Swing out tire carriers, Rear crossmembers, rev111 OH MY!

Humboldt · 06-05-2009, 07:19 PM

This may be a bit wordy and I apologize in advance for the crappy pictures, I just came from the desert (with my camera) and its humid here. Anyway...

Ive had a big warn bumper with a 35" tire and steel rim on the back of the jeep for several years. Never really thought much of it but I don't trailer, and live off what I can fit in the back of the Jeep:

When I went out to the desert, I'd have a bunch of stuff in the back and the jeep would squat down in the rear pretty far. I just kinda accepted it and partially ignored the advise of some "savvy" people that the Warn needed to go

Since I put the Savvy Gas Skid on my thinking has shifted a bit. The only thing I really hit often in the rear is my bumper now. I guess the softness of hitting the stock skid use to mask the hits, but now its apparent that I can do something better than having that monstrosity back there. It also tells me I can do better on my departure angle.

Here's a measurement with the warn on the back: (22 1/8" from the ground to the bottom of the frame)

I pulled the bumper and tire off and the back end lifted up 1 1/8"!!!

SO the bumpers gone. I asked myself, "Self, what do you do now? There's just a 1/16" (or whatever) crossmember there now."

"We cut it out and build something cool!"

So, if you're still with me, this is where I'm looking for input. I plan to add some shape to a section of 3/16" 2" x 5" square tube to replace the crossmember welded to the frame ends.

I picked 2x5 so I can remove the 1 inch body lift spacers, and run the stock body mounts. May as well incorporate them.

2 shackle mounts will be added, run through the face of the cross member, and welded to the frame on the outboard sides for recovery.

The mounting face for the gas skid will be moved up as far as possible to leave ~1/4" clearance on top of the tank from the tub to maximize clearance on the rear of the skid.

Lastly, I have a full REV111 kit. When I ordered it, they sent me the LJ side steps by accident. When I called them, they were going out of business, and just sent me the correct TJ steps. I was told to keep or sell the LJ sliders. Guess what?

Here's my mock up on some thin stuff...

Tomorrow i'm going to pick up some 3/16 2x5" and start playing with shapes. Any input is more than welcome

emayer32 · 06-05-2009, 07:22 PM

you guys must have some sick tools to make these awesome bumpers and tire carriers

Humboldt · 06-05-2009, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emayer32

you guys must have some sick tools to make these awesome bumpers and tire carriers

lol, not hardly. I have an assortment of grinders, an air compressor with some cutting tools and a welder.

Anyway, some of the things I'm thinking of doing are:

2" back up lights sunk in so I can do the cheap 4" flush mounted lights in the tub

Cut a bottle opener slot into it (Blue torch fabworks made me think of doing that)

It wont be quite flush with the tub. Im thinking 1/2" out so its an actual bumper of sorts.
Maybe a tow hitch....

I dunno...anyone else ever do anything like this and want to add to the creativity?

Humboldt · 06-06-2009, 01:15 AM

Yes, that's dora the explorer in the background. She rocks. (3 Girls here lol)

**BESRK** · 06-06-2009, 06:46 AM

If you cut any holes in the bumper (2"x5" tube right?), you'll want to make sure you can seal the holes.. otherwise, it will fill up with rain water. Even if you use rubber grommets for the lights, water can still seep in and accumulate.

Humboldt · 06-06-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BESRK

If you cut any holes in the bumper (2"x5" tube right?), you'll want to make sure you can seal the holes.. otherwise, it will fill up with rain water. Even if you use rubber grommets for the lights, water can still seep in and accumulate.

Noted. Thanks for that.

**Imped** · 06-06-2009, 09:50 AM

Sweet! I can't wait to see what happens.

Greg_Volkman · 06-06-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Humboldt

Noted. Thanks for that.

you can just drill some small drain holes in the bottom of the bumper at the lowest point...that's what I did. i also primed/painted the inside of the bumper as best i could.

I am thinking of selling this and going lighter, myself. I also have an EMP gas skid that is 63 lbs, add that to the engine skid, the RE skid...I am pretty heavy right now. :-(

Humboldt · 06-07-2009, 07:25 PM

I picked up my materials.

10' section of 2" x 6" 3/16" square tube and some 3/16" plate. (enough to make 2

)

100$ doesnt go too far at the steel yard

Humboldt · 07-07-2009, 03:32 PM

Finally got some work done on this. After many hours looking at the rear cross member and weighing that against my abilities, I decided that cutting out the rear crossmember is beyond me. So this is a bumper build now lol.

I didnt want 2" of box steel plus the tube step hanging off the back, so I sectioned an inch out of the center:

Then I cut it into a shape I liked:

Im pretty happy with the results so far. Still lots of grinding and welding to go.

Humboldt · 07-14-2009, 10:51 PM

Hopefully this doesn't get moved to the Fab section since this is related to TJs...

Anyway, I got the top welded up and the bottom and every thing bolted together with grade 8 hardware. Since I'm relatively retarded with fab work, I still have quite a bit more to go lol..but I have found that the investment in tools has made for some GREAT thinking time in the garage

I'm still not happy with the shape, so tomorrow I'm going to cut off the ends more rounded and finish boxing it in, like this:

Total weight is right around 35 lbs so far.

OH, and word to the wise, only rip an inch out of a 2x6 if you have alot of time on your hands or just like to hang out in the garage :P

**matsonian** · 07-29-2009, 05:05 PM

Nice build...

Soon MetalCloak will be working their rear bumper system... we just released the front bumper, have you seen it?

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f176/new-totally-freaking-awesome-metalcloak-stainless-xm-xtreme-modular-bumper-826887/#post7667416

th3br4d · 07-29-2009, 07:37 PM

What are you doing with the old Warn bumper?

**Imped** · 07-29-2009, 07:58 PM

Nice job so far. I'm planning on something similar. I took my 35" spare w/steel wheel off the back, along with the tire carrier, and my rear end came up 1"....WOW. I really like the rear end being lighter so I'm going to permantely lose the spare. Keep it coming...I'm watching closely.

Xaos88 · 07-29-2009, 08:50 PM

What did the warn weigh?
What are you doing about the spare?