Custom Rear Bumper Pics Thread

[Whitey]

Nice.
What's the reasoning behing having multiple hitch mounts?

[corax]

Nice.
What's the reasoning behing having multiple hitch mounts?

1 for towing, 1 for the recovery shackle? Silly Chevy drivers

Looks like the lower hitch is there to help protect the gas tank.

[CJM]

I would say nifty design, but once you lower the thing it TOTALLY blocks your tailgate.

[Seanz0rz]

id strongly recommend against the swing down carriers. i have my hitch carrier and i hate it when im using the cargo door alot (hauling groceries, tools, etc)

[Good Times]

My first design for the rear tire carrier was a swing down. The biggest drawback was the sheer weight of trying to lift a 35" tire back up. Also with the swing down design it really takes away the easy accessibility to the cabin from the rear.

[corax]

I would say nifty design, but once you lower the thing it TOTALLY blocks your tailgate.

id strongly recommend against the swing down carriers. i have my hitch carrier and i hate it when im using the cargo door alot (hauling groceries, tools, etc)

I never really run around with the tailgate down anyway. My thought was to offset the tire to the driver side so my "over-the-shoulder vision" isn't blocked, and I can still get into the back through the window (I don't go into the back much anyway, but it might hamper sleeping in the back - didn't think of that). For removability, with the 5/8" Delrin hinges I could just use a standard receiver hitch pin to attach the hinge to the bumper tabs.

Good points though, thanks. I'll have to spend some time with a measuring tape and figure out how far I can actually offset it and if it would allow me to still get in/out through the window (don't plan on ever going bigger than 33" - maybe keep the passenger side brace tight to the tailgate?). My problem with swingouts is how to securely/neatly mount the upper hinge and how to limit the swing/make it lock open (just don't like many of the ideas I've seen)


Here's one other design I was thinking of emulating, from The Red Chili - except his upper hinge also u-bolts to the roll bar, probably just keep the upper hinge lower to the bumper



This one was also a neat idea (from Addicted Off Road - thread from that other site) & having the hinge horizontal would spread out the torsional load, but I'm not sure it's more than just a novel idea (still issues with getting in/out the back anyway)

[CJM]

I like the last picture the best, design overall looks quit stable. I would offset it and figure out a MUCH better way to secure it.

[troyboy162]

yea that last design is nice and simple. if the tire were offset behind the driver as much as it could be and swung out to the driver side, you could get some leverage with the lower bar to help lift it up. i like that the weight of the tire will hold it open for you if your parked on level ground.

[Whitey]

It has a piston on it to help lift and hold it up.

[04 Rocko Taco]

True enough Corax, if you were to emulate that last design from addicted off road, and offset the tire to the hinged side.... it would help hold it open on level ground, and would also aid in the leverage of having to lift a tire/wheel combo along with that steel.
Although instead of swing up and over, could you not make it a swing out, and use some of those hydraulic rams like hatchbacks have on the hatch to help hold it open?