OK, you win.....Sandwich with our bumper in between
Our Bumper
Other Cars
More here
Slee - Toyota 80 Series Land Cruiser - Rear Bumper Detail
Slee vs 4x4labs Rear Bumper
- Thread starter F0RSAKEN
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
OK, you win.....
Here are some pics of the one Luke built for me. Hopefully they offer more details than you were able to find elsewhere.
A few more and notice the tail pipe cut and resonator removed in the last one. Oh and yeah I know I have a bunch of shackles back there, the ones by the pintle hook are for the safety chains on my M416.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2004
- Threads
- 274
- Messages
- 23,205
- Location
- Chandler, AZ
- Website
- www.tontorecreationalliance.org
Some observations from my trail experiences with bumpers, all are IMHO and YMMV. I only have had the 4x4Labs on my rig, but have wheeled with, spotted most of the other brands. The only one that I rate not acceptable for rock work is the Kaymar, the side wings are weak and tend to flex, bend.
The Labs bumper has better clearance, but the big advantage for me is the great angles. They slide on/off of obstacles very well at all angles. The most common example is; your climbing an obstacle and don’t make it, requiring a backup and reset, the rear bumper is on the ground/rock, as you reverse the angled bumper does a much better job of sliding over uneven rock, even lifting the rig, the square lower edge bumpers tend to dig, catch, hang. I have never hung up a labs bumper, can't say the same for square type.
We have had very good results from the wing side protection. One trail the we run has a tall, steep, off camber to driver, waterfall with a window high bolder on the driver’s side. Rob was attempting it and got out of shape, hopped the rear and slammed the bolder, accompanied by loud bang and a cloud of rock dust. I figured we were in for quarter repair, spotted him up and got a look, big gouges in the side wing, tube and flare, zero body damage, the bumper paid for itself right there.
On the strength issue, other than the Kaymar they are all pretty much bomb proof. A bumper that catches on obstacles, transfers more load to the truck, so must be stronger to do the same job. No matter how bomb proof, they all attach to the ~1/8” thick box frame and the body is soft mounted, in big impacts both flex, move, so it largely come down to clearance between the bumper and body. Our Labs bumpers were kits, we angled the side wing tubes out more than I have seen on other Labs bumpers, This doesn't look as nice, but the added clearance has so far prevented body contact. Not saying the Labs bumpers are weak, they are 3/16” cross bar, 1/4” wings, tied, boxed together by ~3 feet of weld on each side and a receiver hitch cross member, so bomb proof.
They all will get the job done, but for the type of wheeling that I do the angled bumper is an advantage. Rob and I ran ours unpainted for a year, had no problem with dragging them over rock, early and often, so got a good idea of how they work.
In a rear ended accident on the street, the angled bumper probably would be a disadvantage for a small car hitting it, my guess is it would be more likely to be forced under the truck.
The Labs bumper has better clearance, but the big advantage for me is the great angles. They slide on/off of obstacles very well at all angles. The most common example is; your climbing an obstacle and don’t make it, requiring a backup and reset, the rear bumper is on the ground/rock, as you reverse the angled bumper does a much better job of sliding over uneven rock, even lifting the rig, the square lower edge bumpers tend to dig, catch, hang. I have never hung up a labs bumper, can't say the same for square type.
We have had very good results from the wing side protection. One trail the we run has a tall, steep, off camber to driver, waterfall with a window high bolder on the driver’s side. Rob was attempting it and got out of shape, hopped the rear and slammed the bolder, accompanied by loud bang and a cloud of rock dust. I figured we were in for quarter repair, spotted him up and got a look, big gouges in the side wing, tube and flare, zero body damage, the bumper paid for itself right there.
On the strength issue, other than the Kaymar they are all pretty much bomb proof. A bumper that catches on obstacles, transfers more load to the truck, so must be stronger to do the same job. No matter how bomb proof, they all attach to the ~1/8” thick box frame and the body is soft mounted, in big impacts both flex, move, so it largely come down to clearance between the bumper and body. Our Labs bumpers were kits, we angled the side wing tubes out more than I have seen on other Labs bumpers, This doesn't look as nice, but the added clearance has so far prevented body contact. Not saying the Labs bumpers are weak, they are 3/16” cross bar, 1/4” wings, tied, boxed together by ~3 feet of weld on each side and a receiver hitch cross member, so bomb proof.
They all will get the job done, but for the type of wheeling that I do the angled bumper is an advantage. Rob and I ran ours unpainted for a year, had no problem with dragging them over rock, early and often, so got a good idea of how they work.
In a rear ended accident on the street, the angled bumper probably would be a disadvantage for a small car hitting it, my guess is it would be more likely to be forced under the truck.
Last edited:
Maybe that's another difference to note when looking at the two bumpers. With the 4x4 Labs rear, you need to cut off the resonator, as Dan explains: IH8MUD™ Forums - View Single Post - Resonator/ Exhaust Tip?
Are there any exhaust modifications necessary (not optional, but necessary) with the Slee rear?
I believe those are just gussets for strength and Luke has holes in them for aesthetics.
No modifications if you have stock exhaust or exhaust routed in the stock location. The stock pipe does hang below the bumper and it will be only a matter of time before you squish it. The link you posted shows my Slee with a custom tail pipe tucked up.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2004
- Threads
- 274
- Messages
- 23,205
- Location
- Chandler, AZ
- Website
- www.tontorecreationalliance.org
Well there you go. I guess I could easily modify my chains to hook up under there instead of running the original hooks that are too big. Or leave it as is and enjoy a
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
Mr Dan .. can you take the pics of both bumpers side by side .. ( we are patiend and wait for it .. 
)
Maybe I miss it .. but didn't see the weight comparision of both ...
) Maybe I miss it .. but didn't see the weight comparision of both ...
TrickyT
Hate that mud...
The 4x4Labs bumper weighs in at around 200lbs, with tire carrier, ladder, and single can carrier. From that you need to subtract 83lbs for the rear cross member, spare tire holder, and other OEM bumper stuff you must remove, so the net increase is ~117lbs.
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
thanks dude .. any info on the slee rear bumper . ?
semlin
curmudgeon
i agree with tools r us. they are all beefy enough and well made. the only meaningful differences are
-clearance and sloped exit design = 4x4 labs wins by a mile.
-cutting the frame = no going back and you can't keep the bumper if you ever switch trucks...
-cutting the frame = no ability to remove the spindles and store 33s under the truck when not offroading. i do get tired of the swingarm.
-you lose the resonator with 4x4 labs bumper
-slee's spindle lock design to hold it open is better imho than the gas shock system luke uses. i keep breaking gas shocks.
the real benefit is departure angle. for a reference point, on 33" revos with older j springs on the rear the approximate right triangle dimensions are as follows
-the bottom of the bumper is 25" from the ground vertically
-the distance from the centre of the rear tire to the point where the vertical line from the bumper intersects the ground is 36.5"
-the hypotenuse is 44"
This is not a perfect right triangle, so my measurement is not precise, but i think the truck has a departure angle of about 35 degrees
according to this site, the stock departure angle on an 80 is 25 degrees.
http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/cars...ec=86&make_name=TOYOTA&model_name=LANDCRUISER
if I subtract 4" in height for my lift and tires, I think that would give the 4x4 labs bumper on a stock truck a 30 degree departure angle, or a 5 degree improvement over the stock bumper.
to get that same 5 degree improvement using just tires and lift, I would think you would need about 4 inches of total lift although i'd need to know the equivalent stock measurements to be sure.
my trigonometry is rusty so please feel free to correct
-clearance and sloped exit design = 4x4 labs wins by a mile.
-cutting the frame = no going back and you can't keep the bumper if you ever switch trucks...
-cutting the frame = no ability to remove the spindles and store 33s under the truck when not offroading. i do get tired of the swingarm.
-you lose the resonator with 4x4 labs bumper
-slee's spindle lock design to hold it open is better imho than the gas shock system luke uses. i keep breaking gas shocks.
the real benefit is departure angle. for a reference point, on 33" revos with older j springs on the rear the approximate right triangle dimensions are as follows
-the bottom of the bumper is 25" from the ground vertically
-the distance from the centre of the rear tire to the point where the vertical line from the bumper intersects the ground is 36.5"
-the hypotenuse is 44"
This is not a perfect right triangle, so my measurement is not precise, but i think the truck has a departure angle of about 35 degrees
according to this site, the stock departure angle on an 80 is 25 degrees.
http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/cars...ec=86&make_name=TOYOTA&model_name=LANDCRUISER
if I subtract 4" in height for my lift and tires, I think that would give the 4x4 labs bumper on a stock truck a 30 degree departure angle, or a 5 degree improvement over the stock bumper.
to get that same 5 degree improvement using just tires and lift, I would think you would need about 4 inches of total lift although i'd need to know the equivalent stock measurements to be sure.
my trigonometry is rusty so please feel free to correct
sleeoffroad
Supporting Vendor
Slee rear bumper with carrier is 175lbs.
this has been a great thread for me to read. I have a Kaymar and have been thinking about getting something more offroad orientated and the two contenders have been Slee and 4x4labs. I talked with Christo and have communicated with 4x4labs through email.
It's kind of strange how I just couldn't make up my mind and kind of shelved the idea for the better part of this year.
The fact that the 4x4 bumper cuts the frame for better clearance is also the reason that I'll most likely go with a Slee. I've always said that these 80s are only temporary as you can get another one so cheap that it would be foolish for me to buy into a bumper that would have to get replaced when a new truck was acquired.
It's kind of strange how I just couldn't make up my mind and kind of shelved the idea for the better part of this year.
The fact that the 4x4 bumper cuts the frame for better clearance is also the reason that I'll most likely go with a Slee. I've always said that these 80s are only temporary as you can get another one so cheap that it would be foolish for me to buy into a bumper that would have to get replaced when a new truck was acquired.
MaddBaggins
Remember the KnightRider!
Semlin, if you keep breaking gas shocks, I think your stops aren't set right. The shock shouldn't be the stop. I've had zero issue with my shocks after a good 18 months. My stops are set just before the shocks bottom out.
MaddBaggins and I just put together my 4x4Labs a few weeks ago:
The bumper kit was in my hands ~2 weeks after I placed the order.
~300lbs shipping weight - mine has tire carrier, ladder, and jerry can holder.
The bumper kit was in my hands ~2 weeks after I placed the order.
~300lbs shipping weight - mine has tire carrier, ladder, and jerry can holder.
So,
you can get the spare tire, ladder AND can holder on the same bumper? I thought it was an either/or on the last 2 of 3 options.
Gots any pics?
what about the ability to put a long range tank?
I guess that the slee bumper has no problem with the tank, what about with the optional 2" carrier? can you still put a long range tank?
I know there is a threat about a guy who has a 4x4 labs bumper with a long range tank but i am not shure he has the 2" hitch carrier.
I need a bumper with carrier and the ability for a future long range tank.
I guess that the slee bumper has no problem with the tank, what about with the optional 2" carrier? can you still put a long range tank?
I know there is a threat about a guy who has a 4x4 labs bumper with a long range tank but i am not shure he has the 2" hitch carrier.
I need a bumper with carrier and the ability for a future long range tank.
