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#1 (permalink) | |||||
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Contributing Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 932
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Is A Swing-Out Tire Carrier Worth It?
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Ian 2001 4Runner SR5 4x4 - An Evolving Expedition and Search and Rescue Response Vehicle TJM, XD-9000 Winch, Badland Sliders, SAW/OME Lift, 33" BFG TA KOs, Homemade CO2 Set-up, Optima Blue Top, Cobra 75 WX ST, Icom V8000, Icom IC-F121, 1.0" 4Crawler BL, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Wilderness Rack w/Hella 550s, Snorkeled and Trail Armor by BudBuilt. TLCA #14,082 SAR Field Team Leader - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group |
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#2 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Southern MD USA
Posts: 1,531
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I really hate external tire racks. However with the 285s there really is not practical place to put the spare except on a tire rack.
I can not carry all my stuff with that tire inside and it will not fit underneath. Gadget www.GadgetOnline.com |
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#3 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
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im a fan of my tire rack. just make sure the hinge is a good one. the person of made my bumper made the hinge very half a-- and now its really hard to open it
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#4 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 4,246
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I have a rear carrier. I like it to a point.
If you have room in the interior, then put it there but make sure it is completely secure. If you can figure out a way to make it not wiggle when it is latched, which seems to be fighting Physics, then that would make it pretty cherry. I personally view it as a necessary evil. |
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#5 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
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I am sooooooo glad I built this bumper. For one, the 33" tires doesn't fit under the rear of the 4runner anymore. Plus, dragging the tire over rocks is really not too good for the rubber. With a good hinge and locking latch, you can be set. I have modifed my bumper to move the tire up out of the way when off-roading, then when its back on the road, I move it back down to a lower position, where the rear window can actually be used.
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#6 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 2,151
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I am trying to get my buddy to make me a tire carrier/bumper, because I have my spare in the back now, and I HATE it! it takes up WAAAAY too much room, but if you can stand it, then don't get the tire carrier.
I personally like the look of a rear tire carrier |
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#7 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
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I like mine even though it's a little more effort to get in the back. Most of the time if I even want to reach into the window I have to open the carrier. I'd say if you can still fit your tire in the normal place, or if you don't want a tool box like mine, then you don't need one. Besides, it'll cause more damage in an accident. But if you just want it, then go for it.
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Steve. '93 4Runner V6 Auto 4x4 Robinhood's Lair. || Gettin' Off 4wd Club member Lots for sale:5.29 ARB IFS third member... Click Sierra Club policy: [A reason to close trails] ...Physical soil damage, often readily visible, resulting in: a. Erosion, causing soil loss and damage to stream banks, streams, and fish habitat... Lesson...Stay on the TRAIL! |
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#8 (permalink) |
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Registered User
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Has anyone thought about cutting the cross member that is directly above the tire carrier mechanism, than refabbing a tube that is higher up so a 285 would fit? Or is the distance between the frame rails too small?
Chris |
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#9 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfax, VA
Posts: 932
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Thanks for the replies.
Do you guys have the spare mounted on the carrier all the time or only on the trail? How much does it obscure looking out the rear window?
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Ian 2001 4Runner SR5 4x4 - An Evolving Expedition and Search and Rescue Response Vehicle TJM, XD-9000 Winch, Badland Sliders, SAW/OME Lift, 33" BFG TA KOs, Homemade CO2 Set-up, Optima Blue Top, Cobra 75 WX ST, Icom V8000, Icom IC-F121, 1.0" 4Crawler BL, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Wilderness Rack w/Hella 550s, Snorkeled and Trail Armor by BudBuilt. TLCA #14,082 SAR Field Team Leader - Shenandoah Mountain Rescue Group |
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#10 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Telluride, CO
Posts: 223
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I am in the deciding stage right now myself...
I go back and forth, I have room in my wilderness rack for the spare...but, it seems silly to have all the cargo room up top and then fill it with a spare. I like the look of the swing on the older runners and like a lot of the fab jobs others have done themselves. The standard seems to be the Rockware bumpers out of Colorado Springs. It is a 6 hour drive for me and they say they need my truck for 3 days. Darrens truck came out nice with a $1000+ price tag...I've saved up 750.00 but when i called it seems the price has gone up to 1400.00, not sure it is worth it to me at that price...anyone else know a GOOD fabricator. Dave |
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#11 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
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keep in mind you get what you pay for. their work is top notch. my rear bumper was 700 and had everything i could have wanted. although now the hinge doesnt work that great and it really isnt as good of a bumper as i would have liked it to be. my .02:chicken:
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#12 (permalink) | |
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Contributing Member
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Quote:
I'll sell you mine for $650. I'm looking at making another one that is a little bit lighter. This one is a brute and works very very well. many people can attest to this. Click here to see how the bumper is made |
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#13 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 4,246
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I have a Rockware as well.
It cost quite a few pretty pennies, but it was well worth it. I could not have done that myself and made it look that pretty and I do not know anyone around me in Wisconsin who knows truck stuff to that degree. Buy once, cry once. |
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#14 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Telluride, CO
Posts: 223
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Quote:
Also I was wondering if you had a side shot of how those skirts line up with the body. The only thing the guy at rockware said was that each 3rd generation is a little different...that's why they needed my truck for 3 days. Each rear bumper had to be made custom for that vehicle or it wouldn't match. Dunno?
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#15 (permalink) | |
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Contributing Member
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Quote:
Based on this, it would depend on one's preference, but if they want it to be perfect to their liking, going custom is the only way. Take your own 4Runner to a shop and be happy. Dave, as Doink said, you get what you pay for. I get tired of hearing people complain (not you) about the prices of this unit and other stuff, such as my sliders, which also come to mind. There IS a difference in craftsmanship and performance, and the cost reflects that. Funny how that works. What's a few hundred extra dollars? You'll make more! Bumper parts cost the same for every fabricator, about ~$125, as I think Matt at Rock Ware told me. It's what you do with all those pieces is what counts. Whatever, to each their own. I like what I have and I'm happy.Regarding Steve's bumper, I believe his stock bumper is still in place. He just built his bumper as a cage around it. Less departure angle with his, but it is bulletproof. Regarding the original post, I would do it again, without question. Better than having the tire up top, which I did. COG thing. Better than having it (a 285) in the stock location as it will get bumped and scraped, which I've done. I don't like that idea either. If you have some cool tires, it will have a cool factor if you have a matching spare! If you have some cool wheels, it will have a cool factor if you have a matching spare!
Last edited by Darren; 10-06-2003 at 04:23 PM. |
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#16 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Deltona FL
Posts: 72
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tire carrier
I just built a new rear bumper for mine because I wanted the tire on the rear not underneath. I used the rockstomper hinge, and shackle hangers. The main part of my bumper is a piece of 2x4 rectangular steel tube, withe the tire carrier made out of 2x2 square tube. It is still a work in progess, I dont have a receiver to tow with yet but I'll find one some day. Best part was the price I've only got about $325.00 into it. It looks something like this. HTH
Paul
__________________
Paul "We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to vist violence on those who would do us harm" 85 SR5 EFI M/T 4wd custom 2.25in exhaust rear true-trac diff 31x10.5x15 winston M/T on 15x7 alloys Front Range Off-Road Severe use front frame brace Front Range Off-Road front bumper OME suspension INSTALLED!! NWOR greasable spring shackles custom rear bumper w/spare tire carrier Warn 8000 winch TRD Level 1 cam |
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#17 (permalink) |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 4,246
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Get a bumper built to your truck. Not someone's who is a lot like yours or even the same model. Get a custom bumper custom, period.
I know that is not always practical, but you will be doing yourself a favor since the product will be perfect and you allow the fab guy to do his job. Steve's is a brute, it took some serious pounding all 3 days I watched it and it did not flinch. Watch the CO4RJ teaser and see how it laughs at rocks. |
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#18 (permalink) | |
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Contributing Member
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Re: tire carrier
Quote:
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#19 (permalink) |
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Registered User
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I'm going with a combination of the stock bumper and 1/4" 3x2 steel tubing.
Chris |
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#20 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
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DSP,
the best I can do for at this time, is to point you to my website, where the bumper is. I have several pictures, and I have uploaded a few more pictures of the bumper tonight. Albuquerque Jim has seen it, Flygtenstein has seen it, Mike Brown has seen it, Jeff the Marmot has seen it, Schaefer has seen it in AZ....... check out this link, look towards the bottom of the page: http://www.hunt4steve.com/off-road/skids/99bumprr.htm |
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#21 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: US somewhere
Posts: 875
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I'm in the same boat Ian, had 5 flats in 1 month on a trip in South America, and 2 flats in one weekend here in VA. I have beeen planning on getting the tire carrier to mount a spare in addition to the one underneath. Perhaps later I may use the space underneath for an extra gas tank.
__________________
Former trucks- 89 & 86 4Runners http://www.va4roc.com |
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#22 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Telluride, CO
Posts: 223
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Quote:
I have seen all the pics (it looks beefy) and although (no offense steve) it does not seem as 'clean' as the Rockware,is it half the product? I mean at $650 vs $1400, is the value really in the Rockware. FLY, I know, I know...you get what you pay for, but for those of you who have seen this swing, does the hinge function well? Will it drop my rear lift? (I have downey 3.5's and bils in the rear). Will it hold up for another 10 years? Steve I am interested, just want to know what the others think! Let me know guys wierd...all your comments weren't there when i made this post, but now when i went back to the thread there was a bunch of posts i hadn't seen (Darren, Fly, etc) anyway, disregard this post and thanks for your input on SteveO's swing, I appreciate the insight. Dave Ohhh, Darren I know that had to be you I passed on Sunday night, right? Next time give me a shout...so we can wheel, there are still a few trails minus the snow...see you next time.
Last edited by DSP; 10-07-2003 at 09:14 AM. |
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#23 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
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Yeah, I'm sure it was me that you saw. I'm the only UFO around. :alien:
Let's see, Sunday afternoon/evening I went up to Alta Lakes, then did an un-and-back trip through town up to Bridal Veil and back. Where did you see me at? I always look for 4Runners, and I was always on the lookout for yours, but I didn't see any TJMers. What color is yours? I did pass and see a lifted 3rd Gen as I was entering town. I think around Society Turn. It was maroon and had some lights on the front as I recall. I thought it was a brush guard. I didn't get too long of a look at it. Have you seen that one, if it isn't yours? My itinerary was pretty full in trying to get some pictures in this trip. The only trail I did, or semi-did was Pougkeepsie. Did you see my incident from there on the Trip Report section? |
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#24 (permalink) |
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Contributing Member
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DSP,
I would agree, you do get what you pay for. I am not a professional welder, nor do I bulid bumpers or fabricate for a living. However, when I do build something, I build it to last. Sure my bumper is not as clean as the Rockware, and the paint is coming off (something I will be repainting or powder coating this winter), but man this thing is strong. The welding on the class III hitch is not not lightweight at all. The welds on the shackle mounts are not lightweight either. When I made this, I wanted to make absolutely sure, without a doubt, that a weld would not be a weak spot. Essentially, I wanted to have confidence in my work, so when I hook up a winch cable to the bumper, it won't come flying off under pressure. That could be devisating to me, as well as anybody else around, and would certainly ruin anybody's wheeling trip. This is not a sales pitch by any means, I'm just stating this thing has been built to protect the 4Runner and take any abuse the rocks can throw at it. Thus far, it has shrugged off the rocks feeble attempts to mar this bumper. ![]() I just threw it out there because you were looking. And weather you consider this bumper or not, I will still build another bumper and sell this at a different time. No pressure here or hurt feelings here.
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#25 (permalink) | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Telluride, CO
Posts: 223
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Quote:
No pressure given, none taken, I'm not sure what I want to do. I'm about 5-6 g's deep since I got my truck in january... Mere pennies to what have thrown down but nonetheless, I really want the swing but am having a hard time rationalizing it right now...especially going into winter here in Telluride. I'll tell you what, I am carrying my spare for now underneath, where it probably will stay thru the next 6-8months, at least until stuff starts to thaw again in may. By that time if I can afford it...I'll probably go custom... However, by that time if you have built your new bumper and are ready to sell, I will take another hard look and see if it is for me! You are probably the same distance from me as colorado springs anyway. I appreciate you making the offer to me, and i am seriously considering it, so please keep me in the loop, if and when that thing becomes available. Also if you drop the price, wink, wink. Seriously though, you have a bomber product that you should be proud of, I wish I had half the courage and talent to tackle such a great project. My hats off to you, nice work! -Dave
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