Hello Every One
I finally had it with the range of my FJ. Coupled with the rear door bushings starting to mushroom out I decided it was time to have a new rear bumper with tire carrier. Ohhhh wait a minute....there are few options out there....none of which I truly liked. So I went to a couple fabrication company's all of which really liked my idea and one of them committed to build it and not charge me for the complete cost if they could have my Cruiser the extra time for testing and to create jigs for production. I thought that was fair so we agreed. I'm in no way affiliated with the company that makes these bumpers. So myself and this very talented fabricator Jay and one of the owners of Accurate Gauge Ltd. Here in Prince George, B.C., Canada started collaboratively working on a new rear FJ bumper with these points in mind:
• Had to create functionality through options such as fuel can carriers, high lift mount as well as axe & shovel mounts.
• Block as little of the back window as possible
• Be able to carry a tire up to 38” tall
• Must incorporate built in back up lights
• Could not block factory license plate location
• Single operation to open
• Had to increase departure angle over stock
• Had to have additional tow points
• Must look good and lines somewhat match popular front bumper designs out there already
• Must keep factory features like back up sensors and OEM receiver hitch
• Must be direct bolt on application
So here are some pix:
So the swing out itself is attached by to the bumper by a solid piece of chromoly and is boxed in snug against the frame and on the inside of the bumper its reinforced with a spider web type gusseting. It uses the whole corner to support it and it is very beefy. Even with two full 25 L fuel cans axe, shovel and high lift this swing out does not sag. The bushing is this crazy hard as glass plastic stuff....they say it is used for bushings on industrial forklifts that are used in lumber yards....requires no service. Pretty cool design. The swing out can be held open by a pin that drops in place.
Since the swing out is one piece and we wanted only one latch to bother with the swing out sits on a little nub on a piece of black plastic.
All in all I think it turned out pretty good. I'm very happy with it and absolutely no problems....not a squeak or rattle. The rear window still opens with all the gear loaded on and I sure noticed a difference in the cornering getting the high lift, axe & shovel off of the roof rack. Like I said I'm not affiliated with the company so if you want to know more you would have to contact them. However I could answer the odd question about the set up if you are wondering about some thing.
I finally had it with the range of my FJ. Coupled with the rear door bushings starting to mushroom out I decided it was time to have a new rear bumper with tire carrier. Ohhhh wait a minute....there are few options out there....none of which I truly liked. So I went to a couple fabrication company's all of which really liked my idea and one of them committed to build it and not charge me for the complete cost if they could have my Cruiser the extra time for testing and to create jigs for production. I thought that was fair so we agreed. I'm in no way affiliated with the company that makes these bumpers. So myself and this very talented fabricator Jay and one of the owners of Accurate Gauge Ltd. Here in Prince George, B.C., Canada started collaboratively working on a new rear FJ bumper with these points in mind:
• Had to create functionality through options such as fuel can carriers, high lift mount as well as axe & shovel mounts.
• Block as little of the back window as possible
• Be able to carry a tire up to 38” tall
• Must incorporate built in back up lights
• Could not block factory license plate location
• Single operation to open
• Had to increase departure angle over stock
• Had to have additional tow points
• Must look good and lines somewhat match popular front bumper designs out there already
• Must keep factory features like back up sensors and OEM receiver hitch
• Must be direct bolt on application
So here are some pix:
So the swing out itself is attached by to the bumper by a solid piece of chromoly and is boxed in snug against the frame and on the inside of the bumper its reinforced with a spider web type gusseting. It uses the whole corner to support it and it is very beefy. Even with two full 25 L fuel cans axe, shovel and high lift this swing out does not sag. The bushing is this crazy hard as glass plastic stuff....they say it is used for bushings on industrial forklifts that are used in lumber yards....requires no service. Pretty cool design. The swing out can be held open by a pin that drops in place.
Since the swing out is one piece and we wanted only one latch to bother with the swing out sits on a little nub on a piece of black plastic.
All in all I think it turned out pretty good. I'm very happy with it and absolutely no problems....not a squeak or rattle. The rear window still opens with all the gear loaded on and I sure noticed a difference in the cornering getting the high lift, axe & shovel off of the roof rack. Like I said I'm not affiliated with the company so if you want to know more you would have to contact them. However I could answer the odd question about the set up if you are wondering about some thing.
