Bumper with swing out or no?

[mkitchen]

I like the swing-out.

I guess after spending that much on a bumper and tire/can carrier, a fellow would have to say that. But I really am happy with my new set up. I have been doing without since I bought the Taco, new, in 06. My policy is not to buy anything until there is a recognized need and then save up and get it. I have a fiberglass bed cover so there is little room in the bed and none for a spare. I have dragged the spare over the rocks many times without damage but I was concerned about getting to it when that situation comes up (as it has in the past in other trucks) where I am going to need to get to the spare and it is going to be buried under a truck that is buried too.

I have also torn my trailer plug off four times and was getting tired of replacing it. I could have just drilled out the bumper, by the licence plate and re-mounted the plug there but then I still had the problem of the spare under the bed. So I bought a bumper and carrier from CBI and have been very happy since and my departure angle is much better. With a 122" wheelbase, front and rear overhang can and will be a problem.

In years gone by, we used to pull the tire our right away when we got a new ranch truck and put it in the bed or mounted it on the front bumper but now that I live in Arizona, I don't want to restrict my air to the radiator. Plus that is a lot of weight on the front and a lot of vehicles have winches already on the front.

My Taco has heavier springs front and rear and the extra weight on the bumper has not affected the height at all. I am not sure how much weight was added since the spare was already behind the rear axle in it's stock location so just the weight of the heavier bumper/mount and a fuel can if added. As I stated earlier, I am happy with my upgrade.
Mikey

 

[grntrdtaco]

if you have the money go for it. i just finished building mine and i love it. i have a 25gal aux tank under the bed (i never put more than 15 in it) and the tire on the back with 2 cans of water and my hilift. nice to never have to keep the jerry cans in the bed, they take up a ton of space and i never have to haul out a heavy can of water, its always accessible on the back now. the swingout has a gas shock that holds it open and closed and i have a padlock to keep the gate locked when driving/parked.

i put together a 4x4labs.com kit single swingout with ladder and 2 jerry can holder attached to the ladder. i am building a single can holder this weekend (the can holders bolt to the ladder) and i have a dual bike mounting system for the ladder as well. lots of options. i bought the basic land crusier shell and single swingout and made everything else myself. i think he has tacoma kits now

the kits are extremely well made and unbelievably easy to weld together.

also the whole not being able to get to the tire under the bed excuse can be remedied by a simple 30$ addition to your hilift jack (the lift mate)

 

[Box Rocket]

Departure angle can definitely be a factor, but something else I'll throw out there as a point of concern is the amount of leverage on the very back end of the truck. Before I explain further I'll say that I like a swing out tire carrier. I have one on my FZJ80 and I had one on my FJ40, and now I'm debating adding one to my '03 doublecab. I like them for the easy access to the spare, and for the space that is opened up under the truck. I carry spare driveshaft and axle shafts under the back end of my FJZ80. An Air or Water tank would fit great under the back of a Tacoma.

Now back to my concern about leverage. I won't get into the stress it puts on the rear of the frame, but that might be something worth addressing. Much will depend on the type of offroading that you do. When I would get into the rocks with my FJ40 or my FZJ80 or on steep climbs, I had a harder time on some obstacles with that extra weight hanging off the back of the truck. On both cruisers I had chances to run some of the same obstacles without the spare on the back and it was easier every time without the spare on the back of the truck. Maybe it was partly just the extra weight, but I'm fairly certain that it had more to do with the overall balance of the truck without the extra weight of the tire carrier and the heavy spare on the back.

All that being said, I'm probably going to still build one for my Tacoma.

 

[TangoBlue]

Departure angle - meh... space for an auxiliary fuel tank - whatever... security - you seriously don't sleep with your truck?

I say go for it; how else will you be able to mount your TRASHAROO?

 

[rsbmg]

Great comments so far. As with anything there are always pluses and minuses just gotta take it all in. I like having the comments to help weigh my decsion, keep em coming!

 

[matt s]

As long as you are running an open bed I think the hinderances both in convenience and weight distribution of a swing out don't add up. Mounting the spare in front or behind a wheel well in the bed seems like a better idea, or perhaps at the head of the bed. Fuel can be easily secured in the bed and all of it would cost way less than a new swing out setup. The other factor to consider is using the truck as a truck. You know like hauling lumber with the tailgate down or other scenarios where a swing gate would be a big PITA.

Now the moment you run a camper or shell or other set up that precludes the carry of the spare in the bed, then the gate makes sense. I run one on my k5, but never did on my pickup.

 

[RR1]

Shamelessly stole a picture from another thread....good looking truck too, never liked the gold, but it works on this truck....anywho!:elkgrin:


Spare in stock location....marginal departure angle gain at beast.

 

[Box Rocket]

Departure angle - meh... space for an auxiliary fuel tank - whatever... security - you seriously don't sleep with your truck?

I say go for it; how else will you be able to mount your TRASHAROO?

Actually a decent point if you have a Trasharoo. I have one but can't use it on my Tacoma. Works on the cruiser though.

 

[rsbmg]

I'm not at a point where I need to make a decsion. I'm totally good with the stock set-up but I'm trying to plan the build out as best as I can so I'm not duplicating work or doing things one way only to find out it was a waste because I shoulda just done something else. I know these things are a work in progress but a good plan up front will minimize wasted money down the road.

 

[sk8rjess]

Departure angle - meh... space for an auxiliary fuel tank - whatever... security - you seriously don't sleep with your truck?

I say go for it; how else will you be able to mount your TRASHAROO?

the trasharoo comment made this post golden lol.

just to throw my $.02 out there, go for it. everyone has listed the pros and cons so now it's up to you to make the decision. i have one on my to build list, but a couple things are before it - mainly a new welder

 

[TangoBlue]

I'm not at a point where I need to make a decsion. I'm totally good with the stock set-up but I'm trying to plan the build out as best as I can so I'm not duplicating work or doing things one way only to find out it was a waste because I shoulda just done something else. I know these things are a work in progress but a good plan up front will minimize wasted money down the road.

You nailed it. Build your plan before you build-up your truck.

 

[Youngunner]

Built my rear bumper. Double swingout with hinges in double shear. Also boxed the frame and this rig is solid!

Why I chose to make a swingout:

1) Accessibility to the tire. You don't see many true off road/expedition/race trucks, whatever, with the spare underneath the vehicle. Besides, it will absorb more force if you are rear ended (I guess that's a stretch, but hey, I have to make my case).
2) Intergrated hitch and recovery points without sacrificing departure.
3) Room for LOW PROFILE aux fuel cell, etc under the bed.
4) Something to hang the trasharoo and luggable loo from
5) Keeping explosive/combustible fuel fuels outside of the truck. I am also going to mount a propane cylinder on the bumper.
6) Something to climb on to access the roof and tent when setting up.
7) IT LOOKS COOL!!!!!!!

Bottom line... It's your truck, do what you want.


Custom frame! This usually voids any vehicle's warrantee, so keep that in mind!

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

Built my rear bumper. Double swingout with hinges in double shear. Also boxed the frame and this rig is solid!

Why I chose to make a swingout:

1) Accessibility to the tire. You don't see many true off road/expedition/race trucks, whatever, with the spare underneath the vehicle. Besides, it will absorb more force if you are rear ended (I guess that's a stretch, but hey, I have to make my case).
2) Intergrated hitch and recovery points without sacrificing departure.
3) Room for LOW PROFILE aux fuel cell, etc under the bed.
4) Something to hang the trasharoo and luggable loo from
5) Keeping explosive/combustible fuel fuels outside of the truck. I am also going to mount a propane cylinder on the bumper.
6) Something to climb on to access the roof and tent when setting up.
7) IT LOOKS COOL!!!!!!!

Bottom line... It's your truck, do what you want.


Custom frame! This usually voids any vehicle's warrantee, so keep that in mind!

Do you have any more photos of your canopy/truck you can share? Also, what brand of canopy is that in the photo?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've not felt like I've needed one on either of my Tacomas, a full-size spare fits underneath and everything else that traditionally mounted on the bumper is easily and safely stored in the bed of the truck. In fact for my uses I found more con's than pro's, obviously each user will have their own needs and uses. If you run a 35" tire, sleep in the bed of your truck, need the extra storage, etc then a bumper/rack setup makes absolute sense. However I most definitely recommend some serious frame modifications be made, beyond the standard frame plates for the Tacoma. The modifications that Youndgunner has made are very wise if you plan to hang a lot of weight off of an already failure prone frame. As easy as the bed pulls off the Tacoma, take the extra steps to ensure you don't have a frame failure in the years to come. These trucks have frame issues, bed/cab contact, etc without several hundred pounds at the end of the frame...

 

[Youngunner]

The camper shell is a work in progress. Check it out...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/59025-Transforming-a-commerical-shell-into-an-expedtion-camper...