LX450 rear bumper build

[Wheelingnoob]

Started playing around with the Jerry can holder.

Tail lights still visible from behind.

Still have good departure.

This frame was just for mock-up and does not represent what it will look like when done other than its position.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Jason the sound I was here was the latch side of the swing out, I tightened it about 1/2 turn and its perfect no more sounds.

I also fixed the stated broken exhaust hanger as well for good measure.

 

[markthemenace]

That's a truly fantastic job there man! I've been thinking of fabricating one up for myself for quite awhile now, just thinking of the work involved, which seems more mechanical than anything else. Frankly the way I have my spare now, in front of the vehicle just seems kinda "old". I mean...its where VW busses have their spares (I know, I have one!)

It seemed to appear that you were a newbie at welding in the beginning and learnt along the way? Did you use a wire-feed welder or stick one? Did the actual swing-out come fabricated or just in the laser-cut parts which you then had to weld together?

I read every page on this thread, and I may have still missed it, but how does the thing latch together? I know that if I were to go this route, the swing-out needs to be easily unlatched to allow the wife to open the top for groceries etc.

And finally, do you ever get hassled by the cops for number plate and taillight visibility?

Yeah, I know, lotsa questions ...thanks! .

 

[Wheelingnoob]

That's a truly fantastic job there man! I've been thinking of fabricating one up for myself for quite awhile now, just thinking of the work involved, which seems more mechanical than anything else. Frankly the way I have my spare now, in front of the vehicle just seems kinda "old". I mean...its where VW busses have their spares (I know, I have one!)

Well I am very happy I took on the project. My concern with having a tire in front is the lack of air flow through the rad. VW buses (pre Vanagon) do not need any frontal air flow. Putting the 240 light force lights and winch on my ARB raised my average engine temp 8deg F so an obstruction like a spare would be significant.

It seemed to appear that you were a newbie at welding in the beginning and learnt along the way? Did you use a wire-feed welder or stick one? Did the actual swing-out come fabricated or just in the laser-cut parts which you then had to weld together?

Well I have welded quite a bit but I got years between welding projects and get rusty fast. Welding requires the correct set-up on the welder and a steady hand. I built all the parts of the swing out myself and all of it was cut with a Chop saw and a angle grinder.

I read every page on this thread, and I may have still missed it, but how does the thing latch together? I know that if I were to go this route, the swing-out needs to be easily unlatched to allow the wife to open the top for groceries etc

.

It uses a Destco latch like most the other bumpers out there, they are easy to use with one hand and when latched hold it very tightly. You just need to set them up so they pull the swing out down and in to the bumper.

And finally, do you ever get hassled by the cops for number plate and taillight visibility?

Not yet, the plate is viable front directly behind and has a light. Its only tepararly set up though till I get the Jerry can set-up finished. Once its done the plate will be mounted below the swing Jerry cans with a light. The tail lights are not blocked at all and totally legal.

Yeah, I know, lotsa questions ...thanks! .

Any time.

 

[markthemenace]

Excellent, great answers, thanks! Some serious fodder for thought now

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Excellent, great answers, thanks! Some serious fodder for thought now

Like I said the hardest part for me was getting the bumper to match the picture I had of what I wanted in my mind. The wings took a solid week to get the way I wanted and about $80 in metal. Unfortunantly a lot of times my skill can not match my anal standards when it comes to work on my truck. So its a battle between the two quite often.