2001 4x4 4runner build. At Molasses pace

[FurthurOnTheFly]

I need money to do that! :elkgrin::elkgrin:

I hear that! I'll be saving for that bumper for a loooong time!

 

[xcmountain80]

Nope. I want to keep my tire low. Its going to go in the stock location, but the bumper needs to be further out than stock to accommodate a full size spare.




I need money to do that! :elkgrin::elkgrin:

MY 295 fits in the stock location just fine, well OK not just fine it isn't aired up but I have on board air so that's not an issue. And it does rub the pan hard bar, but other than that it's fine. I Keep going back and forth "to rear tire carrier or not to rear tire carrier" while they look cool are the functional? I know Steve from Sonoran Steel went back to stock location for simplicity. If you can build a rear that maintains stock position of the spare and protects t by having raised (underside case "lower") slide rails this could be ok. I had fantisized about a spare fuel cell that would live in the spares location but sheesh the weight I already have plus a bumper plus rear mounted spare acting as a weighted pry bar and more fuel I dunno if the mpg's can lose any more not to mention power from all the extra crap. Irbis makes non TC (tire carrier) models now and I was thinking hard about it.

Aaron

 

[CYi5]

Some individuals who have gotten the rear carriers say it isn't worth the hassle and isn't that much better. It looks cramped underneath my truck with the stock size, I can't image a 295 under there! I think a rear bumper with swing outs for water and fuel with your spare underneath is the best solution imo.

 

[FourByLand]

Looks great Tim!

Can't wait to see the finished product and the new wheel and tire combo!

 

[xcmountain80]

I swear I'm not hijacking but heres what mine looks like and it will totally depend on the rear hitch you have as to what will fit under there.

Aaron

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

So here is my main concern about a rear tire carrier...what if you get into a situation out on the trail that you need to change your tire...and you are stuck in something or somewhere that the spare under your truck is obstructed by something...mud, rock, water, whatever. Wouldn't it be a hell of a lot easier to just pull it off the back of your rear bumper and be done with it? Maybe I've spent too much time in the FJ with that convenience but it seems worth it to me.

 

[JJackson]

So here is my main concern about a rear tire carrier...what if you get into a situation out on the trail that you need to change your tire...and you are stuck in something or somewhere that the spare under your truck is obstructed by something...mud, rock, water, whatever. Wouldn't it be a hell of a lot easier to just pull it off the back of your rear bumper and be done with it? Maybe I've spent too much time in the FJ with that convenience but it seems worth it to me.

Well hopefully it's the rear tire that is flat and you need to jack it up anyway. :ylsmoke:

 

[SOAZ]

No worries, your not hijacking at all. I did the deflated thing too. It rubbed less, but I just started hearing some noises when froading so I figured I'd just keep it inside to be safe. AND it made a great excuse to replace my dented and beat up rear bumper. :sombrero:

Heidi,
In so many thousands of miles of offroad racing and froading etc (I'm not saying I'm any stud, just giving a basis for my opinion that comes next),
and I've NEVER, in all that time had to change a tire or help someone else change one. I've plugged the crap out of a ton of tires though. Sometimes 5 in the sidewall just to get it to hold air. I would almost rather not carry a spare at all, but that would be less than smart. In fact it would almost certainly cause me to have a catostrophic flat.

Oh! hold that thought, I did see a guy change a flat one. Rock crawler guy and the sidewall cut was about 5 inches long. So there ya go.
All that brain vomit was just to say that I'm not worried about the tire being hard to get to. I'm in no hurry offroad, unless its a race. :elkgrin:

The bumper is done. It was a MMMMM. If someone asked me to build one I'd ask for double what the irbis one goes for. Seriously. It really is that much work. In the same time we cut out just under a hundred framing trusses for a local contractor. It was almost no effort and it paid better. Honestly, if your a fabricator, you must have a sick love of pain and being poor. Thats why my buddy whose house i build all of this stuff at sold his shop and now just build stuff for fun and extra cash. I'm just trying to say, if you see good quality fabrication, pay up and be happy you can. Building it sucks.


....it sure is rewarding though! Good times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :coffeedrink:

MY 295 fits in the stock location just fine, well OK not just fine it isn't aired up but I have on board air so that's not an issue. And it does rub the pan hard bar, but other than that it's fine. I Keep going back and forth "to rear tire carrier or not to rear tire carrier" while they look cool are the functional? I know Steve from Sonoran Steel went back to stock location for simplicity. If you can build a rear that maintains stock position of the spare and protects t by having raised (underside case "lower") slide rails this could be ok. I had fantisized about a spare fuel cell that would live in the spares location but sheesh the weight I already have plus a bumper plus rear mounted spare acting as a weighted pry bar and more fuel I dunno if the mpg's can lose any more not to mention power from all the extra crap. Irbis makes non TC (tire carrier) models now and I was thinking hard about it.

Aaron

 

[jeffryscott]

so, where are the pics? c'mon Tim :coffeedrink: Good deal that its done.

 

[xcmountain80]

Yep I had a local fab guy take a look at what I wanted and I told him what I could purchase one similar for and he just looked at me and said yep thats a deal. It would have cost almost double an Irbis bumper. I'm thinking of going a Irbis bumper with side protection and no tire carrier.

Aaron

 

[SOAZ]

metal etching primer.

 

[xcmountain80]

What kind of bike is in the back? BTW that looks freaking awesome, what are you planning for the plastic trim?

Aaron

 

[ttora4runner]

BTW that looks freaking awesome, what are you planning for the plastic trim?

Aaron

What he said. Sweet.

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Dang Tim- that bumper looks great! Any idea what the final weight in came out to be?

 

[MontanaBBQ]

That looks great!

I'm diggin' the black steel wheels too.