Project: Waltzing Matilda

[fasteddy47]

Thanks Chas, I'm still playing with the idea of my own. As far as the "Wheel," the highlight of my day consisted of mounting a backpacking headlamp to my walker. It's an attempt to not wake up J- if I get up during the night. Yep, a walker. Surgery is awesome, don't believe anyone that says differently.

Ouch get better soon.....

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Ouch get better soon.....

Thanks, it's a total drag...

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

So, I finally decided on my rear bumper. Actually I decided a couple of months ago and booked a few days with the builder, but I didn't want to write anything before I had the finished product. I thought I scheduled it out far enough that I would be able to drive myself (Foot is still in a boot), but it didn't work out that way. What's the next best thing to driving yourself? Talking your father into an all expenses paid trip to the state next door. We used to take a lot of road trips together including throughout college and this seemed like a great time to catch up.

I wanted a bumper that was close fitting, provided superior protection and clean lines. I have always liked the lines of the CBI bumper for the Tacoma's. While talking to Redline (www.roadtraveler.net) one day I asked him if he was still pleased with his prototype 4Runner bumper from CBI of Idaho. He stated he was and gave it high remarks. He's had his for a long time and many miles. We also had another local friend that mounted a CBI on his 4Runner as well. Both of these guys use their stuff, so it seemed like another push towards CBI.

I made the first of what turned out to be a series of calls to CBI and spoke with Steve. Without a miss, every phone call or e-mail was answered with what seemed to be an enthusiastic answer to my questions. I told him i wanted a "Super sized Tacoma bumper" and that is exactly what the guys at CBI delivered. We drove to Idaho Falls on tuesday, secured a hotel room for the next three days along with a rental car and after reaffirming my want list, dropped the truck off for three very long days at the shop.

CBI goes full size...

I didn't want to spend the additional time in Idaho to wait for powder coating, so I took it home bare.

The propane basket can also double as a fire wood hauler, or an additional double can mount if needed. We kept the spare vertical to prevent it from hitting the camper and tying to keep the weight as close to the swing arm as possible. Because of the many intended uses of the propane basket I asked that there be no attachment to secure it. I will most likely use a ratchet strap. The can basket will fit either Scepter or Wedco's. The top security plate fits the Scepters better (He built it with my Scepters, I changed them out when I got home.).

Frame mounted side armor. You will notice that Steve cut the rear bed sides to aid in ground clearance. Also, those 255/85R16's (33") are looking small... I'm glad I asked for room on the swing out to fit a 35".

Corner detail.

Rear blade. Normally Steve leaves it open above the license plate, but he kept the top there to act as a step to egress the camper.

Under the license plate is a hidden receiver hitch.

I spec'd the back up light housings to be made for a pair of Vision X L.E.D. lights. They should fit nice and tight.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Continued...

CBI has started offering tables on a lot of their bumpers and it seems to be a pretty popular option. Since I have a full size truck and a full size Partner stove, I asked for a full size table (Their standard table would have cleared the three burner Partner with approximately one inch on each side). I also asked that the right portion of the table be left free of dimple dies, so that it can be used as a prep area. I have the hardware and cables, but I am not going to install those until after it gets back from the powder coater. That's why it's held in place with a ratchet strap.

You will also notice that the table is offset to the right to prevent the camper door from hitting it.

The last option I requested was an adjustable camp light. This is a super simple setup that should work well. I think I am going to put a Hella Matador there because it has the toggle switch on the light housing. I'd like an L.E.D. work light with a toggle, but I haven't found one yet.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Overall I'm very pleased with the bumper. Steve worked around the design requirements to fit the camper. i.e. the side armor could not extend past the fender flares because they would have interfered with the telescoping camper jacks and the position of the spindle. The rest of the bumper provides great protection without the unnecessary bulk that's so common on other full size truck offerings.

 

[locrwln]

Absolutely awesome. Glad to hear you made it back safe last night. The big pictures look much better than the ones on the phone last night. Some great design ideas on there. If I get to the point of a rear bumper, I might have to give CBI a chance to try a Chevy version.

Jack

 

[Dirty Harry]

The big pictures look much better than the ones on the phone last night.

I agree! That turned out killer, you should just clear coat it.

 

[Redline]

FANTASTIC! Love it.

I don't know squat about welding...but look at those welds!

If I was going to have another bumper built with a swing-away, or anything custom, I'd have to go visit Steve & CBI Off Road.

Nice posts and pictures too.

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Thanks guys. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Steve can really weld, there's no doubt about that. It's funny you say that Harry, before I left Idaho I told them I was going to powder coat it clear. When I said that to Nathan (One of the new owners) he laughed and said a welding inspector by trade came into the shop and said, "I see you guys tig your bumpers.". They kind of chuckled and said, "No, that's mig."

Knowing what I know now about the process, I would do it again in a heartbeat and I think that says a lot when one considers it a 1200 mile round trip. I didn't even write about my drivers side window exploding at mile marker 101 just outside of Idaho Falls, but that's another story.

 

[Chas Stricker]

Now that is a well built bumper. I'd like to check it out in person. Let me know when......
Chas

 

[Dirty Harry]

When I said that to Nathan (One of the new owners) he laughed and said a welding inspector by trade came into the shop and said, "I see you guys tig your bumpers.". They kind of chuckled and said, "No, that's mig."

That guy needs to find a new job (or I should be a welding inspector). They are nice but they don't look at all like TIG welds to me...

So are you going to coat it clear???

 

[herm]

Looks amazing! When i start plans for the new camper, cbi will get a call. I love the low bulk design and would love a front in similar style. I cant got past the crazyness of most of the full size front and rear bumpers.

 

[Jimmeh]

This is an awesome build so far, and I love that rear bumper! A guy I work with and I are going to design a rear bumper for my truck here soon, so I may have to show him these pictures for an idea on the swing away tire carrier.

 

[continentaldrifter]

Very nice work, but how would you remove the camper if needed?

 

[24HOURSOFNEVADA]

Very nice work, but how would you remove the camper if needed?

Thanks, first, the spindle is out of the way of the camper (If it doesn't look like it in the photo's it's a bad angle). Secondly, the swing out itself sits on the spindle and all that's required to remove the swing out is the removal of two bolts and one small allen set screw. You can then lift the swing arm off the spindle. The final consideration was given to the side wings/protection. They sit flush with the flare of the fenders eliminating possible contact with the camper jacks.

In theory it should be easy to remove the swing out. I say in theory because I haven't done it yet, but need to for powder coating (Still undecided on black vs. clear). I've had a couple other bumpers with swing outs and they have all been fairly painless to remove. I also know of a few guys that only run their swing arms while they are on trips and it seems to work well for them. It will probably take longer to put the camper jacks on than it will to remove the swing out.

In all honesty, this truck was purchased with the sole intent to be used as a camper/hunting rig with the FWC. In the ten months that I have owned it I think I have put about four thousand miles on it. When we go somewhere (Non camping) as a family we take the wife's Land Cruiser. That being said, the camper has almost always been on the truck.