Ultraswing mod for 200 series (1 Viewer)

[BigMF]

All, I made the unusual mistake of ordering something (RIGd UltraSwing Hitch Carrier Mega-Fit) for my LX without doing all of my research. You don't need to slap me around, I've done enough of that to myself since Saturday afternoon. That being said, I wouldn't testify in court to it since it was 5 weeks ago, but I did call the company and I'm sure one of the questions I would have asked is "Will this fit my LX?" and was told it would. However, maybe it wasn't clear to them that the LX is the same thing as an LC.

Anyway, as you can probably already guess, the problem is that the lower portion of the tailgate comes in contact with the top of the Ultraswing which is very disappointing because I'm very happy with the quality of the product itself. Before everyone jumps on the "why not a full bumper?" or "the Wilco fits" train, I'll explain my reasoning for the Ultraswing, Keep in mind that I thought this would fit.

1. I don't really want or need a full metal bumper (or Kaymar bar) right now because I'm not wanting hack up the rear end yet. The hitch carrier allows you to retain some city manners.
2. I liked the 250lb cargo limit of the Ultraswing over the 150lb cargo capacity of the Wilco.

So, I'm thinking about trying to modify the Ultraswing to work for me. All I need to do is slide the whole unit out by about 2 inches and then the tailgate will lower completely with no conflict. My idea is to cut the existing hitch off of the Ultraswing, weld it to a "receiver tube", and then weld that back to the Ultraswing to gain the 2 inches I need. I'd like to retain the original hitch portion because it has a nice anti-wobble feature but am not completely married to it.

Here's what the hitch looks like. The anti-wobble feature is where the end is cut at an angle and a bolt runs through it. Once you insert the hitch into the receiver, you tighten the bolt and the end rises up, effectively wedging the hitch in very securely.

ultraswing01.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

Here's the receiver tube:

ultraswing02.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

I would insert as much of the original hitch into the tube as possible to gain as much strength as possible and end up something like this but with the original anti-wobble feature retained:

Here's a mockup:

ultraswing03.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

Any thoughts on the proposed solution or other ideas?

 

[RET2]

All, I made the unusual mistake of ordering something (RIGd UltraSwing Hitch Carrier Mega-Fit) for my LX without doing all of my research. You don't need to slap me around, I've done enough of that to myself since Saturday afternoon. That being said, I wouldn't testify in court to it since it was 5 weeks ago, but I did call the company and I'm sure one of the questions I would have asked is "Will this fit my LX?" and was told it would. However, maybe it wasn't clear to them that the LX is the same thing as an LC.

Anyway, as you can probably already guess, the problem is that the lower portion of the tailgate comes in contact with the top of the Ultraswing which is very disappointing because I'm very happy with the quality of the product itself. Before everyone jumps on the "why not a full bumper?" or "the Wilco fits" train, I'll explain my reasoning for the Ultraswing, Keep in mind that I thought this would fit.

1. I don't really want or need a full metal bumper (or Kaymar bar) right now because I'm not wanting hack up the rear end yet. The hitch carrier allows you to retain some city manners.
2. I liked the 250lb cargo limit of the Ultraswing over the 150lb cargo capacity of the Wilco.

So, I'm thinking about trying to modify the Ultraswing to work for me. All I need to do is slide the whole unit out by about 2 inches and then the tailgate will lower completely with no conflict. My idea is to cut the existing hitch off of the Ultraswing, weld it to a "receiver tube", and then weld that back to the Ultraswing to gain the 2 inches I need. I'd like to retain the original hitch portion because it has a nice anti-wobble feature but am not completely married to it.

Here's what the hitch looks like. The anti-wobble feature is where the end is cut at an angle and a bolt runs through it. Once you insert the hitch into the receiver, you tighten the bolt and the end rises up, effectively wedging the hitch in very securely.

ultraswing01.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

Here's the receiver tube:

ultraswing02.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

I would insert as much of the original hitch into the tube as possible to gain as much strength as possible and end up something like this but with the original anti-wobble feature retained:

View attachment 2710778

Here's a mockup:

ultraswing03.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

Any thoughts on the proposed solution or other ideas?

You're not done yet? Go for it and if you have any concerns get a certified welder to do it.

 

[highfructose]

seems like a solid plan. Sucks that you’re gonna have to spend another $150 or so to get it done.

 

[BIC JET]

All, I made the unusual mistake of ordering something (RIGd UltraSwing Hitch Carrier Mega-Fit) for my LX without doing all of my research. You don't need to slap me around, I've done enough of that to myself since Saturday afternoon. That being said, I wouldn't testify in court to it since it was 5 weeks ago, but I did call the company and I'm sure one of the questions I would have asked is "Will this fit my LX?" and was told it would. However, maybe it wasn't clear to them that the LX is the same thing as an LC.

Anyway, as you can probably already guess, the problem is that the lower portion of the tailgate comes in contact with the top of the Ultraswing which is very disappointing because I'm very happy with the quality of the product itself. Before everyone jumps on the "why not a full bumper?" or "the Wilco fits" train, I'll explain my reasoning for the Ultraswing, Keep in mind that I thought this would fit.

1. I don't really want or need a full metal bumper (or Kaymar bar) right now because I'm not wanting hack up the rear end yet. The hitch carrier allows you to retain some city manners.
2. I liked the 250lb cargo limit of the Ultraswing over the 150lb cargo capacity of the Wilco.

So, I'm thinking about trying to modify the Ultraswing to work for me. All I need to do is slide the whole unit out by about 2 inches and then the tailgate will lower completely with no conflict. My idea is to cut the existing hitch off of the Ultraswing, weld it to a "receiver tube", and then weld that back to the Ultraswing to gain the 2 inches I need. I'd like to retain the original hitch portion because it has a nice anti-wobble feature but am not completely married to it.

Here's what the hitch looks like. The anti-wobble feature is where the end is cut at an angle and a bolt runs through it. Once you insert the hitch into the receiver, you tighten the bolt and the end rises up, effectively wedging the hitch in very securely.

ultraswing01.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

Here's the receiver tube:

ultraswing02.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

I would insert as much of the original hitch into the tube as possible to gain as much strength as possible and end up something like this but with the original anti-wobble feature retained:

View attachment 2710778

Here's a mockup:

ultraswing03.png

• BigMF
• Jun 21, 2021

Any thoughts on the proposed solution or other ideas?

You may not want this, but I think either Thule or Yakima make an extender for the Land Rover Discovery as the spare is mounted ot th edoor. I used to have one and this is what I had to do for my bicycle carrier. You might investigate it at least. Worst case, I could sned you mine if you think it could work.

 

[BigMF]

You may not want this, but I think either Thule or Yakima make an extender for the Land Rover Discovery as the spare is mounted ot th edoor. I used to have one and this is what I had to do for my bicycle carrier. You might investigate it at least. Worst case, I could sned you mine if you think it could work.

I appreciate the offer but I don't think I'll need it. I went to an auto shop not too far from my house that does a lot of overlanding/4x4 work to see if they could do the fab work for me. I'd heard about the shop but never been there. I was very encouraged by the 7-8 Land Cruisers of different generations in the parking lot along with an early 80's Jeep CJ-8Scrambler (the first iteration of the Gladiator ) amonst many other similar vehicles. The owner proceeded to show me his 80 series that he's in the middle of doing an engine swap on and his cool trailer that he's building.

They have a good fabricator who should be able to knock it out without any issues. The only downside is like @highfructose said, I'm going to have to shell out even more cash for it. However, on the upside, there is nothing else available for me to spend that money on right now.

 

[JetFuel]

I appreciate the offer but I don't think I'll need it. I went to an auto shop not too far from my house that does a lot of overlanding/4x4 work to see if they could do the fab work for me. I'd heard about the shop but never been there. I was very encouraged by the 7-8 Land Cruisers of different generations in the parking lot along with an early 80's Jeep CJ-8Scrambler (the first iteration of the Gladiator ) amonst many other similar vehicles. The owner proceeded to show me his 80 series that he's in the middle of doing an engine swap on and his cool trailer that he's building.

They have a good fabricator who should be able to knock it out without any issues. The only downside is like @highfructose said, I'm going to have to shell out even more cash for it. However, on the upside, there is nothing else available for me to spend that money on right now.

It's nice having a relationship with a shop like that - especially one with Cruiser expertise!

 

[ekolpack]

I just sold my Ultraswing MegaFit based on this, and reporting from RIGd themselves. When the guy came to pick it up he was like, "Nah man, it'll fit your 200, I'm putting it on my 80 with the fold down tailgate, it'll fit just fine." Sure enough, we tried putting it on....you have to swing out the tire carrier to get the rear tailgate to fold down, but this seems obvious. Why would you be opening your back tailgate with ANY swingout tire carrier closed and in the way??? So I'm not sure what everyone is talking about saying the MegaFit won't work on LC200's or LX570's.

Are you saying you can't open the tailgate without swinging out the tire carrier? Well, yeah....obviously. Is there something else going on here I'm missing? There was plenty of clearance on mine....didn't even need to swing the thing out all the way.

 

[BigMF]

I just sold my Ultraswing MegaFit based on this, and reporting from RIGd themselves. When the guy came to pick it up he was like, "Nah man, it'll fit your 200, I'm putting it on my 80 with the fold down tailgate, it'll fit just fine." Sure enough, we tried putting it on....you have to swing out the tire carrier to get the rear tailgate to fold down, but this seems obvious. Why would you be opening your back tailgate with ANY swingout tire carrier closed and in the way??? So I'm not . It was that when you swing the carrier out of the way and then let the tailgate down, the clear plastic over the back up lights was resting on the

The problem I ran into was what when you let the tailgate down, the clear plastic that covers the "back up" lights were resting on the steel bar that goes horizontal out to the pivot point. They may have changed the design since my was built and added an inch to the piece that goes into the receiver on the truck but it would not work for me without the modification I mentioned above. All that was needed was pushing that bar an inch further out so they may have recognized that and modified the design a bit.

 

[ekolpack]

The problem I ran into was what when you let the tailgate down, the clear plastic that covers the "back up" lights were resting on the steel bar that goes horizontal out to the pivot point. They may have changed the design since my was built and added an inch to the piece that goes into the receiver on the truck but it would not work for me without the modification I mentioned above. All that was needed was pushing that bar an inch further out so they may have recognized that and modified the design a bit.

Are you sure you had the Mega Fit version? My tailgate was nowhere near that 45 deg upright portion of the swing out....or the pivot point/bolt in the swing out. Mine was the older version with the orange plastic clip (they changed the clip design on newer models).

 

[bloc]

Can you just drill two more holes further toward the wedge? Is there 2" of room from the rear hole to the ramp? Any part of the bolt/wedge assembly in the way of a pin going through that close to the wedge?

 

[BigMF]

Are you sure you had the Mega Fit version? My tailgate was nowhere near that 45 deg upright portion of the swing out....or the pivot point/bolt in the swing out. Mine was the older version with the orange plastic clip (they changed the clip design on newer models).

Yep:

Mine was purchased in June of 2021.

 

[BigMF]

Can you just drill two more holes further toward the wedge? Is there 2" of room from the rear hole to the ramp? Any part of the bolt/wedge assembly in the way of a pin going through that close to the wedge?

I was a little worried about turning the tube into swiss cheese and weakening it. I didn't want to worry about the whole thing breaking off on a trail. I'm a big fan of over-engineering.

 

[bloc]

I was a little worried about turning the tube into swiss cheese and weakening it. I didn't want to worry about the whole thing breaking off on a trail. I'm a big fan of over-engineering.

To me the biggest concern with my plan would be if one of the existing holes lines up with the end of the hitch receiver, as that would put a bending moment right at the weakest part. But someone that knows what they are doing with a welder could easily fill those and address that concern.

Otherwise, that appears to be quite thick-wall 2" square tube.. should give you plenty of wiggle room for modification.