Working on a new rear bumper, want your guys opinions

That's exactly what I am looking for! I looked on ebay but they didn't have anything exactly like that. For that price I'll definitely make the trip down.

 

If this helps - I know some manufacturers add the shackle mounts exactly where the frame mounts are. Kinda like this -


So the shackle mount is tied into the frame mount.

 

Oh wow that's really smart. That way if you use your shackle your pulling from your frame and not some flimsy metal. So in that case they will each be about 21" from the trailer hitch.

 

I like that idea as well. I see a lot that are a single piece and almost 1/2" thick.

 

^ Bingo! Less leverage on the bumper if it's inline or one with the frame mounts.

Exactly.


I didn't take many pictures of my hc rear before installation, but I found this which helps illustrate the side bar and the shackle mount.





Couple more pictures here if that helps - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...now-with-more-bs.543855/page-75#post-21077706

 

Definitely go with 1/2" plate for the frame mounts, and extend out of the bumper as recovery points (shackle mounts).

Unlike most front bumpers that just have a weld-on shackle mount, these would be single pieces and would be absolutely bomb proof.

 

Looks good! That's exactly what I was thinking for the side mounts. Looks like just square tubing.

 

Interesting idea, I hadn't thought about that but it would definitely strengthen everything up, especially when recovering. I'll need to see what our laser cutter can cut. If I can't do 1/2" plate it might end up being 4 1/8 pieces welded together haha.

 

I would actually suggest going from the side of the frame mounts to the side panels. That way, again, you're going direct to the frame (actually the frame mount near where it bolts to the frame). Looks like the above square tubing just goes from one part of the plate bumper to the side plates at a 45 degree.


Like on this trailgear bumper:
https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/trail...ogle_6629981909_81820343947__pla-670066724356

 

Pretty sure I've seen some pre-made mounting plates that are 1/2" inch. You might even be able to call up a place like Northwest Trail Innovations, as I'm pretty sure they use the 1/2" mounts. You might be able to just get the frame plates from them...

http://nwtrailinnovations.com/bumpe...mpers/1996-2004-toyota-tacoma-rear-bumper-kit

 

I did a piece of 3" angle, 1/4" thick coming off the end of each frame rail for my bumper. Allows for bolts on the side and bottom of the frame.

 

If you can't cut 1/2" let me know I can burn them out for you. You defiantly want to integrate the recovery point with the frame mounts.

 

So you're thinking take the side panel and make a mount that goes straight to the frame mount? Like this one?

Ill look around and see if I can find any, that would simplify everything. Sweet! I'll give them a call, hopefully they could at least point me in the right direction.

 

That would be sick, thank you! I'll let you know after I talk to our shop manager.

 

Yep, that's exactly what I'm talking about. I don't know how the clearance would end up working out, if you make the bumper too high, you might have to cut into the body panel, but probably not.

You got an offer from @JLee , might want to take him up on that. If you're in SoCal, he's going to be closer to you anyway.

 

That's a Coastal Offroad bumper, like mine. With adding a tire carrier, whichever side it hinges on, add another brace from that piece to the forward most corner of the bumper to add rigidity when you open and close the swing out. I ended up doing that on mine after seeing how much the bumper flexed on the hinge side. With the extra brace, no flex at all.

 

So I am going to try to redesign the tire swing out. As some of you have stated, keeping the tire as close to the truck as possible will put less stress on my bumper. Right now the swing out sits off of the bumper like this: (excuse my crude drawing, I am not on my desktop at home):


I am thinking of moving the swing out to this position:


I think the best way to do this would be to move the mount to very edge of the bumper (in the above pictures, moving it to the left side) and flipping it so the bolt holes are over the base. Moving it to that orientation would require the bolt go through the base of the bumper. Do you guys think that's a good idea? Or that getting under the truck to remove the bolt would be a problem? Having the bolt on the "inside" could also help with theft.

Sorry if that doesn't make sense, I can try to draw a picture if that will help.

 

Very interesting, knowing these things helps a lot with my design, thanks! So you had to add that one tube in there to keep it from flexing? How heavy is your tire?

 

Yeah, added just the one tube to the front corner. Spare is a 285/75x16, so whatever that weighs. I haven't checked.

 

Okay so not some huge 35-40" tire. Good to know something that small will twist it, I'll have to account for that.