So I wanted to make a different style of high clearance rear bumper and wanted it to match my future tubular front bumper and also wanted the utility of dual swing outs. After tedious measurements, and hours upon hours of computer modeling, I believe I created a sharp looking design that was also functional and as high clearance as I could get it.
I first started by cutting off the rear cross member and then about another 1/2" off of the rear frame members.
I cut down all the way to where the welds were for the captured nuts and then ground down everything and then painted everything.
I cut out some frame mounts on the waterjet from 3/8" steel.
The frame mounts use the captured M14 x 1.5 nuts on the frame rails (8 on the bottom and 4 on the outboard sides)
I then welded on the central tube made from 2 x 4 x 3/16" tubular rectangular tubing. The central tube contours the rear of the vehicle. I also streamlined the corners that could possibly smack against rocks (something I've observed on other bumpers). This tube also supports the swingouts. The spindles (from 4x4 labs) are welded on the inside and outside.
The hitch is welded onto the central tube and then supported by a cross member to beef everything up.
The tow points are cut from 1" steel and welded on the central tube, frame mount, and the cross member.
I then welded up the rest of the tube work on the center section of the bumper so that it would be even with the bottom of the frame.
For a chain plate, I decided to tie the hitch into the lower round tube. I added holes on the sides for a chain. I don't quite know if this will work 100% but if it does not, I will just drill some holes in the hitch gussets (where it attaches to the crossmember) and call it good. I also added a set screw to the hitch so that when I need to carry something in there that I do not want to rattle around I have the option.
Next came the wings to protect my rear quarter panels. All of the round tubing is 1.5" x 11 ga.
I designed the wings so that they hug the side of the vehicle as close as possible while still providing the most ground clearance possible. I also positioned the tubes along the wing to ensure that the different parts of the body would be adequately protected and that if a rock were to come into contact with the bumper, it would slide easily to the rear of the vehicle.
By the way, all cantilever members and members with a possible side load were gusseted in atleast 2 locations and on different planes if needed.
I first started by cutting off the rear cross member and then about another 1/2" off of the rear frame members.
I cut down all the way to where the welds were for the captured nuts and then ground down everything and then painted everything.
I cut out some frame mounts on the waterjet from 3/8" steel.
The frame mounts use the captured M14 x 1.5 nuts on the frame rails (8 on the bottom and 4 on the outboard sides)
I then welded on the central tube made from 2 x 4 x 3/16" tubular rectangular tubing. The central tube contours the rear of the vehicle. I also streamlined the corners that could possibly smack against rocks (something I've observed on other bumpers). This tube also supports the swingouts. The spindles (from 4x4 labs) are welded on the inside and outside.
The hitch is welded onto the central tube and then supported by a cross member to beef everything up.
The tow points are cut from 1" steel and welded on the central tube, frame mount, and the cross member.
I then welded up the rest of the tube work on the center section of the bumper so that it would be even with the bottom of the frame.
For a chain plate, I decided to tie the hitch into the lower round tube. I added holes on the sides for a chain. I don't quite know if this will work 100% but if it does not, I will just drill some holes in the hitch gussets (where it attaches to the crossmember) and call it good. I also added a set screw to the hitch so that when I need to carry something in there that I do not want to rattle around I have the option.
Next came the wings to protect my rear quarter panels. All of the round tubing is 1.5" x 11 ga.
I designed the wings so that they hug the side of the vehicle as close as possible while still providing the most ground clearance possible. I also positioned the tubes along the wing to ensure that the different parts of the body would be adequately protected and that if a rock were to come into contact with the bumper, it would slide easily to the rear of the vehicle.
By the way, all cantilever members and members with a possible side load were gusseted in atleast 2 locations and on different planes if needed.
Last edited:
). Any other jack length will fit and you only have to loosen one nut to get it off. The tire swingout also has an integrated hitch. My main plan for this is to modify my thule bike carrier to fit this arrangement (thanks to davegonz for this idea). I also can use it to hold a cargo rack for more storage. The hitch has a set screw to ensure that whatever is hitched up will not rattle around.
