Last time I went from AOE front bumper to 4x4Labs front. Now I went from Huston Fab rear bumper to 4x4Labs. As with the AOE, I had no real complaints with Sean's bumper. It's an incredibly well built bumper. Everything is well thought out and made with convenience in mind. But it's no fun to wheel with that thing in the rocks. It sticks out way too far and hangs too low in the corners. It's an anchor dragging along the rocks.
This is what I had before
I'm gonna skip all the build pics and details, those are in my build thread. Or just let me know if you have any questions. Let's jump right in
Color is Rustoleum 'Hammered Gray" to match the front. Also decided to change up the wheel color. This is Rustoleum "Annodized Bronze". As you can see there's nothing bronze about it.
Bumper is a single swingout with several changes. The tire carrier is all DIY. It was supposed to be a swingdown hence extra framing. But decided it was pretty easy to get the tire up that high. Using the swingdown would actually be more hassle. So I just welded it in place. Now the tire carrier is attached at 4 points so it's extra sturdy. I also changed the gas can basket a bit. Added some tube to support the basket and the whole thing is welded solid to the ladder. You'll notice the ladder is welded to the swingout with gussets on the side.
Since my rear fenders are trimmed I also cut a bit off the Labs bumper
High and tight in all the right places
Here you'll see where it once started out as a swingdown with the bushings. Up top you can see where I then welded it in place.
Initially I just had the vertical latch. But if I pulled on the bumper with some force it wanted to slide backwards. I didn't like that so I added another perpendicular latch. Not going anywhere now. The little platform off to the right is a step I built to help get on the ladder because shortpeopleproblems.
Mounting box for the hi-lift and skull for #swag
The giant gate fully open. The little strut that Luke provides is really strong. Need to hang on to this thing cause it wants to fly open.
Instead of the cam stops that Luke provides I went with a spring loaded pull pin to lock the thing in place.
Back side of the ladder showing the upper hi-lift mount.
This is what I had before
I'm gonna skip all the build pics and details, those are in my build thread. Or just let me know if you have any questions. Let's jump right in
Color is Rustoleum 'Hammered Gray" to match the front. Also decided to change up the wheel color. This is Rustoleum "Annodized Bronze". As you can see there's nothing bronze about it.
Bumper is a single swingout with several changes. The tire carrier is all DIY. It was supposed to be a swingdown hence extra framing. But decided it was pretty easy to get the tire up that high. Using the swingdown would actually be more hassle. So I just welded it in place. Now the tire carrier is attached at 4 points so it's extra sturdy. I also changed the gas can basket a bit. Added some tube to support the basket and the whole thing is welded solid to the ladder. You'll notice the ladder is welded to the swingout with gussets on the side.
Since my rear fenders are trimmed I also cut a bit off the Labs bumper
High and tight in all the right places
Here you'll see where it once started out as a swingdown with the bushings. Up top you can see where I then welded it in place.
Initially I just had the vertical latch. But if I pulled on the bumper with some force it wanted to slide backwards. I didn't like that so I added another perpendicular latch. Not going anywhere now. The little platform off to the right is a step I built to help get on the ladder because shortpeopleproblems.
Mounting box for the hi-lift and skull for #swag
The giant gate fully open. The little strut that Luke provides is really strong. Need to hang on to this thing cause it wants to fly open.
Instead of the cam stops that Luke provides I went with a spring loaded pull pin to lock the thing in place.
Back side of the ladder showing the upper hi-lift mount.
