Yesterday I started building a rear bumper/tire carrier today for the 4runner. The main base is 2x5" .180 wall square tubing. All the legs are .250 wall. I still plan on doing the wrap around ends and stuff too.
I went with the Rockstomper tire carrier hinge, but decided to try something different with it. I sleeved the bumper with 1.5" .120 wall tubing, welded top, bottom and inside, then slid the lower pin into it and welded it from the bottom only. I have three friends that have broken the hinge section from the vibration that these go through on a normal basis. I don't think its anything wrong with the Rockstomper hinge itself, but the fatigue the upper welded portion goes through when it gets welded to the bumper, so I figured a sleeve would allow it to disperse the load better. Time will tell.
It was getting dark, so I will get better pics of it as I move through for a good write-up.
Big John came over today and we knocked out almost the whole damn thing. But, we ran out of MIG wire right near the end. This bumper is sick IMO
My bitchin BTF clamp.........[][][][]