RLC rear tire carrier / swing out / jerry can / custom fab bumper

[grinchy]

I would think so, but then again only 3 of my 4 parking sensors work after transplant, I cut a wire somewhere and can’t be bothered to unmount the whole thing to fix.

You could try to test somehow maybe put a flake of dry paint on one to see what happens?

Edit what about a sharpie?

 

[KLF]

I'll stick a piece of blue painters tape on and see what happens.

Hoping I don't have to buy all new sensors...

 

[KLF]

My RLC rear bumper is installed, I had Main Line Overland install it for me, since I really didn't want to fight with it by myself, and cut the plastic. They did a great job, not cheap, but they were great to work with. They called or texted me every day to give me a progress. Overall they were very impressed with the bumper, and I have to give them a lot of credit for installing it without any instructions.

Issues:
* Parking sensors didn't fit in the existing holes, the holes are too big. I told them to leave them uninstalled, just put some plastic plugs in the holes for now. I will figure this out on my own. The harness will need to be extended at the outer sensors too.

* I didn't have them connect the rear lights, I'll do this as well. The seller included some cheap lights, I may upgrade to some Rigids when I get around to hooking them up.

* I left the swingout off for now. They wrapped some tape around the spindle, then some rubber hose with zip ties.

* My bumper did not include the fillers at the ends just behind the rear tires, which I don't like. I just got off the phone with James (nice guy!) and he is sending me a pair to try since he has 2 bumpers in the shop now that he is building. He said he is reluctant to include these things since sometimes they don't fit, the clearances can be tight. So no promise that they will fit.

Pictures:

Other truck they had in the shop - This RAM was a monster, a highly custom rig first built by AEV, then MLO did the camper fitting, fuel tanks, a few other things.

 

[grinchy]

@KLF sweet. Welcome to the club. Did you not get the fender fills? if not contact James to make you some.

 

[KLF]

Yes James is shipping me a set of the fillers N/C.

The trailer connector really hangs down exposed now, especially with the spare tire removed. Had anybody flush mounted it in the bumper? Looks like the wires would easily reach.

 

[grinchy]

Yeah I did. Just undo the bolts on the bracket and wire tie it up there. I used the tire carrier hoop, but you could just as easily wire tie it to the wire bundles in that area. There's a pic on my build thread I think. (Edit that page linked)

I highly recommend taking the time to build a trailer wiring breakout box. That has been really useful for the rear camera install, the license lights install, and as I'm looking at accessory lighting I think I'll be in there again.

 

[KLF]

I was actually thinking of flush mounting the plug into the face of the bumper, with something like this:

7-Pole and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Sockets w/ Mounting Bracket and Wiring - Vehicle End Hopkins Cus

Not sure I have the courage to drill and hack a huge hole in my shiny new bumper.

 

[grinchy]

Don’t know where there would be space for that . . .but curious to see what you come up with!

 

[RET2]

I was actually thinking of flush mounting the plug into the face of the bumper, with something like this:

7-Pole and 4-Pole Trailer Connector Sockets w/ Mounting Bracket and Wiring - Vehicle End Hopkins Cus

Not sure I have the courage to drill and hack a huge hole in my shiny new bumper.

Just securely fasten the existing receptacle up underneath by the spare tire carrier and save yourself 60 bucks? Not to mention a bottle of Malox from worrying about cutting that strange shaped hole

 

[KLF]

I received the little inserts for the ends from James, they are bent up from what looks like 16ga aluminum. Not the best fit, but I will definitely use them.

What are people using for a mudflap? Is there a generic flat one that works well?

My bumper came with some cheap-o "NiLight" LED lights already installed. These:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5AAX5...dus-20&ascsubtag=pgi-P01-V01-05-X92-LO-T1R3AT

After only a week and a couple of rains, they already have moisture behind the lenses. Took them all apart yesterday, sealed up with silicone. I'll hook them up for now, but these will be replaced in the spring with a pair of Rigids.

 

[grinchy]

I cut the stock flaps off at the molding for the old plastic panels and screwed them back on. Work pretty good and free.
I have a small gap between the flap and the bumper on one side but I don't see it anymore, so I'm ignoring it.

 

[Willy beamin]

I received the little inserts for the ends from James, they are bent up from what looks like 16ga aluminum. Not the best fit, but I will definitely use them.

View attachment 1829626

View attachment 1829627

What are people using for a mudflap? Is there a generic flat one that works well?

My bumper came with some cheap-o "NiLight" LED lights already installed. These:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5AAX5...dus-20&ascsubtag=pgi-P01-V01-05-X92-LO-T1R3AT

After only a week and a couple of rains, they already have moisture behind the lenses. Took them all apart yesterday, sealed up with silicone. I'll hook them up for now, but these will be replaced in the spring with a pair of Rigids.

Pretty sure deals will be had this month on rigids - black friday. Drill some
Holes and rivet those guards in place. Glad youre enjoying your bumper!

 

[KLF]

I need to tweak the fit a little, fortunately I have access to a Pexto brake. Then they need to be blasted and painted. Might use rivets, but thinking of using #10-32 nutserts since I have the tool.

@grinchy are those mudflaps installed upside down after you trimmed them?

Will keep an eye out for deals on the Rigids, otherwise they will go on my list for Santa. Just gonna do a quicky hookup with these cheap ones for now. The "backup" circuit at the trailer connector is protected by a 7.5A fuse, so I'm fine without a relay for now.

 

[grinchy]

The stock flaps have built in ridges that fit against the now missing plastic fills that were behind the wheel.
I just cut on that feature. Trims up with scissors. Reusing the three screw holes that exist up in the wheel well.
If you still have the stock flaps it will be obvious where to trim them.

 

[KLF]

Yah I need to dig them back out and hold them up there. That bottom screw hole threw me off, but it really shows how much clearance there is now versus the old tupperware. Thanks.

Unwrapped the swingout yesterday. There's a tab with a hole at the top of the tire mount. Antenna mount? Hole doesn't look big enough.

 

[Willy beamin]

Yah I need to dig them back out and hold them up there. That bottom screw hole threw me off, but it really shows how much clearance there is now versus the old tupperware. Thanks.

Unwrapped the swingout yesterday. There's a tab with a hole at the top of the tire mount. Antenna mount? Hole doesn't look big enough.

Yes, that was the initial intent and or camplight extension / baseplate platform. I tried mounting a CB firestick there and while it looked good it will whip the rear spoiler. I believe @steenh fashioned part of his hilift there? - correct me if I'm wrong. In my opinion, if you're not running a roof rack, then its a great place for camplights. the tolerance between the said "tab" and rear glass is so tight, which is a good thing, that options for other usages are limited.

 

[KLF]

OK, that is very helpful. I was also thinking that a fiberglass antenna would whack the spoiler. I don't care about a CB (kinda over that), but want to get a 2m/440 antenna on the truck at some point. Will include a constant hot wire in the bundle that I'm starting to envision for the swingout.

 

[steenh]

Yes, that was the initial intent and or camplight extension / baseplate platform. I tried mounting a CB firestick there and while it looked good it will whip the rear spoiler. I believe @steenh fashioned part of his hilift there? - correct me if I'm wrong. In my opinion, if you're not running a roof rack, then its a great place for camplights. the tolerance between the said "tab" and rear glass is so tight, which is a good thing, that options for other usages are limited.

That's exactly what I did. I don't carry a highlift anymore, but when I did, this is how I mounted it using those holes. Worked great.

 

[Willy beamin]

@steenh - what replaced the hilift?

 

[steenh]

Bottle jack and @LandCruiserPhil 's awesome attachment. That's how we fixed up Shobtime's tire in the muck on Sunday. Worked great.