Rear Bumper

[MEMCruiser]

I finally tore rear tupperware bumper off and am saving my dollars for some rear armor. I have done a few searches but have not found a good thread comparing Slee's new bumper to 4x4 labs and bump it off road.

A little info on truck: It has in the rear the 860 Rear coil and springs and N101 Nitro shocks. Up front I have the diff drop and 303001 torsion bar and N133 Nitro shocks. If I add front and rear bumper can I run current set up or what should I do to fix it. new Springs or spacers?

Some thoughts on rear bumper would be: I would like to be able to tow. I want good departure angle. I would like to be able to put tire on DS of LC. I am not crazy about cutting my frame. Especially since I do not have any power tools except skill saw.

Thanks.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

You'll want heavy springs for sure. Spacers won't fix the fact the medium springs can't support the added load. This is also your opportunity to go 3" up with OME863 and then add 3" wheel travel with N74L shocks. Then level the front T-bars to 2.75" up. You will not believe how your rig will be like off-road with that setup compared to what you have now.

Bumper-wise it looks like either will do for you. I'm not a fan of the 4x4 Labs though owners who have them seem to like them. Driver's Choice I guess?

 

[MEMCruiser]

So I need to change the rear only? What if I add armour up front, do I keep everything as listed?

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

So I need to change the rear only? What if I add armour up front, do I keep everything as listed?

If you stay at 2":

Add 866 and be done with the rear. When you add a front bumper then you'd tweak your T-bars back to the height it was before (is now).

If you go to 3":

Add 863 to the rear (with or without adding N74L shocks) and then raise the front end an extra 3/4 inch. When you add a front bumper then you'd tweak your T-bars back to the height it was before.

 

[MEMCruiser]

Anybody got any pics of their bumpers?

 

[Dobie]

Ill post some pics from an outing today in the picture thread. Its a Slee dual swingout bumper. I have 860 springs and OME torsion bars with front/rear bumpers and sliders. I'm probably pushing the weight recommendations for the 860's but I don't carry any other weight such as drawers or stuff like that. If the springs are too soft for my application I don't notice it...

 

[Skidoo]

I run 866 with Slee old style single swing rear bumper. Metal drawer, tools and recovery gear.
Springs would be too light if I did not run airbags in them. Can tune for heavier loads.

 

[spressomon]

Although not rated I've towed two trailers extensively (2,500lbs rolling weight; 200-350lb tongue weight) on and off-road with my Slee rear bumper without issue.

One thing to be aware of on the 4x4 Labs rear bumper: The hitch pin is a PITA to get to if you expect to remove the bumper side hitch regularly and/or want to use a hitch tightening/no-rattle accessory since it located behind the bumper.

And maybe not on your list but I would imagine the 4x4 Labs bumper might complicate/restrict the size of an aux tank you could use...not sure on this.

IMO the fitment of the Slee is without peer. No tweaking, no grinding needed...just bolt on and go. Very well designed and fabbed!

 

[dclee]

Slee makes great products, but I am one of those who prefers the 4x4Labs bumper. Yes, it does require cutting the rear cross-member off, but it addresses what is IMHO one of the biggest problems of the 100, its big fat a$$!

 

[davegonz]

I love my 4x4 Labs rear bumper, but I do agree with Spresso in regards to the hitch pin. If you do a ton of towing, it becomes a pain in the ass to reach up and under the bumper. Maybe GenericLC will post pics of his bumper where he welded the hitch tube further out to allow external access to the hitch pin.

Here's a pic of mine and my modified bike rack.

 

[02 Beast]

How did you modify that rack? I have a Yakima with receiver extension (b/c of spare tire on swingout) and it sticks out about 4 feet past the spare... Would rather something directly off the spare, feels like I have a trailer back there.

 

[davegonz]

I built the swing arms myself. So when I built the tire carrier, I built the tube where the tire mounts on out of 2" receiver tubing.

Here's the build up thread: https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/365922-bike-rack-design-4x4labs-rear-bumper.html

 

[02 Beast]

Great idea. Looks good.

 

[khoopes]

I am comparing 4X4 and slee (maybe ARB) myself right now and hope some more guys can post pics of their installations. One thing that bothers me on my rig is TOO much ground clearance-all my underside available for viewing. I tow alot and spend most of my time on the highway. Does anyone know if the ARB has a tow rating? Technically my LX470 is a commercial vehicle and I would like to stay DOT legal.

Luke is working with me on custom coloration- Does Slee or ARB offer color matching?? I am trying to match my dark gray Lexus body cladding.

 

[hoser]

Both ARB and Kaymar are rated for towing... but I don't think it is a D.O.T. rating but rather ADR (Australian Design Rules). Maybe one of our Australian members can expand on that.

But many of the bumpers mentioned can be used with the OEM hitch as well.

 

[mvpcruiser]

Yeah if i were doing alot of towing i would install a OEM hitch

 

[Stealthmimic]

Front and rear armor for my 100

I have ARB in front and Kay-Mar on the rear. I would look seriously at Slee were I to do it again, but am generally very happy with this set up. All the suspension including TB's, Shocks and Springs have been up graded to fit the load which also includes a 45gal sub tank, Engle fridge and internal AO drawer system. With the RTT, and Slee sliders, I upgraded to 865's and performance is flawless.

Not much more I can do to this rig other than a second swing arm in the rear for H20 (absurdly expensive - looking for alternative). Really like the Baja HIDs in the front and have them switched in the forward part of the center console so its just reaching a finger down to turn on one, all, or the rear task light (which is really cool btw, and VERY handy - acts as a back up light and get-off-my-A$$ light as well) Had it out in the Black Rock desert and No Cal Modoc in the Warner range a couple of months ago and the trip was great.

 

[Stealthmimic]

Front and rear armor for my 100

I have ARB in front and Kay-Mar on the rear. I would look seriously at Slee were I to do it again, but am generally very happy with this set up. All the suspension including TB's, Shocks and Springs have been up graded to fit the load which also includes a 45gal sub tank, Engle fridge and internal AO drawer system. With the RTT, and Slee sliders, I upgraded to 865's and performance is flawless.

Not much more I can do to this rig other than a second swing arm in the rear for H20 (absurdly expensive - looking for alternative). Really like the Baja HIDs in the front and have them switched in the forward part of the center console so its just reaching a finger down to turn on one, all, or the rear task light (which is really cool btw, and VERY handy - acts as a back up light and get-off-my-A$$ light as well) Had it out in the Black Rock desert and No Cal Modoc in the Warner range a couple of months ago and the trip was great.

 

[MEMCruiser]

Stealth, thanks for the pics

 

[dclee]

Kaymar also makes an excellent product, especially for expeditionary use. For that purpose, it may be the best one out there. But I would not take one on something like the Rubicon (did it, after the second trip removed it and replaced with a 4x4Labs bumper). As always, the mission drives the gear train!