who has installed a 4+Products rear bumper? Help needed (36 Viewers)

[Schroedinger]

I got my new-to-me 60 last weekend and it came with a 4+ rear bumper installed. The swing arms are almost completely siezed and it’s nearly impossible to get into the rear cargo area.
I got the weather caps off and I’ve been trying to get the swing arms off so I can lube/replace the bushings (or perhaps just leave them off). I’ve been working for two days to get them off the bumper spindles and I’m stumped. I’ve emailed the manufacturer with no response. So two questions:
1) during installation, is there a particular orientation that lets the arms drop onto the spindles? Is there some sort of interior keyway feature that prevents them from coming off or are they just smooth spindles?
2) was there a crossmember between the frame rails that was removed, and do I need to find a replacement if I go back to a stock bumper?

Pictures for reference, thanks.

 

[Godwin]

The swing arms just slide down on the spindles. Remove the tire, hi-lift jack, and fuel cans from the swing arms then take the hi-lift and use it to jack up the arms as near the spindle as you can get.

A cross-member has to to be removed to mount the 4+ bumper, so if you remove the 4+ you'll need to source a good cross-member to remount a stock bumper.

 

[Dubs2017]

This might be helpful.

Thread '4plus Swing-out Pivot Lubrication'

Sep 2, 2015

I have the "classic" rear 4plus bumper on my 60. One of the swing arms is a little bit stiff to move. How do I lubricate the pivot? I can't see how to un-assemble it.

• FJ60Seth
• Replies: 13
• Forum: 60-Series Wagons

 

[Skniper]

If you went back to a stock bumper, I’d probably buy that one from you.
Little far away though.

 

[Rockstar34]

I experienced the same issue on my 40. Dave Gore responded to my email and this was his solution.
It worked well for mine but also hadn’t had them on for a long period of time.

 

[Schroedinger]

This is helpful, but I don’t see any shaft collars at the bottom? The weather caps at the top have a set screw and I’ve already removed those, is that what he means?

 

[Schroedinger]

Also, I’ve tried the pry bar and rock technique with no luck. These things are bound on there VERY tightly. It takes almost all of my strength to swing them an inch, and I’m a pretty big/strong guy.

 

[Rockstar34]

The 40 series design is a little different than yours mine have the collars on the bottom (see attached photo).

But should be the same concept for removing the arms? Mine was also very hard to move back and forth but once it started move up a little it got easier. You might try reaching out to them again and see if there’s a different option for the 60 models.

 

[Schroedinger]

Halle-effing-lujah, they're off.

The hi-lift jack trick worked. I just needed to get sustained upward pressure on the arms (the weight of the vehicle). When I started to rock the arms back and forth, they slowly rose up off the spindles. I'm going to leave them off for now.

 

[Rockstar34]

Congratulations!
Perseverance paid off.
I wish they would put a grease zero on there spindles to make it easier to maintain. I’ve debated on attempting to drill and tap them myself?
Other than that I’m pleased with there product, well built, the latches can be a bit cumbersome at times.
Love your cruiser bye the way.

 

[franklin40]

awesome bumpers but i’ve had a heck of a time with my spindles. even using 3 in one oil mine seized so bad i had to cut them off. so i have new spindles for bearings im going to install instead of the bushings. i dont know why it happened to me but i assume its the salty winters and dry dusty summers that gaoled them up. normally when they’d get tight i could wiggle them off with some effort to clean and them but the last time they were so stuck i lifted the whole back of my truck off the ground with the high lift and it didn’t budge. kinda sucked but oh well. i still love the bumper and will hopefully find it easier to maintain with a bearing but time will tell.

 

[Schroedinger]

Thanks Franklin, keep me posted on that. Not very encouraging, this bumper has been a PITA for me so far. Mine won't be a serious offroader, more of a town cruiser and a way to get to trailhead and fishing spots when I move to MT next summer. The extra hassle of swinging the gates out to get to the tailgate might be more trouble than it's worth for me. I'm going to figure out whether I can put the spare in the stock location under the floor; the spool mechanism is still there but it doesn't have a chain or cable or anything. Need to figure out what parts to look for.

 

[Schroedinger]

Congratulations!
Perseverance paid off.
I wish they would put a grease zero on there spindles to make it easier to maintain. I’ve debated on attempting to drill and tap them myself?
Other than that I’m pleased with there product, well built, the latches can be a bit cumbersome at times.
Love your cruiser bye the way.

Thanks! I also thought about installing a grease zerk, but in the thread linked above the manufacturer recommends against using grease with these because it interferes with the bearing clearance and the lubrication (ha!) impregnated in the bearings. He recommends only using light oil like 3-in-1.

 

[toy_tek]

Thanks Franklin, keep me posted on that. Not very encouraging, this bumper has been a PITA for me so far. Mine won't be a serious offroader, more of a town cruiser and a way to get to trailhead and fishing spots when I move to MT next summer. The extra hassle of swinging the gates out to get to the tailgate might be more trouble than it's worth for me. I'm going to figure out whether I can put the spare in the stock location under the floor; the spool mechanism is still there but it doesn't have a chain or cable or anything. Need to figure out what parts to look for.

I have a rust free spare tire hangar & mechanism if you need it. Pm me.

 

[Skreddy]

Thanks Franklin, keep me posted on that. Not very encouraging, this bumper has been a PITA for me so far. Mine won't be a serious offroader, more of a town cruiser and a way to get to trailhead and fishing spots when I move to MT next summer. The extra hassle of swinging the gates out to get to the tailgate might be more trouble than it's worth for me. I'm going to figure out whether I can put the spare in the stock location under the floor; the spool mechanism is still there but it doesn't have a chain or cable or anything. Need to figure out what parts to look for.

I haven’t finished my tire carrier yet so still run the spare under the floor in the stock location. My spare is a 33” tire and I’ve got room for possibly up to a 35” before hitting exhaust or the rear OME shackles. Just FYI.