Custom rear bumper on stock springs...too heavy?

[cbmontgo]

I am looking at buying a steel bumper (JK Customs style) with a swing-out tire carrier for my 60. I have stock springs, but they still are very solid and sit at the factory height and do not sag. Do you guys think a steel bumper with a swing-out tire carrier will make it sag too much? Do I need to look at an add-a-leaf? The bumper weighs 100-150 lbs.

I carry that much weight fairly often back there when I go camping or hunting, and she sits fine.

I need to get my spare 33 out of the back of my truck, and I don't want it underneath (and it won't fit in my garage on my roof rack).

Input appreciated. I would like to keep my stock height, so a lift is not necessarily in the works.

Thanks...

 

[sandcruiser]

that's a lot of weight to have behind the bumper (the spare tire)... more than the stock springs were built to handle well. I think you'll see that they sag quickly.

A single addaleaf might do the trick for you. Or, if you want to get complicated, why not look into airbags? then you could adjust ride height to be the same level empty or loaded. But the add a leaf is probably plenty and much cheaper/easier to do.

 

[chicago]

I didnt think ANY THING would cause those springs to sag...Mt. everest...Freightliner truck...Oprah...They seem so heavy.
That surprises me to hear that 150lbs would do it.

Chicago

 

[sandcruiser]

it's not just the weight- it is the fact that you are hanging it off of the rear of the truck. If you put that same weight in the truck, over the axle, it probably wouldn't make a difference. But an aftermarket bumper weighs a bit more than the stock one, then the the carrier is there, then a 33 (weighs what, 60lbs?) hanging out another couple of inches beyond the bumper....

You should be able to get the springs to move a little by jumping lightly on the bumper... it'll be similar.

 

[cbmontgo]

Good points. I need to figure this out. I just went out in my garage to do a little experiment. I weigh about 200 pounds, so I took a pic of my 60 without any weight on the back, and another pic with me sitting on the outer edge of the tailgate. In both pics, keep in mind, there is also a 33 sitting in the back of the 60, so it is actually more weight than will actually be there with this bumper theoretically. Pic 1 is no load on the springs:

 

[cbmontgo]

Pic 2 is 200 lbs on the rear tailgate. I am pretty damn impressed that it dropped less than 1/8" or so. I think even with 200 more lbs of stuff in the back, I can make it work without a lift. I know that eventually it may strain the springs more, but I'll do something about that later...maybe OME one day...

What do y'all think?

Pic 2:

 

[sandcruiser]

if that is your 60 in your avatar, I think you are already sagging more than you think. Go for it on the tire carrier-- worst thing that happens is that it does end up sagging, then you can decide what is the best solution from there...

 

[cbmontgo]

Yeah, that avatar pic does look screwy, but it doesn't look like that actually. I may have to switch pics!

 

[cbmontgo]

Here's how she sits now. Some of us at LSLC measured it one night and the springs sat higher than most...but it was Shiner Thursday now that I think about it...

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

How about pics of that custom front bumper?

 

[peepers]

it sags. get some dakar springs before you get a rear bumper

 

[beaufort-fj60]

i'm thinking your rear springs must of been replaced. my 31's are stuffed in the rear wheel well, and i can see a few inchs above your 33 rear tire.

 

[cbmontgo]

Well, it sounds like I need to get some springs. I was hoping not to get into that just yet.

Cruisin' Carolina, here's an old pic of my front bumper prior to 33s...

 

[cbmontgo]

beaufort, that is what I thought too. So, am I gettting a "go ahead and get the f'in bumper" vote?

 

[Exiled]

I say get the bumper, had a chance to see one of them being finished a couple of weeks ago and I was pretty impressed with the quality, it's a really nice bumper for the money.

 

[hammer1]

my iron pig bumper make my rear sag a bit too, even with new springs. Seems like an add-a-leaf is the way to go.

I dont look forward to doing it, but i cant stand to see the sag

 

[89s rule]

I say get the bumper, then when it sags decide what you want to do to compensate. It is not like you will have to do work over. Its additional either way. And who knows by the time it sags enough to bother you or the performance then you may have enough save for Alcan or OME. Instead of the add a leafs.

 

[BigSur]

How did you take the picture of your truck if you were sitting on it ?

 

[dtrain]

Or, if you want to get complicated, why not look into airbags? then you could adjust ride height to be the same level empty or loaded. But the add a leaf is probably plenty and much cheaper/easier to do.

I have a full airbag seutp for Sale if you are interested (guage, compressor, lines, fittings, brackets, etc...). I used it for exactly what sandcruiser suggested. I had a stock setup and would tow + carry the dirtbike on the back.

It worked very well. Plus helped the ride quite a bit. I took them off becuase I went with the OME springs, shackles, and 33's.

 

[89s rule]

How did you take the picture of your truck if you were sitting on it ?

remote? timer? either one would work. (At least thats how I would do it with my camera.)