This afternoon, I removed the rear bumper (plan to paint it) and I ended up removing the rusty factory hitch from my truck.
I think I'm going to replace it so I looked at a few websites. I was curious if it would be possible to flip a Drawtite hitch upside down and get it to fit between the frame rails. I have a 2" body lift, so this would put it close up to the bumper where it should be.
Please post pics if you've got em. Thanks.

 

Why not just get a custom fab bumper w/ built in hitch to match your TJM front?

just an idea...

 

Holy Cow Rocket....that looks tough and mean! I like!

 

^ Yea i like it too! Wish it was mine

I will be getting either that or this other bumper pictured in this thread

So theres another bumper idea TStango.

 

Shipping one of those bad boys is tough.
I was planning to attempt to make one, but I don't know if I'm biting off more than I can chew. I have a crappy welder and very little welding experience. I thought at worst I can tack weld the pieces together and pay to have someone run a nice bead.
I'd just really hate to put that rusty crap back on.
I thought of the DrawTite as a quick temporary fix, but maybe I should suck it up and take a stab at it.
Man I opened a can of worms on this one.

 

Another quick fix is to sand it down and spray paint it. It'll look much better and cost effective.

 

Rocket, I do believe that's the beat looking 4x4 bumper I've seen in years. If you find out who makes it let me know. I would like to see what they sell for the Tacoma, Mike

 

Sonoran Steel
www.sonoransteel.com

 

But those/that isnt rated for any load on the hitch. Youre on your own if you want to tow something with it...

 

www.sonoransteel.com

 

I just got some prices. Steel is not cheap!

1 PC 3/16 PLATE 3’ X 4’ $92.50

1 PC 1/8 PLATE 4’ X 4’ $75.00

1 PC 3/16 RECTANGULAR TUBE 2" x 4" x 6' $60.00

 

Neither is quality fabrication. I paid $67.50 an hour for custom labor and I think that is a good price. I have $1200 in my rear bumper and it is going to powdercoat (finally) this week for another $350

 

Here is a write up that turboale did a couple of years ago. he flipped his hitch and took a lot of pics.
turboale
this may be the cheapest mod you can do to keep the rear bumper and hitch.

 

There both rated class III

 

and www.bigcountrycustoms.com

 

actually rocket, i dont think the custom bumpers are rated for towing... they are rated offroad use and msot of them are not rated for towing as that requires certain safety tests done for liability/legal reasons..... i have yet to see any custom off-road fabrication bumpers that are rated for towing.....

 

well mine is not rated, but I have no issues towing a 1000# trailer w/ two dirt bikes.

 

From Sonoran website:
* Pressed in Class III receiver hitch, integrated into the main tube.
* Class III hitch welded on both the front and back of the main tube.

Ive been talking with Big Country Customs and they said the same thing.

Ganted they havent been rated for towing that "requires certain safety tests done for liability/legal reasons" i would think if there bolted up the same way any class III hitch is, then its safe to say there capable of towing the same weight limit.

 

That is the case with mine too and most any other custom piece. The class III receiver hitch is bought with the rating. So most custom stuff isn't "gov. approved," but it is built within the same specs. Every bit as strong if not stronger than a hitch.
They are both bolted to the frame in basically the same location.

 

WOW $350 powdercoated! They are making a killing...I would have charged like maybe $200 if I still was with these guys in Florida. It would take maybe 2 lbs of powder coat to get the proper 2-3 mil thickness all over. If only I had my own business...