Towing with 4x4labs rear bumper (1 Viewer)

[rhyary]

If you thought like me that buying a 4x4labs gets you towing hassle free, you will be mistaken.

I had two standard 2" ball mounts - neither fit.
I had a tube extension sent to me by 4x4labs (they made it) the holes did not line up, and I couldn't use it.

I bought a Blue Ox 10" drop ball mount - it did not fit.

So I went to a local metal shop. They ground the Blue Ox down. Now it fit, but the holes did not line up.

Drilled a bigger hole - now everything worked.

I just wished everything just worked after spending so much money on the bumper, and more for installation.

The other things that did not lined up
The jerrican carrier - needed to drill larger holes. Did not fit. You wouldn't think it came from the same shop, but it did.

The frame side holes - you guessed - did not fit. had to elongate them.

Do I like the bumper yes.
Would I buy it again? Yes
But not cart blank. I would make the shop jump thru hoops to make sure everything fit.
I would hold some money back until everything works as it should.

The bumper is great. But it seriously lack attention to details.

And yes, the tire carrier that was sent was the wrong one. But the shop sent me another one overnight and that one fit great.

Finally - I recommend that if you want to tow, plan on getting the Blue Ox. I got the 10" but I recommend getting the 8" or 6"

Rami

 

[retrofive]

I've always heard great things from 4x4's customer service? Did you ask them?

 

[rhyary]

I heard good things too and I have been on the phone with Luke many times.
I try to report my experience as factual as possible.
When I was in the process of ordering, I said over and over: "I must be able to tow my motorcycle and ATV with the bumper".

It is a great bumper, but for the price 4x4labs should take us, the customers, more seriously.

 

[MaddBaggins]

Never had any issue with mine or the other 2 that I built for friends.

 

[retrofive]

I guess my point was did you ask Luke what's with the misfitting?

 

[akarilo]

Had a few small bugs to work out with mine (kit form), but Luke was great. Bent over backwards to accomidate any issues that arose. I would buy it again as well, great product.

 

[Tools R Us]

Wow, I have two drop hitches, a U-Haul and Valley Hitch, they fit great. Have built a couple, helped build a couple and helped install a factory built and have never had a problem with the frame holes. Must be a new thing?

 

[azrider]

Hope its not a new thing, I just ordered mine yesterday.

 

[maniacv]

Mine fit fine... just a standard 2"

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Just built one for my FJ60. It's pretty awesome for a kit.

There is some grinding for a good fit to be done, but once it's all welded up, it's solid as a rock.

I did notice the tow tongue is very tight in the receiver. I have two that both go in but one of them I had to grind all the burrs off. Then it fits but is very tight. The hitch pin holes line up fine.

When fitting the can carrier, I did need to run a 1/2 drill bit through everything for good bolt fit up. If you do this with thought, it makes for an extremely tight and good fit for the bolts.

Regarding the frame holes, the bolts used are 1/2 and 3/8 (for an FJ60, 80 may be different). The rivet holes are not quite 3/8 and I opened them up to 3/8 and then to 25/64. That made a huge difference in ease of fit up.

Anyway, I was very happy with my kit.

 

[rhyary]

Some reported that Luke is a nice guy, I agree 100%.
But the issue is not Luke. The issue is the bumper. I am much better off with a gumpy Luke and a bumper with no issues.

If you don't live in the North East, grinding and drilling is not a problem for you.
For me any grinding and drilling means I no longer have the powder coating and I have to deal with rust.

 

[Tools R Us]

... I have to deal with rust.

Rust!

 

[CharlieS]

rhary,

I live in the northeast and will say with certainty that powdercoat is no match for our roads/salt. Just touch it up with some primer and paint and you'll be as good as it is going to get.

Charlie

 

[ardentyota]

Look inside the receiver tube on the bumper. Is there a raised seem? There is special hitch tube that has that welded seem "rolled" or flattened to allow the hitch to be inserted. If there's a raised seem, they didn't use the right kind of tube for the receiver.

 

[rhyary]

I know about the tube and Luke has explained some issue or another, and I listened nicely because not only Luke is a nice guy. I am nice too.

But back to my point - I don't have to look into a standard 2" receiver tube looking for seams or whatnot.

This is why it is called "standard".

I should buy a standard 2" ball mount and, with my eyes closed, push it into a standad hitch receiver and walla - it fits, and the holes should lined up to boot.

 

[Hefty]

Look inside the receiver tube on the bumper. Is there a raised seem? There is special hitch tube that has that welded seem "rolled" or flattened to allow the hitch to be inserted. If there's a raised seem, they didn't use the right kind of tube for the receiver.

There are 2 different types of receiver square tube. Outer Hitch tube has the seam inside rolled flat as stated. You can get the exact same size square tube that does not have the seam rolled flat. This will cause issues. This is the piece on the bumper. Ardent is correct. It could have been a simple mistake. I own a fab shop and have made mistakes like this without even realizing it before.

I know about the tube and Luke has explained some issue or another, and I listened nicely because not only Luke is a nice guy. I am nice too.

But back to my point - I don't have to look into a standard 2" receiver tube looking for seams or whatnot.

This is why it is called "standard".

I should buy a standard 2" ball mount and, with my eyes closed, push it into a standad hitch receiver and walla - it fits, and the holes should lined up to boot.

Rather than being a prick about the situation why don't you treat the people who are trying to help with some respect. Its not Ardents fault your receiver isn't to your standards. BTW as soon as you put the 2in ball mount in it a couple of time there won't be anymore powder coating in there anyway

 

[rhyary]

Got it. I won't be a prick anymore.
Went outside to the parking lot and checked the inside of the tube.
No seam, smooth as an inside of a square tube can be.

 

[Hefty]

That wasn't the reaction I expected and I commend you for not firing back at me. I apologize if I offended you with my statement.

Since we know that they used the correct steel for the receiver now, is there the possibility that when welded it shrunk the receiver just enough to cause the problems. It doesn't take much when applying that much heat to warp or shrink tubing.

 

[tenmile]

I was reading your post on the 4x4labs bumper and the Blue Ox 10" drop ball, how is it towing, what kind of weight do you tow with confidence.

 

[chappysfj40]

while randy was on deployment i ordered this kit for him and when he returned last sept we put the it together right here in my little garage and then towed a trailer to SNT 2009 and there was o issues at all. every hole lined up and everything. just my experience with them.

cheers