and I presume CNC plasma cutters, I hope you will sell more modular options that are sold separately (several styles of swing outs and supports) rather than bigger all in one kits. At least for diy kits that the customers have to weld themselves.
 
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After running around with the second swing out, I had a realization with the design. If it was just a bit shorter, the hatch could still be opened without messing with the swing out.
So I trimmed the top and sure enough it works. Going to make adjustments to the design for this going forward.
707615439.jpg
 
Update on corner armor!
Made some rough prototypes, adjustment will be made to the production model. I'm really liking where it's going. It can work with or without the factory plastic. You could even trim the factory plastic to really increase clearance. Best part is it only adds about 20 pounds (if you have a tire carrier) to each side. What you can't see in the picture is a massive gusset attaching it to the frame. It's all bolt on and easy to install. Going to go beat it up at Windrock in a couple weeks to test it out. Put a jack under the weakest area and picked the truck up, it moved 1/8 of a inch.

IMG_20230531_132730087_HDR.jpg


With the armor, actually ended up cutting the vertical piece off and making a new one slightly bigger. Didn't grab a picture.
IMG_20230531_170722743_HDR.jpg



With Land Cruiser (not LX) plastic
IMG_20230531_170657843_HDR.jpg


Trimmed plastic for a lot more clearance. Going to experiment with the cut and how it ends in the rear.
IMG_20230531_171704765_HDR.jpg
 
Update on corner armor!
Made some rough prototypes, adjustment will be made to the production model. I'm really liking where it's going. It can work with or without the factory plastic. You could even trim the factory plastic to really increase clearance. Best part is it only adds about 20 pounds (if you have a tire carrier) to each side. What you can't see in the picture is a massive gusset attaching it to the frame. It's all bolt on and easy to install. Going to go beat it up at Windrock in a couple weeks to test it out. Put a jack under the weakest area and picked the truck up, it moved 1/8 of a inch.

View attachment 3340628

With the armor, actually ended up cutting the vertical piece off and making a new one slightly bigger. Didn't grab a picture.
View attachment 3340632


With Land Cruiser (not LX) plastic
View attachment 3340639

Trimmed plastic for a lot more clearance. Going to experiment with the cut and how it ends in the rear.
View attachment 3340640
You have my support!
 
Update on corner armor!
Made some rough prototypes, adjustment will be made to the production model. I'm really liking where it's going. It can work with or without the factory plastic. You could even trim the factory plastic to really increase clearance. Best part is it only adds about 20 pounds (if you have a tire carrier) to each side. What you can't see in the picture is a massive gusset attaching it to the frame. It's all bolt on and easy to install. Going to go beat it up at Windrock in a couple weeks to test it out. Put a jack under the weakest area and picked the truck up, it moved 1/8 of a inch.

View attachment 3340628

With the armor, actually ended up cutting the vertical piece off and making a new one slightly bigger. Didn't grab a picture.
View attachment 3340632


With Land Cruiser (not LX) plastic
View attachment 3340639

Trimmed plastic for a lot more clearance. Going to experiment with the cut and how it ends in the rear.
View attachment 3340640
Question, and this might be a dumb one...are you going to make the side armor with the panel "hoops" for added protection, or is that not possible?

Either way, looking forward to seeing the final product on the corner armor pieces!
 
Question, and this might be a dumb one...are you going to make the side armor with the panel "hoops" for added protection, or is that not possible?

Either way, looking forward to seeing the final product on the corner armor pieces!
No sir no hoops. The corner armor is designed to work with the corner plastic bit still look good if you decide to go without it. Very minimalistic.
 
We also tried out a new design of low profile, bolt together sliders. They took a beating, especially over the cats and didn't flinch. I honestly doubt I'll bring them into production though. They are a PITA to manufacture and there are too many configurations for different years. But they look unique.

IMG_20230616_082842968_HDR.jpg

IMG_20230616_082847129_HDR.jpg

IMG_20230617_141302234_HDR.jpg
 
We also tried out a new design of low profile, bolt together sliders. They took a beating, especially over the cats and didn't flinch. I honestly doubt I'll bring them into production though. They are a PITA to manufacture and there are too many configurations for different years. But they look unique.

View attachment 3385669
View attachment 3385671
View attachment 3385673

I actually would love this. I've been brainstorming on a simple low profile bolt on as well. Would you be willing to share more detailed pictures so that I may be able to fabricate me own?
 

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