Process to replace rusted rear bumper support with pics.

$9 Rust-Oleum 248658 Rust Reformer Spray, 10.25 oz, Black

Rustoleum Rust Reformer

It turned out fantastic. Except that I ended up having to replace the support bar...

Anyway, the paint cheap, it’s flat black and it covered the grinded and sanded hitch really well. As soon as winter is officially over here, I’m gonna crawl back under there and touch up anything that needs it.

 

Thread revival for a question:

Are the bolts I've highlighted part number 90119-A0192? Those are the ones that thread into the welded nuts on the frame right? I want to replace those when my HC Rear gets back from powdercoat but I'm strugging to find the right part number.

 

Yes it looks like those bolts are all the same part number. Some have just been painted.

 

Looks good OP, I’ll be doing mine soon in the near future.

 

Yeah my UCAs were rusted through. I replaced them last year. Really should have done more when they replaced the frame. That looks good under there @eherlihy

I replaced my spare with a regular Taco wheel, as it was so rusted, it looked like it was no longer stable, and the tire was from 2005! Not exactly safe.

 

Crap, I por15'd my frame but never thought to inspect the bumper support. Just gave it a quick glance. I'll have to give it a good once over

 

Are the bumper supports different on trucks that came with a factory hitch vs without? My hitch is very rusted and I planned to replace the hitch with an aftermarket one, and get the bumper support brackets ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bumper-Bra...m=371671456795&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 )since no aftermarket hitches incorporate side plates to bolt to the frame as well as the bumper.

 

You’ll definitely need the support brackets in order to put the bumper back on without the factory hitch. I learned that when I took my hitch off to grind down the rust and repaint it...

But the bumper support should be the same regardless if you have the factory hitch or not.

 

Hey there, wondering if the bumper reinforcement bar supports the trailer hitch in any way. I replaced my rear bumper with an off road steel bumper. Manufacturer said to get rid of the number reinforcement for fitment and it was rotted anyway. Curious how confident I should feel towing my boat now or if I’ve rendered the oem tow hitch to be less useful. Thanks!

 

I just pulled off my bumper to replace the outer “shell” and found out that the reinforcement beam is a rusted mess. It’s a horrible design—holes on top that let water in, no holes on the bottom to let water out. I’m going to de-rust the interior of the beam by taping the holes and pouring in some Klean Strip, a metal etcher. Once the rust is converted, I’ll seal off the top holes and drill drain holes in the bottom. I’ll add pics….

 

Bumper reinforcement prepped and painted. Fasteners after a night in the Klean Strip bath. Some of the rest from inside the reinforcement.