Installed Aftermarket bumper - remove excess parts?

[mschop]

Hey everyone,

I installed an after market bumper and I'm curious if folks recommend removing or keeping original parts on the car. Examples include:

- large original spare tire bracket that goes from one side to the other. There's also a larger bar that attaches at the rear of the car frame
- several small brackets that likely were holding up larger brackets
- spare tire chain and hoist

Why keep:
- avoids certain areas from getting rust (eg screw holes)
- the large tire bracket can help serve as a sort of strut for more stability
- in case you want to go back to stock, easier to do and won't lose parts

Why remove:
- extra weight

 

[hoser]

Either would be acceptable but I would keep the spare tire bracket in place until I had something else to go in its place like a aux fuel tank. It add rigidity and may help in the case of a rear-end accident. For the 100 series, the ones that came with the rear tire carrier from the factory, it also came equipped with the spare tire bracket sans the chain hoist.

 

[bloc]

If you do want to ditch it just put the bolts back into the frame holes to prevent rust.

 

[hoser]

Where do you see that? The factory sub tank sits above the crossmember.

 

[bloc]

Where do you see that? The factory sub tank sits above the crossmember.

You're right, I thought I remembered the spare tire moved down with a subtank but forgot it still needed the bracket to hold it. I'll edit.

 

[hoser]

I posted this article way back that discussed the 200 frame.

"...the Land Cruiser’s frame has fully boxed sections throughout, and the fifth and sixth (of eight) cross members are hydroformed with the thickness of cross member walls increased where they penetrate the side rails. Torsional and bending rigidity are up 40% and 20%, respectively, versus the outgoing model."

If you look in the parts catalog for the frame, there are 8 items labeled crossmember and that includes the crossmember/spare tire carrier. Not proof but certainly supports the notion the crossmember is structural.

 

[bloc]

If you look in the parts catalog for the frame, there are 8 items labeled crossmember and that includes the crossmember/spare tire carrier. Not proof but certainly supports the notion the crossmember is structural.

Good catch. It's hard to believe that thing being bolted on with M8 hardware could do much compared to the others that penetrate the boxed sections, but if that's what they say.. it wouldn't hurt to stay.

OP you can also remove the chain hoist from that crossmember to cut down on weight and unnecessary stuff swinging around under the vehicle. Just four bolts on top of the crossmember IIRC.

 

[mschop]

Thanks. I think I'll do some partial removal of the small things (tire hoist, small brackets) and leave screws in to reduce rust in unneeded places.

Glad we confirmed leaving tire crossmember in place. Had a feeling it may have a dual purpose of something more structural.

 

[grinchy]

For the OEM sub tank, the spare tire bracket moves down to another set of holes. These are easily visible in the frame.

When I used my swing out for the spare I had it off. No noticeable impact to stiffness.