when I built my front bumper I started by bolting the mount plates to the frame and welded everything on from there - using the truck itself as the jig. Once I took it off I couldn't get the holes to line back up without "spreading" the bumper with a bottle jack. When anything is welded the metal contracts around the weld and will leave internal stress in the tubes - that's why they fit so damn tight and need to be tweaked a bit.

 

i want a marlin rear bumper!!!

They either a) need to make one for the swingout rear carrier on a 2nd gen.

Or b) i need to remove the swing out carrier, to get the marlin. (but i like the swing out)

so at the moment i am just using my stock rear bumper as a rock magnet!!

 

I just put a rear MC on my girlfriends 4runner... Jeeeze!! That was the biggest pita! It took me a few hours to get the two inside frame mount bolts in (that thread into the bracket itself). It took some major pulling to get the actual bumper ends over the frame, when it did it was almost impossoble to mount fully.

There are two welded nuts on the frame mounts for the 4runner. Since you cannot get a real nut in that area. Turns out marlin welded them a LITTLE off, so the screw was hitting the side of the bracket as it went into the nut.. My god.. I just about threw a 3/4" wrench across the street

 

damn, sounds like a major PITA, but i still want one!!

just gotta work out the tire carrier problem with them!

 

904, im with you... id LOVE to have the rear bumper, but alas, i too have the swing out carrier... really, tho, it shouldnt be too hard to modify the MCbumper right??

 

I got an MC rear bumper not that long ago. Was a bit of work, but, a centering punch really helps to line things up.

To make the bumper fit around my carrier I cut a small part off the bumper and getting a metal plate welded in.

Lifted the entire rear of the vehicle yesterday from the receiver.

Way better angles now !

 

I asked the local fab shop (Bigcountrycustoms.com) If it was possible to modifiy the marlin for a tire carrier. They told it that it is possible, but it will after time crack the tubing on the bumper.

I would just get a early 2nd gen 90-91 rear tire carrier at a junkyard and make that fit your rig..

Once you install a marlin bumper, having a spare under the truck just looks like poo


Looks cool:



Much better then before!:

 

^ ah

i don't know now.

 

Imagine that...a 20 year old vehicle where things don't just "bolt up" anymore. This is why I will never build mass produced bumpers myself...too much of a possible nightmare...bring me your truck...now that's a different story and much easier.

Good luck.

 

If I had something to spread the ends apart (like a hi-lift or something) It wouldve make this install ALOT easier

Still mounted up good in the end.

 

good call wabbit!

 

damn!
I have this rear bumper on the want list. I hope to hell it goes smooth but it sounds as if it's going to be a headache.
If I spend this kind of cash on this thing and it doesnt go well I am going to drive to Fresno and make them put it on! Or better yet I will bring it to you Wabbit.

 

I had no problems mounting mine up to my '86 4rnr. Easy off and back on when I move the rear spring mounts rearward. Though did have to trash the rear plastic skirt peices.