YotaFun's Rear Bumper Build

[YotaFun]

Yes, Its another bumper build thread.
However this one is not going to be complete till late summer.

Goal for bumper:
Improve Ground Clearance
Improve Departure Angle
Improve Protection
Have swing out to hold:
Spare Tire
Spare Fuel
Incorporate Stock Trailer Hitch

So pretty much just like any other rear bumper out there.

However I would like to start with the integration of the stock trailer hitch.
Why you may ask?
1) Cause its good
2) It is already there
3) I use it frequently

I don't like the idea of the rear bumper having the trail hitch built in.
I prefer how it is mounted now and building a bumper around it.
I know your thinking "like wtf?" but in my mind it makes sense.

My idea to bring the hitch up and out of the way is to flip the mounts.
The common practice would to just be flip the hitch but this way, i would be putting the hitch where the current bumper sits now if I flip the mounts.

Then from there I would start to build the bumper.

Here are some pics I took.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04452.jpg

See the mounts:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04454.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04455.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04456.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04457.jpg

I don't think I can turn the mounts around, I might have to build custom ones...

Also can anyone tell me what in the world this thing is?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04459.jpg
I can move it up and down:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04460.jpg
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04462.jpg

So lets discuss!

[4runfun]

what i did with my hitch is i cut about a half inch on each side, then rewelded it so it would fit on the top of my frame and welded it to the frame. then i built my bumper around that, i can send you pics if you want.

[YotaFun]

what i did with my hitch is i cut about a half inch on each side, then rewelded it so it would fit on the top of my frame and welded it to the frame. then i built my bumper around that, i can send you pics if you want.


would be cool if you could.
Trying to get different idea's here

[slosurfer]

Also can anyone tell me what in the world this thing is?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a2/Nighthief/4Runner/Rear%20Bumper%20Build/DSC04459.jpg


It's a dickfir.

[Scuba]

Arent those the things that are stuck into the frame to reduce oxidation/ rusting..?

[Nick]

That's something that they stick into the frame that's supposed to either reduce rust/or absorb it or whatnot/ I believe that's the general opinion.

[Scooter25]

That is what the rear hitch mounting bolts thread into. Basicly just a couple nuts welded on to some steel strap. A little easier than tacking nuts inside the frame a foot or so deep. You can actually pull it all the way out.

[YotaFun]

Interesting

[Lee]

for my rear bumper i cut the center part and used the arms upside down... made for perfect fitting mounting arms that were easier to mount

[YotaFun]

what i did with my hitch is i cut about a half inch on each side, then rewelded it so it would fit on the top of my frame and welded it to the frame. then i built my bumper around that, i can send you pics if you want.


I think I am going to go a similar route, since I found a gas tank to go in the back and need to cut out the cross member that holds the spare tire mount on so.

[troyboy162]

I think I am going to go a similar route, since I found a gas tank to go in the back and need to cut out the cross member that holds the spare tire mount on so.


figure out a way to get those lower drag links out of the way and ill love you forever. id like to relocate the gas tank too but id still hammer those stupid drag link mounts all the time.

[YotaFun]

figure out a way to get those lower drag links out of the way and ill love you forever. id like to relocate the gas tank too but id still hammer those stupid drag link mounts all the time.


Just gonna make skids for them, unless I do a custom 4 link in the rear, I think they are stuck there.
I know what you mean though, the truck seems to always land on them too....

[20005spd]

scooter25 is correct, the lil pieces of steel are welded on the nuts for the trailer hitch bolts so when they are tightened and loosened it hits the frame and lets the bolt thread in, instead of having nuts tacked to the inside of the frame.


the lower control arm mounts are there to stay, i say either bash them up to hell like me, weld skids onto them, or cut it all off and put leaf springs under it :D

[YotaFun]

the lower control arm mounts are there to stay, i say either bash them up to hell like me, weld skids onto them, or cut it all off and put leaf springs under it :D


Or do a custom 4-link
I am just hopping if I weld the cross member for the trailer hitch into the rear of the frame then the frame will be strong enough for me to remove teh cross member that the spare tire mounts on...

[20005spd]

our rear link systems work fine. i think a custom one is a waste of money

[YotaFun]

our rear link systems work fine. i think a custom one is a waste of money


lol no I agree lol
I was joking.
Sarcasm, you know haha yeah right like that would ever happen
I was just saying its another possibility

[YotaFun]

Hole-ie thread revival Batman (there is a pun in there)

So I never got around to building a bumper and now have a stock bumper that went from solid to Swiss Cheese to being held together by gorilla tape....

I have an my own Idea for the center section but when it comes to the wings I am at a loss, I was considering just keepin the stock wings but I have been driving the 4Runner more lately and just looking at it, I feel like if I am going to do this I want to do this right.

I remember eons ago a template for wings floating around, I believe it was based on BruceTS design, if someone could chime in on this, and if someone has a template to share I would be very grateful if you shared :-)

[Bandit Runner]

I've been selling rear bumper plans. Includes all necessary information for building a rear bumper, drawings, CAD files, materials list, and complete build instructions with pictures. This is the bumper, but I can customize it for flare width and body lift height.

PM me if you are interested.