X2. I was able to sell my crashed bumper for a fair price to someone with better cutting / welding / fab skills than me.
If you had the choice to buy a rear bumper again, would you?
- Thread starter BBQ BOY
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
X2. I was able to sell my crashed bumper for a fair price to someone with better cutting / welding / fab skills than me.
I love my Slee rear bumper, one of the best mods on my truck. It is very well designed. I've put less well thought out rear bumpers on Land Rovers I built up, and I appreciate how nice the Slee really is. No wobbles from the spare, the swings open/closed beautifully, the safety pins and latches are well engineered and the weld quality excellent.
The only negative is that my wife drives the truck a lot and I feel bad sometimes because she struggles with the latch. But not bad enough that I'd have it any other way. Just do it. You won't regret this bumper.
The only negative is that my wife drives the truck a lot and I feel bad sometimes because she struggles with the latch. But not bad enough that I'd have it any other way. Just do it. You won't regret this bumper.
Yes i would buy a rear bumper again. Very worth it. I didn't really notice the extra weight, but i have a lot of extra weight already and regeared to 4.88s. Plus i needed one for a tire carrier since i have 295s. The 295 will fit under the cargo area only if i remove the hitch. But even then, it hangs down extremely low.
Some reasons:
1. If you are parked on the side of the road the larger swing out and tire are not placed in traffic.
2. If you have gas can carrier on DS, you can leave them in the can carrier and use a super siphon to transfer gas much easier.
Swing outs can definitely be a PITA. Especially when you have your hands full of stuff and you are just trying to get everything closed up. However, removing the swing outs would take less than 10 minutes. No matter what, even if i wasn't planning on getting a rear bumper with swing outs, i would still have them built with spindles. If for some reason you were to ever sell the bumper, it'd be much more desirable with spindles.
I also agree having a ladder is worthless. Every part of the roof can be reached standing on rock rails, tires, rear bumper or tailgate. For those that say they need it for their roof top tent, i have not seen a single roof top tent that did not incorporate some type of ladder with it already.
Some reasons:
1. If you are parked on the side of the road the larger swing out and tire are not placed in traffic.
2. If you have gas can carrier on DS, you can leave them in the can carrier and use a super siphon to transfer gas much easier.
Swing outs can definitely be a PITA. Especially when you have your hands full of stuff and you are just trying to get everything closed up. However, removing the swing outs would take less than 10 minutes. No matter what, even if i wasn't planning on getting a rear bumper with swing outs, i would still have them built with spindles. If for some reason you were to ever sell the bumper, it'd be much more desirable with spindles.
I also agree having a ladder is worthless. Every part of the roof can be reached standing on rock rails, tires, rear bumper or tailgate. For those that say they need it for their roof top tent, i have not seen a single roof top tent that did not incorporate some type of ladder with it already.
Last edited:
I have the Slee bumper, but never got around to adding the swing-outs. I love the "look" of the spare tire carrier and ladder, but they aren't very practical for me. I'd have to get an extension for my Thule T2 bike rack and I access the rear of my truck pretty regularly.
The bumper by itself was a great upgrade though... replacing the factory receiver (aka The Trencher) with the receiver on the bumper was a tremendous boon. Not to mention, I no longer have to worry about ripping the Tupperware off the back.
The bumper by itself was a great upgrade though... replacing the factory receiver (aka The Trencher) with the receiver on the bumper was a tremendous boon. Not to mention, I no longer have to worry about ripping the Tupperware off the back.
I plan to add a roof rack and use the ladder to crawl up and stand on the rack. Saving maybe for the front runner, but I can't see any easy way to climb up and stand on the roof rack. I just want an awesome observation platform on top of the cruiser. Plus, I might climb up to secure cargo and such (doing this from the side or back my not work out easily ... But that just me and I can't see any other purpose for the ladder except strapping accessories.
The swing outs are a PITA, but you get used to it as time goes on. I think I spend an extra 30 or 45 secs accessing the hatch now. The wife could spend 10 mins
I had a slee and sold it and I don't regret it. The swing out got to be a PITA and the powder coating wasn't that great and it was starting to rust pretty bad. If I did it again I'd get an ARB because the swing out are much easier to operate, its also the only bumper I know of with a hitch rated for towing.
the arb may have a worse departure angle than stock though. It is my least favorite of the aftermarket bumpers. I love the high clearance BIOR, even with the frame cut. That will be my buy once i replace my super custom current rear bumper.
- Thread starter
- #29
I'm thinking of getting the Slee bumper only and forego the swing outs.Still thinking though. Keep it coming guys.
My Slee rear bumper doesnt have swingouts on it, I'd still buy it again.
I'll let you know in a couple weeks. Mike starts fabbing my BIOR sep 10.
I haven't seen any major differences between the BIOR and the slee rear other than price. Every account I have heard from these forums has stated that both are of excellent built quality. The only thing I'm concerned about is the extent to the drain in fuel economy.
I'll be letting DT complete my exhaust next week, so hopefully that will at least put me close to stock fuel economy and power.
I haven't seen any major differences between the BIOR and the slee rear other than price. Every account I have heard from these forums has stated that both are of excellent built quality. The only thing I'm concerned about is the extent to the drain in fuel economy.
I'll be letting DT complete my exhaust next week, so hopefully that will at least put me close to stock fuel economy and power.
The swing out can be a pita and mine has come undone when I was driving because it did not catch when I closed it (user error). That being said, once you get used to the swing out, it is really easy. My ARB bumper saved my rear in it's first time out, the bumper had a nice dent, but no body damage as a result of the rock i hit. Makes sense to hold onto your old bumper if you can. They are a lot of dough, but do amp up the rig and add a ton of protection. I love driving in DC traffic knowing that nothing other than a semi will mess me.
Or a 3rd gen 4runner
I would have to disagree. There are some major differences and they add up to the total cost difference between the two bumpers. I've had a very up close look at both bumpers, side by side, with Christo there to explain the "whys" and "hows". They may look very similar, but that's where it ends.
I'm not bashing the BIOR bumper, it's nice, but there's a good reason why Slee's bumper costs more.
Do elaborate. I'd be interested to hear the specific differences because so far I haven't heard any more complaints about the BIOR than the slee.
(correct me if I'm wrong on any of these)
They both use similar levers to lock them closed
They both use similar mechanical devices to keep them rattle free
They both uses sealed cartridge bearings on the swing outs.
They both have grease zerks installed on the spindle housing
One uses locking pins to hold the arms open
One uses gas struts
Don't get me wrong. Slee makes a great product and I'll agree that the finish is a little nicer on some of the finer details, but I just can't justify spending an extra 1000 or so on basically the same bumper set up.
I'm very interested in this as well. Please elaborate!
Look at each bumper naked, un-powder coated and you'll see the difference.
My ride is on stock bumber. Since I do not have access to SLEE, I will go for MCC an Australian product that have dealer here.
http://www.mcc4x4.com/images/stories/p17.jpg
2002 HDJ101-RNPGZ
Sent from my LT18i using IH8MUD
http://www.mcc4x4.com/images/stories/p17.jpg
2002 HDJ101-RNPGZ
Sent from my LT18i using IH8MUD
This is what I have and I like it. I am in and out of the rear of the truck quite often. I would still reccomend getting the latch pads and the stainless plates the lock pins ride on when you buy it. Wityh those installed, adding the swingouts later becomes a relatively painless exercise.
In the first few weeks of ownership, I got really nervous watching the a-holes in the part of Charlotte that I work in, come flying up behind me at stops. Now that the tupperware is gone, I still keep an eye in the mirror, but I know that anybody that hits me (ther than a semi or 3rd gen runner) is going to have a good bit of damage ... call it a damage multiplier for the other person ....
I have the 1st gen. Slee that I bought used and love it, and here's why:
Pros:
Cons:
I won't mention the drawbacks that Slee has improved on the 2nd gen. design or the new features I don't have. Still love it and not only would I do it again, I'd redo it with the new design and sell the old one if I had the coin.
Pros:
Departure angle clearance. Tire up on the swing-out and an integrated hitch make a very noticeable difference. If I leave shackles on the recovery points, those are now what hit but the bumper easily clears obatacles where I previously dragged the rear or would get hung up.
Very stout recovery points.
Impact tolerance.
Ability to carry a second spare underneath for long trips where clearance is less of an issue. I run 255s so it tucks up pretty well and still better due to not having the factory hitch.
Swing arm is a virtual Swiss Army knife. I use it for:- CB and 2m antenna
OBA outlet port
Removable bait table
Propane distribution post/lantern hanger
Hi-Lift
Shovel
Boomerang Joey tire cover storage pack that carries recovery gear, Rudd chains
Storing leveling ramps that double as a traction/recovery aid
Plan to fab a bracket for a work/backup light
Occasionally store 1lb propane bottles or receiver ball in the well of the spare
Great step for accessing top of vehicle and stowing tent
- CB and 2m antenna
Cons:
Swingout is a PITA. Will interfere with almost all receiver hitch accessories and many trailers.
Heavy. No single rear spring/shock seems to be a fit for both loaded and unloaded with this bumper. Had to install airbags.
Heavy swingout. With a 90lb spare and all my crap on it, it can really get away from you on a side hill
Have to remove bumper to replace striker plates
Recovery points are shin-biters
Installation/shimming is fussy
Latch can be stiff. Needs to be adjusted/lubed to keep it working smoothly
Driving off with it open makes you look like an idiot
I won't mention the drawbacks that Slee has improved on the 2nd gen. design or the new features I don't have. Still love it and not only would I do it again, I'd redo it with the new design and sell the old one if I had the coin.