Don- what size spare are you running?
Looking at mine it looks like a 35" tire will sit lower than your spare does in relation to the bottom of the tailgate

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with on your rear bumper

 

Rob,

I am only running a 305x75x16 spare. So my spare is only 33". I want to bump to a 315 to match what I am at but haven't found a descent one yet.

Thanks, I will update as I make progress on the bumper.

 

Thank you sir, I'll certainly do that.

 

Ok, so I have been playing around with cardboard today for this rear bumper. I am using a 6" piece for the center section. While this isn't going to make the bumper any less obtrusive then the old unit, it will be able to hold a winch which is a plus. The side brace will be reinforced to the frame to offer some protection the corner panel and the exhaust. I have played with this for a while and think this the route I am going to go, but I am looking for input both good or bad.

What is everyone's thoughts?

 

I sold the Red Hilux tonight. It went to a old friend of mine who served our armed forces. He had used one while on deployment over seas. He had wanted one ever since then. I told him I was going to sell it and he asked if he could be the one to buy it.

My friend I was more then happy to hand you the keys! I didn't make anything on this one, but this guy has a heart of gold and deserves to have this thing. I am very happy its going to a good home.

 

I like your rear bumper design, looks great. Is the rear trailer hitch staying, or are you going to incorporate a receiver into the bumper?

That's cool that you gave your friend a deal on the Hilux, I bet that smile didn't leave his face the whole drive home!

 

Hey bud,

Thanks for the compliments the bump design. I haven't decided if I want to keep the receiver where its at or not. I originally planned on putting a winch into the bumper and leaving the hitch as it sits. I have also thought about putting the receiver into the bumper and just using a portable winch.

I don't know yet. Thoughts?

He is still smiling today!!!! I hope he will have a smile for a long time. He texted me today to say he drove it home 3 hours yesterday and is planning a 1000 mile trip for it this next week!!!!

 

man I would have raided the retirement account for a smoking deal like that!!

 

Rob,

I would help you get a Hilux when your ready. You just need to let me know when the time comes!!!!

 

Thanks Don, one issue will be the DEQ, i would have to register it outside the Portland Metro area.

 

Just need a family member that lives out of the metro area!!!!!

On a side note. I picked these up yesterday. Gonna place the flush mount units in the new rear bumper for pack up lights since I don't have anything right now with the spare tire in the way.

Square units will be recessed into the front winch bumper.

 

So I had a couple of business trips this summer and got to take a couple of side excursions while out and about. Here are some pics of the fun!

First trip was to Maine.

I got a chance to climb err... drive to the tallest point on the East Coast. Acadia National Park at Cadillac Mountain.


This one just struck my funny bone when I saw it and I had to take a photo!!


Next trip took me to L.A. I have always wanted to see the shuttle fly, I didn't make a flight but standing this close and underneath is awesome!!!

 

pretty cool trips you have been on!

you will be impressed at the output the flange mounted lights put out. Are your's Rigid? mine are just the generic version
Passenger side is partially blocked by the license plate mount
still daylight left..

 

That looks good! Yeah I git rigid units. I couldn't pass up the deal so I snagged them. Paid what a set of generics cost. Old lady I got them from just got divorced and her ex hadn't come to pick them up so she posted them online for a just take these away kind of deal. Lol

 

smoking deal, i would have jumped on those too!
i park in a parking structure at work, they are great backing up

 

How's that rear bumper going? Any chance of mass production? Someone needs to make a rear bumper for 2nd gen's! I am in need of something different than stock that is for sure. Build looks great.

 

So here is where I am at with the rear bumper.

I started with 4"x6" 3/16" wall rectangle tubing. I have welded 3/16" plugs into each end. I will use this as the center section under the tailgate. I then cut out and welded in a piece of 2 1/2" 1/4" wall receiver tubing. This is the main body of the bumper. I will brace the back side of the receiver on each side and add a place to secure trailer safety hooks. This will create a very smooth front with no obstruction from a hitch. Still need to cut out for the recessed backup lights too.

The end plugs will be tapped. I will build the wings as a bolt on item. This will be so if any damage does happen to the wing I can replace them easily. The wing will also have a bar that will bolt to the frame towards the end of the wing so bending will be less likely.

I have thought about building these for sale, but other companies have done the same thing and discontinued them for one reason or another. If I had a big enough request I would look at building these for others. I still need to work on the tire swing out carrier.

I will get more done as soon as possible. I am working on an engine swap for a customer at the moment as well as building a rear bumper, rock slider for another customer, so my stuff does take a back seat from time to time. Again if I have anyone that wants one, then it will become a priority to get it buttoned up asap.





I went out for a night time photo op at Mt. Jefferson last night. It was beautiful sunset




I have had some people as about the engine compartment. I haven't updated any photo's in a while so here ya go!!!

 

that rear bumper is off to a great start.
I love the idea of the side wings being a replaceable part instead of having to cut and weld a tweeked part

 

Thanks Robb,

Exactly!

 

Fun time at the wrecking yard.

So I went to the wrecking yard today that I usually get all my parts thru. There is a new grunt guy working in the back. I come in and say I am there to pick up an engine. He promptly grabs a fork lift and picks up the engine and asks what vehicle I have to put it into. I tell him there is a white Hilux in the parking lot. He looks at me and says Ohh is that so. Dosen't say anything else.

I walk back out the door and am waiting by the back of the truck with the tail gate down. He pulls the fork lift up and sets the engine down in the back of the truck. He turns the fork lift off and says is that thing a diesel? I say yeah is has the 3L 4cyl diesel in it. He then asks are you pulling that diesel engine out to put this 3.4 into the truck? If so, I would be willing to buy the diesel off of you for a project of mine. I know the diesel is not nearly as powerful as these gas engines so they aren't worth much, but I would be give ya something for it!!!!! LOL yeah not worth much. That was the funniest thing I had heard in a while. Ahh yeah but these engine are in high demand and command a premium, so NO. This run of the mill 3.4 is for a customers rig that I am doing a swap on. Ain't no way I am pulling this diesel engine for a petrol engine.

I couldn't stop laughing at him. He says ok then. I walk back into the front office and my buddy that works there ask what I am laughing at and all the commotion was about. I tell him what happended and he laughed and said stupid kid had been here all of 2 weeks and don't know squat about vehicles or which customers are regulars. He has made a fool of himself a few times already. We all had a good laugh. The kid walked in while I was telling them what happened. He asked what was so funny. He was scorned by all and sent away!!!! He seemed pretty embarrassed as he shamefully left the office.
LOL

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I picked up a 3.4 to do a swap for a customer today. I will start a swap in the next few days on this cool 91 4runner.