JPOR: re: Rear bumper

[Larry Soo <lars@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mark Bolton <bolton@cwnet.com> wrote:

>A while back there was some discussion about custom swing out rear =
>bumpers (some using axle spindles I think).  Does anyone have any =
>
>drawings or plans for one that will swing out and accomodate a 35" tire? =
>Preferably one that will be fairly sturdy and not allow the tire to =
>shake and won't require much mounting to the body or tailgate.  I'm =
>hoping to build one rather than pay $700 for a manufactured bumper.

I did the welding for Chris Waterman's bumper that uses a Ford spindle &
hub.  A couple of weeks ago I built one for Jonathan Yim's TJ, also using a
Ford spindle & hub for the hinge.

The main thing to watch out for is that you take great pains to avoid
distorting the hub.  I was being careful not to run very long beads so as
to avoid overheating the hub but it still distorted anyways.  The hinge
works fine but the lock-out hub's gears don't are binding so we can't lock
the carrier in an open position.  If I were to build another one, I would
probably use a trailer axle spindle since they're smaller.  The ability to
carry a spare lockout hub on the carrier is not big attraction for me.
It's a real PITA to trim the wheel stud flange off the hub.  Chris got a
shop to turn his down on a lathe.  I trimmed Jonathan's hub with a torch
and a grinder.  If you use a trailer spindle and the appropriate bearings,
you could easily make a hub from a piece of thick wall pipe that has the
appropriate I.D.  Another option is to skip the bearings and use a brass
(or was it bronze?) bushing instead.  Not sure how long that would last,
though.  I know one guy who was building bumpers and tire racks using these
bushings and he had to change them every now and then.

As for the strength of the hub, I stood on the end of Jonathan's tire rack
when it was fully open (I weight about 200 lbs) and it didn't deflect at
all.  We mounted the tire mount nice and high to provide a good departure
angle.  The 33" spare that's on it right now is easily handled by the rack.
 I also made a shelf that sits below and to the side of the tire.  This
shelf can support either a 5 gal gas can or a tall ammo box.  In the
future, we could build attachments so it can mount a chain saw or a ski
rack, too.  The license plate and backup lights will attach via a receiver
that goes through the centre of the spare tire.

And no, I don't have any pics of it. <g>  I suppose I could take some pics
the next time I see him.



...lars