Woo Hoo-got my 4X4 Labs bumper kit today

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619TOY

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Plan on getting starting tomorrow on the cutting and hacking:D
I'll probably only get started on the initial stages but I plan on finishing it after Christmas.

I would really appreciate any input from anyone else who has built one. Any advice on possible pitfalls etc. As well as any "I wish I'd done...". So far I've opted to use a different, heavier duty latch. Not because I think it needs it but because I think it looks a little better.
 
check with the Copperstate Cruiser guys in AZ....I believe about 4 of them have put together the LABS DIY bumpers....

There are threads about the construction, tips, etc....
 
Thanks, I think I've already sniffed out about 3 of them and am pestering them with PM's as we speak:D
 
Plan on getting starting tomorrow on the cutting and hacking:D
QUOTE]

How long did it take from ordering it to your front door, if you don't mind me asking?

Also, please document your experiences, I am hoping to make my order shortly after the first of the year. :cool:

Jack
 
How long did it take from ordering it to your front door, if you don't mind me asking?

It took about 3 weeks from the time I ordered the parts until I got them.
 
Plan on getting starting tomorrow on the cutting and hacking:D
I'll probably only get started on the initial stages but I plan on finishing it after Christmas.

I would really appreciate any input from anyone else who has built one. Any advice on possible pitfalls etc. As well as any "I wish I'd done...". So far I've opted to use a different, heavier duty latch. Not because I think it needs it but because I think it looks a little better.

Killer bumper!:cheers: Way happy with mine, beat it like a red headed step child and it doesn't care.:D Last weekend, Brother Rob slid/bounced off of a rock sideways into another rock, for sure would have been a caved in rear quarter, but the Luke bumper took it with barely a scratch.

Our kits were the from the first batch, so had a few minor fitting issues. The most significant was, the receiver hitch didn't fit in the bumper hole requiring some grinding.

We ground all of the exposed welds smooth, this was the most time consuming, dirty part. My advice is start with a very aggressive stone, I snagged some 4 grit wheels from one of my foundry customers, made quick work of the first pass!

We hit the welds with the 4 grit, just knocking down the high stuff, then filled any low spots with additional weld and knocked it down again. Changed to a 24 grit stone and started blending, rounding, moved to 24, then 50 grit resin fiber disks and finished it off with 80 grit on a DA sander. Very happy with the result.

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Mine is the poverty pack, plain bar, so wasn't happy with the gap between the bumper and bottom of the tailgate, allowing a view of the trucks underwear. Also with the welding heat the flat top of the shell warped up, causing the gap to be noticeably uneven. We fixed it by using a board on top and a big c-clamp in the receiver hole to push the shell straight, then tacking a strip of 1-1/4x1/8" cold rolled steel along the edge of the cross bar shell.

Worked well and we also did it to my brother's even tho his has a swing and wasn't that noticeable, makes it much cleaner.

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It took about 3 weeks from the time I ordered the parts until I got them.

Good deal, ours were much longer. But they were the first batch and he had design/production issues, so understandable, but frustrating. More so, because it was a club group buy and I had a bunch of members that wanted their stuff!

Maybe I will make the time over the holidays to paint mine, it sporting a nice iron oxide finish right now!:hillbilly:
 
What are the rough costs on the DIY 4x4 Labs Rear bumpers? I didn't see any info on their websites.


This is the info i got from Luke a while back when i asked. There is also an email address on their website or you could just call and talk to them about what you would like.


I copied a snippet from our price list for the
rear bumper. Let us know if you need further info.

thanks,

-luke@4x4labs

--------------

Rear Bumper Kits

Basic bumper- kit $495 Welded and finished $895
1 main bumper shell
2 sides
2 side top tubes
2 d-ring points
towing crossmember
receiver

Single swing out bumper- kit $895 Welded and
finished $1375
1 main bumper shell
2 sides
2 side top tubes
2 d-ring points
towing crossmember
receiver
1 large spindle assembly
1 swing arm assembly with 4 sleeves
Latch and latch plate
1 gas strut with ball stud
2 stoppers

Double swing out bumper- kit $995 Welded and
finished $1495
1 main bumper shell
2 sides
2 side top tubes
2 d-ring points
towing crossmember
receiver
2 large spindle assemblies
2 swing arm assemblies with sleeves
Latch and latch plate
2 gas struts with ball studs
3 stoppers

15. Accessories
Tire holder- kit $125 Welded and finished $225
Swing out clamp bracket
Main upright
2 gussets
side clamps
top cap
3 hole tire holder
square tube receiver
3 wheel studs
3 lug nuts
Hardware

One, two or three gas can- kit $195 Welded and
finished $395
Swing out clamp bracket
Main upright
2 base gussets
2 tubing hoops
tube spreaders
bottom plates
2 basket gussets
License plate bracket
Hi-lift bracket with standoff

Ladder #1 – kit $150 Welded and finished $350
Swing out clamp bracket
2 Base tubes
2 rungs
Hi-lift bracket with standoff

Ladder #2- kit $175 Welded and finished $375
The first rung on this ladder is sleeved just
like the swing arms for a third accessory like
gas cans or a cooler. It can be removed for
regular access to the ladder.
Swing out clamp bracket
Main hoop- long, you cut
1 round rung
1 square sleeved rung
Hi-lift bracket with standoff

Cooler basket- kit $225 Welded and finished $425
Swing out clamp bracket
Main upright
2 base gussets
2 tubing hoops your supplied dimensions
tube spreaders
bottom plates
2 basket gussets
License plate bracket
Hi-lift bracket with standoff

ARB fridge basket- kit $225 Welded and finished $425
Swing out clamp bracket
Main upright
2 base gussets
2 tubing hoops
tube spreaders
bottom plates
2 basket gussets
License plate bracket
Hi-lift bracket with standoff

Bicycle rack, 2 bikes- kit $195 Welded and
finished $295
Swing out clamp bracket
Main upright
2 base gussets
Rear tire plates
Rear tire plate crossmember
Rear tire hold down straps
2 skewer tubes
2 skewers
Safety hook
Top cap
Logo plate

16. Separate bumper parts
*Main Shell- Formed and plasma cut bumper shells
for FJ80 and FJ60 $185
*Uncut formed main shells 72” wide- $125
*Formed laser cut side skid plates- $125 ea.
*HD Spindle assemblies- $95 ea.
*Swing out assemblies- HD spindle assembly,
sleeved swing arm with gas shock, ball studs and
stops - $225 ea.
*Accessory bracket clamp- $25
*Towing receiver- $25
*D-ring tow points- $30 ea.
*Hi-lift bracket- $25
*License plate bracket- $10
*De-sta-co 4000 lb. Latch and latch plate- $95
*Gas struts 120 lb. $25 ea.
*Ball studs $2.50
* 6" or 8" Gusset $9

*Accessory carrier retrofit sleeve/clamp kit- $29


*Using our retrofit sleeve and clamp kit our
detachable accessory system can be retrofitted
for use with any other rear bumper system with a
2” swing arm (ie. Kaymar, Slee, Man-a-fre, etc.)
 
~ 180 lbs with the swing out and tire carrier
 
Nice, Thanks:beer:
What about this chunk of metal? Anyone ever take a minute to weigh it? I always hang an extra 300lbs off the back so I like the idea of light weight and even though most want bolt on I think the additional mods seem to add a little value in the long run, if done correct anyway.
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Do you plan on powder coating it? Did you get 1 or 2 swing outs?

But of course and it will have two swingouts.

the receiver hitch didn't fit in the bumper hole requiring some grinding.

We ground all of the exposed welds smooth, this was the most time consuming, dirty part. My advice is start with a very aggressive stone, I snagged some 4 grit wheels from one of my foundry customers, made quick work of the first pass!

We hit the welds with the 4 grit, just knocking down the high stuff, then filled any low spots with additional weld and knocked it down again. Changed to a 24 grit stone and started blending, rounding, moved to 24, then 50 grit resin fiber disks and finished it off with 80 grit on a DA sander. Very happy with the result.

Yeah, it's been a long day. I wish I owned a better sander:frown:. My receiver doesn't fit through the hole either.

Mine is the poverty pack, plain bar, so wasn't happy with the gap between the bumper and bottom of the tailgate, allowing a view of the trucks underwear. Also with the welding heat the flat top of the shell warped up, causing the gap to be noticeably uneven. We fixed it by using a board on top and a big c-clamp in the receiver hole to push the shell straight, then tacking a strip of 1-1/4x1/8" cold rolled steel along the edge of the cross bar shell.

Yeah, I like the look of that. I think I'll be doing the same

~ 180 lbs with the swing out and tire carrier

Actually it's not quite that much. I got some steering parts too and everything weighed 160 pounds. I will say that I had no desire to carry the bumper itself to my welding table after I'd tacked it together though.
 
Dont forget to also weight the stock spare carrier and the stupid spare winch too.

So

1. Stock bumperettes and the cover over the crossmember.
2. Rear crossmember.
3. Stock Spare Rack.

Add all that up and subtract it from the weight of your bumper...

Oh and regarding welding. I am going to TIG the outside joints since I can seperately control filler and heat and it is a fn strong process too. It also is pretty when you walk the cup just right. I wont have any big fat weld lines on the outside of it.

On the backside (hidden welds) I will use the MIG. Nice fillets adding strength to the corners.

Here is a quick how to by 4x4labs

http://www.4x4labs.com/gallery/bumperbuild

Um Luke Expect a single swing order next friday.
 
I don't think it weighs 180, cause when I didn't have any help around I picked it up and set it on the rig by my myself. F-in heavy, but not 180.

I didn't weigh the pieces being removed or the pieces being added, but I did measure ride height. I lost 1/4" of rear height when it was all said and done. Thats the bumper with 2 swingouts, tire carrier and 2 can holder.
 
How did it go this weekend?
 

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