Swing-away rear bumper WITHOUT a tire mount?

[Martinjmpr]

Just sort of daydreaming/wasting time here, but I've often wondered if anybody was running (or making) a swing-away rear bumper without a tire mount?

Reason I ask is that I like the looks of some of the tube or plate bumpers with swing aways, but to be honest, I'm fine with having my spare under the rear of the truck where it is now. I don't run seriously oversized tires (265/75/16, or 10.5" x 31" if you prefer non-metric) so I see no need to "reinvent the wheel."

However, it has occurred to me that some stuff - namely fuel but also water - could be stored as effectively (or more effectively) outside the vehicle rather than in.

The other issue with having the spare mounted on the swing away is the neccessity to have it even during around-town driving.

So my big question is, what would it take (besides money!) to make a rear bumper with (1) A double swing-away that could carry, say, 2 standard 5 gallon NATO fuel cans and maybe a high-lift jack, and (2) be removable so that the swing-away portions could be taken off when not needed (like for daily-driver duties.)

The first part seems easy, since most of the swing-aways I've seen are custom built, just have it built with the gas can compartments in lieu of a tire carrier. But the second part - being able to remove it and reinstall it later for use - seems trickier. Are there hinges that have some kind of quick-release or quick-detach feature?

 

[mountainpete]

I have seen dual swing-out bumpers that do not have tire carriers. If I remember correctly, Kaymar bumpers have options for each of their swings including can holders and jack mounts. Although I don't think they make any for 4Runners

The problem is being removable. It's hard to make something flex free, weight bearing and rattle free while being easily removable. I guess you could pull the pins and lift the sing arms off, but I have no experience with doing that regularly.

Pete

 

[1911]

Man-A-Fre sells the "4+" line made by lcwizard in Arizona; he makes modular and semi-custom bumpers for Land Cruisers, not sure about 4Runners. He will make bumpers with one or two swingouts, with two spare mounts, 1 spare and one jerry can basket, or two jerry can baskets if you want. I have one with one of each:

 

[1leglance]

SOAZ Tim here on expo has a swing out without a tire on it on his 4runner, great setup with table, jerry cans and more.
Check out his build thread or google his blog

 

[Ruined Adventures]

I saw something the other day that had me thinking...Swing away wheelchair/scooter carrier. There's several designs out there, but you get the picture.

Just have a custom rear bumper fabbed up that has a receiver hitch, then have some racks or jerry can carriers welded to the swing away arm. If you want double swingouts, just have two more receivers welded into your bumper so that they are offset to each side.

 

[targa88]

CBI made a swing out bumper for my FjC, where the swing outs are removable

 

[Yellowkayak]

Off Road Limited makes those for full size vehicles. I sent them an E-mail two weeks ago and they still have not replied. I'm looking for the same thing for my Chevy Crew Cab, but NOT a hitch plug in type, but one that mounts on the end of the bumper so I can have platforms welded to it to haul gas cans on one end, and a genny on the other end!

Here is one that does have a spare tire and gas can holder:

http://www.offroadltd.com/bumpers.htm


JJ

 

[pcjeeper]

Aluminess also makes bumpers with dual swing aways...with or without a tire carrier.

 

[CYi5]

DIY; This is completely bolt-on, could easily be made for two arms but I used a previous swing out upper arm. Bolts through clevis mounts, receiver hitch, and one hole near hinge.

without

with

And a previous version that bolts onto the factory rear hitch if you don't have an aftermarket bumper or want the weight. On this version I just pulled the arm off when around town.

 

[Ruined Adventures]

Great bumper CYi5!

Does that make any noise on washboards when it's mounted thru the clevis? I'd love to see more pictures...a closeup of the clevis mount and how it latches would be great!

I've been brainstorming something like this for a while. I'd also rather keep my spare under the 4runner because that is constant dead weight. Something like CYi5's bumper (hitch mounted swing away version) reduces a heavy spare mounted that far back and you can still put the tailgate down without removing a cargo basket. Keep the fuel cans empty most the time, then when you really need range (ie, driving from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni) you can fill up on fuel.

 

[corax]

You could use (2) 5/8" heim joints in double shear for the hinges and attach it to the bumper with a locking hitch pin - removable and stout

 

[SOAZ]

SOAZ Tim here on expo has a swing out without a tire on it on his 4runner, great setup with table, jerry cans and more.
Check out his build thread or google his blog

Thanks Lance! I hope you are still in town. We need to grab a beer and cigar before you head out!

Here is a pic if it helps the OP out with ideas.

The swing out locks into two positions. The table flips down etc. The entire bumper and swing out is made from scrap metal that was at my buddies shop. Old throttle cables for wires holding up the table.

Sorry, not too many great pictures of it open. Once it's open I focus on food and beer it seems.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Thanks Lance! I hope you are still in town. We need to grab a beer and cigar before you head out!

Here is a pic if it helps the OP out with ideas.

Yes, Exactly what I had in mind!

Can you take the swing away portion off when not needed? Or do you run it year round?

Now that I think about it, it's not a critical requirement since I have a DD (my Mazda.) It's just that I can imagine that swing away getting a bit in the way when trying to pick up lumber from Home Depot or getting a piece of furniture off of CL.

Who made yours and what can you tell me about it? Also, do you still have your stock trailer hitch? I do need a hitch to carry a small trailer. It would also be nice to be able to carry my bicycle rack (although if absolutely neccessary, bicycles could go on the roof, too.)

 

[SOAZ]

Yes, Exactly what I had in mind!

Can you take the swing away portion off when not needed? Or do you run it year round?

Now that I think about it, it's not a critical requirement since I have a DD (my Mazda.) It's just that I can imagine that swing away getting a bit in the way when trying to pick up lumber from Home Depot or getting a piece of furniture off of CL.

Who made yours and what can you tell me about it? Also, do you still have your stock trailer hitch? I do need a hitch to carry a small trailer. It would also be nice to be able to carry my bicycle rack (although if absolutely neccessary, bicycles could go on the roof, too.)

I can take it off and I did at first.... buuuuuut. I'm lazy, I don't mind what it looks like, and so I leave it on year round now.

I made it. Let me know what questions you have. No stock trailer hitch. To get any sort of decent ground clearance just build it into the rear bumper like I did. Even a "flipped' stock hitch hangs pretty low. I use either the roof rack bike mount or I can remove the mount from the roof rack and it mounts right onto the tubular bar or the swing out.
:bike_rider::bike_rider:

 

[1leglance]

Hey Tim,
glad you found this thread and that nighttime shot is just what I had in my head when you posted. The fold down table is a really killer part of your setup.
We are not going to Oz until next June so 7 months to hit the trail, smoke some sticks and enjoy some beverages...and pick your brain on other details about your build.

Having seen Tim's setup in person a few times and knowing how long it has lasted I would say it is well worth keeping the spare under the rig and enjoying his kind of rear bumper swing out combo