rear bumper build

[eatsleepoffroad]

hey guys, tomorrow im starting on fabin' up a rear bumper on my '00 XJ, i just picked up a 6' length of 5"x5" box tubing and im going off that.
any inputs or helpful hints?
any pics of homemade rear bumpers with possible swing out tire carrier?
any and all info will help since this is my first bumper build im sorta going into this blind. i just want tow points like i have up front and ditch my low hanging hitch for a better approach angle so ill be welding in a recessed hitch in the center.
thanks!

 

[stroked88]

youre gonna have trouble pinning a reciever in the center using 5"x5". most people use a 2"x(4" 5" 6") tubing for the main body. be sure to tie into the hitch points. do some research on how people have done their mounts.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

here is an entire rear bumper thread:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=931945

as stroked88 said, 5" is going to be tough for a hitch. try something 2"x or 3"x

 

[ktm racer 419]

5x5 is going to look goofy and stick out a good deal. my main body is 2x4. the tire carrier is connected by heim joints to both the 1/4 panel guard and bumper and swings out and down.

being mounted with heims in 2 places spreads the load out better and it virtually doesnt move one bit, doesnt rattle, doesnt loosen, and takes a lot of stress off the bumper mounts, compared to a traditional spindle tire carrier setup anyway.

 

[aintright]

i think that may be the snazziest way to make a swing out tire carrier. i never thought of using heims.

 

[VAhasnoWAVES]

this is my favorite rear tire carrier:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1030354

i plan to build something similar, and recess the arm, like this:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1067772

 

[eatsleepoffroad]

hey guys thanks for the helpful tips and pics! i did end up keeping the 5"x5" box tubing but i was able to tuck it reasonably close so it actually protrudes out less than the oem bumper. heres a few pics....i dont have the spare tire mount done yet.
let me know what you guys think



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main frame 3/16" wall with 2"x2" 1/4" wall bottom support (oem hitch mounting spot)


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D-Ring tabs
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'integrated' hitch
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Added about 1 13/16" on top so we took that amount off the bottem so it stayed 5" all around
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5" C-channel welded on for new end caps...and 45* cut on the corner for a cleaner and modern look

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Finished product (before tire carrier)
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a piece im proud of! took about a week and just over $100 in material...not bad for a 20 y.o college kid and some of dads help lol
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just figured i'd throw in a front shot of the rig so far...
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[RCP Phx]

Well dont pull from the shackle mounts and your quarter panels are going to hate you!!

 

[stumpXJ]

Looks fantastic man, nicely done.

 

[Lowrange2]

The 2x2 on the bottom is all that it's mounted to?

Is it under the frame rails or inside?

 

[clean4drxj]

Great job!

 

[eatsleepoffroad]

not just the 2x2 underneath (under the frame with hardware going into the frame rail)..i also made mounts where the oem bumper was mounted to with 4 bolts going into the jeep on ea. side, the mounts behind the bumper (oem replacement)was out of 1/4" steel much heavier duty mounts and all hardware was grade 8...so it has the tension strength for pulling and the hitch mount for tongue weight too

 

[cnjcherokee]

The two stickers you have on your hatch made me giggle, irony.
Like the build good job!

 

[eatsleepoffroad]

The two stickers you have on your hatch made me giggle, irony.
Like the build good job!

yea yea....well i'd rather say i built it than say i bought it...

 

[Chrisp929]

Doooooode... Thats just plain awesome... Its exactly what i imagined for my bumper... Im astonished... Fantastic job....