Rear High Clearance Bumper Build

I have started fabbing a rear HC bumper for the taco... My plan was to do a swingout with a 33 (probably a 35 sometime in the future) and 2x20L Scepter MFC. I have a Summit machined spindle coming in the mail, but I am concerned of all the weight on a single swingarm, and am considering going with duals.

Can anyone chime in who has 2 cans on their swingout??

Main body is a 4x4x1/4 hopefully have the mounts and recovery points finished today....


Obviously the sides havent been cut to legnth yet. Waiting on my spindle to come.

 

My plan is to bolt the recovery point to the mounting plate with a couple 5/8 grade 8 bolts. The way I have the mounting plate sitting inside the 4x4, it would be impossible to weld the recover point while inside the tube, or if I welded it first, I couldn't get the recovery point through the hole in the front of the bumper without making it quite large because of the "keylock" design.

Ill get the other one drilled out and hopefully get them welded in today.

 

Looking good! Subbed to watch the progress.

 

Sub'd, you have some very cool design features going on there.

 

I've built a couple of off road capable Jeep bumpers and I like what you're doing. On my last build I put one 5 gallon gas can (30#), one 5 gallon water can (40#), Hi Lift jack (25#), and a 33" (75#) spare on the swing out. 180 to 200 pounds when everything is accounted for. There are a couple of problems with that arrangement.

• When the swing arm is open to 90 degrees it wants to twist off the frame. I accounted for that by reinforcing the frame.
• All of that weight bends the swing arm. On my bumper the difference loaded with gas vs empty was about 3/8". Depending on the closure method that may or may not be an issue.
• On mine the whole thing wanted to rock back and forth. That was mostly because the jeep's layout forced the weight up high.
• When you open the swing arm you've got to control it so it doesn't swing out of control. Ideally there would be a way to lock it open.

If I was going to build another bumper with gas cans on it I'd look for a way to mount them lower. That said it still worked pretty well.

 

Havent had alot of time to work on this in the last few days, but got a few things done.

Got the recovery points drilled and welded in. I changed my desig a little and as it turned out I had plenty of room to weld them front and rear, so the 5/8 bolts were really redundant, but I had already drill pressed the holes.. no matter.



Got my main mounting plates welded in. Definitely not my best welding, but it was pretty awkward welding inside the 4x4. This is only my 2nd metalwork project really.


Spindle came in the mail... this thing is extremely beef! Just to give an idea of scale, thats a 35mm axlenut socket beside it lol. I pounded the bearing races in and got it ready to go.

Laying the swingout out

 

Sweet man! I'll be building a couple rear bumpers here real soon...

So far yours is awesome!

 

I want to build a swingout really bad. But I don't want it high clearance to the point where I chop the panels. I want one that just takes the place of stock with no trimming. With a simple swing out with tire carrier, sceptor can holders, and probably a highlift mount.

 

Worst case if you rip one of the tow points out you got another one and the hitch if both fail, but it looks pretty damn stout.

 

On the swing out latch, make sure it is completely captured. Otherwise with all the weight it will make some god awful noises on bumps and on the trail. Synergy suspension makes an interesting latch that looks like it would work well.

 

Yes, rattling will be a concern. I saw the synergy suspension latch, and really, really like it, but I had a couple concerns over the standard ubolt latch. I have no experience with the latch personally, so I could be wrong on all accounts, just my observations. My truck is used and abused regularly offroad and fast travel on washboards etc. This wont be just for looks lol

1- it latches onto a piece of round stock that you weld onto the swingout. Because its round, it wont eliminate any forward/backward torsion as you go over bumps on the trail, I imagine the runnd stock rotating within the latch. This would add alot more stress onto the spindle as well. With a square tube latched securely to the bumper itself, it would seem to have less forward backwards movement, probably less rattling.

2- it seems like it latches closed, but doesnt grab the stock very hard. I am worried about it rattling.

Maybe someone who is using the synergy latch can chimee in and prove me wrong??? I know Mr Grimm has one on his custom swingout. I already ordred a standard ubolt latch, but it is still plenty early to go to another design if it is better.

 

Thanks forthecomment, there is no way they will rip out now. They are welded directly to the mounting plates and through the front face. Ontop of all that I can leave the grade 8 bolts in I was originally planning on using instead of welding the backside lol

I really want to keep working on the bumpe this weekkend, but I am heading out of town. Will update in a few days

 

Sweet! I watched your build for your original front... I really liked the design. Great job btw, It really helped motivate me to do my own front. Build is located here:http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7308764

Looking forward to seeing your progress on your new designs!

 

Nothing wrong with a standard u-bolt latch, snug and strong.

 

Your front end came out killer! I'm really excited to see how this rear your building turns out!

 

What kind of welder do you have? I would like to do some projects of my own but I don't know anything about welding.

 

Its a Lincoln sp175 plus. Great little welder. It does need 220v, you will have a hard time welding anything above 1/8 on 110. I also have gas setup... I am using 100% Co2. 1/4 plate is pretty much the limit of this setup to get really good penetration. It will weld alot thicker, but wouldnt want it to be structural.

Its my first welder, my advice would be to buy the biggest welder you can afford, as you will outgrow you welder you "just bought to learn on" Go big, you wont be disappointed

 

I really like that front bumper. Feel free to weld up another and send it my way

 

Got a few more things done. Progress is slow but surely moving forward.

Did some CAD work (Cardboard Aided Design lol) Mocked up the wrap around sides and got the holes drilled for the spindles. There is gunna be alot of pieces to cut out! Lol

Still have to finish the mounting brackets before I start putting the sides together I think.

I think.