I don't see a lot of people running swing-outs on their rear bumper upgrades.

With any luck my 2022 OR will be here this week. I have been looking at different upgrade paths and after looking at tons of threads on here, I've noticed that running a swing out is fairly uncommon from what I've seen. I am coming from a 3rd gen 4runner where it is more common to run swing out spares due to the fact that even 33s are a bit too much for the stock location. I understand that you can get away with running a 33" spare in the stock Taco location, but any bigger and you have some decisions to make.

I am probably not going full potato on this build. My 4runner is fully armored and on 35s. The new truck will more than likely end up on 33s with a lift and sliders to start, then front and rear bumpers. It seems like all the cool rear bumpers are high-clearance and require cutting the bed. There are a few exceptions. Leaning towards one of the two options from At The Helm, or maybe the Relentless option.

https://athfab.com/product/2016-toyota-tacoma-high-clearance-rear-bumper/
https://athfab.com/product/2016-toyota-tacoma-standard-rear-bumper/
or
https://www.relentlessfabrication.c...oducts/2016-tacoma-high-clearance-rear-bumper

I like these two companies the best out of what I have looked at. But, it seems that most that are even running these options, are not running a swing-out.

Are most that are running 33"+ tires just tossing the spare in the bed and calling it a day?

 

if your not gonna get a camper i would just put it in the bed

 

Interesting that you bring this up. I have a fully armored up rig on 33s w/ front & rear bumpers, winch, full RCI steel skid package, Diamondback HD, etc. My rear is a Mobtown high clearance swingout. Obviously my rig is heavy AF. The swingout is also really heavy and with two full gas cans & the spare, I can really feel all the combined weight. In the end, I have decided to remove the swingout for daily driving, local trails, etc. I only put on the swingout if I'm out in the boonies and worried about gas basically. It's one big bolt to take it off, but kind of a bear to store in the garage. Below is a pic with it on (don't mind the red arrows/text, that was a photo for my insurance company documenting my mods). Second picture is how it looks with it off. Oddly enough I prefer the look of no swingout as well, feel like its better proportioned.

 

I think I will probably stick with 33s, so I can get away with the stock location for the most part. However.. The stock located spare looks really low if you end up going with a high-clearance bumper. I'd think I'd be more comfortable with a spare in the back if I HAD a cap (Smartcap / Alu-Cab), so that it doesn't walk away. Otherwise, if I was throwing it in the back, I might take it out for DD and just throw it back in for trails.

Nice setup! I think in your situation, it is nice having the option to take it on and off, but keep it off for DD duties. I would be tempted to do the same. At least order it with the swing and add it if needed down the line. But I like the simplicity and the lines of the rear without the swing. I mean, I think the situation changes a bit if you plan on going larger than 33" tires AND you intend on using your bed for anything besides your spare.

 

Yea good observation. Being able to fit the 33" spare under the truck is key

 

Does anyone know what size and type of bearings are in the Mobtown high clearance rear bumper swingout 'hinge' ? I need to replace mine.

Thanks

 

It’s too bad what happened to Mobtown, they were a good company until the end when they hurt people. I really like my full steel armor they made on my truck, it’s given me a lot more leeway to access some trails I would never have attempted naked bottom before. I considered a high clearance bumper like yours also, but opted to get a Rigd swingout and just keep the stock one to save some weight - besides I have to remove the swingout when we tow our trailer. One thing I noticed on your truck- why keep the low hanging exhaust pipe end like that as you
Have a high clearance bumper? I pinched mine once and tore off the right bumper cap while coming off a ledge. Had I had a high clearance bumper like yours, it would’ve not been damaged but the exhaust pipe would still have been pinched. That’s why I bobbed mine and really feel it was an improvement. Some people cut theirs off at the down turn above the rear axle, but I have good clearance by cutting just past the rear hanger so the end is still supported and also put a basic downspout tip from O’Riley’s.

 

I did do the exhaust reroute underneath, so I get better clearance with the RCI skids.

With regards to the exhaust pipe, I bought the TRD exhaust and intake early on, and I just don't have the heart to cut it off. I like the sounds and looks of it. Also I thought I would end up doing a lot more aggressive off roading, but that hasn't really panned out. Turns out I didn't need all the high clearance stuff like I thought I would. If I had to do it over again, I would have done exactly what you did and just kept the stock rear bumper on.

My buddy has a Razr and I found I prefer taking that out and tackling the tough stuff. Just so much more nimble and fun vs my taco which feels like a slumbering beast, even with a stage IV Fox 2.5 suspension setup.

 

I have an rci high clearance. But I couldn’t really get my 5th wheel under the truck. The hitch takes up some space. Someone told me they did with theirs, same size and setup, but I just didn’t like it. 275/70/17, 32”. So, I had an excuse to get a Wilco off-road Tiregate. Rci bumper is 20# more than stock. Wilco tiregate is like 160# heavier than the oem tailgate. But it looks good and functions well. My attempt at weight savings was squished with that one. Just chiming in on an old thread with some swing out options.