Has anyone with a 2nd Gen Runner used the OEM receiver brackets (tow hitch) to tie a custom bumper into. Seems that if you cut them and drill new holes for the custom bumper it would solve the problem of making a bracket to tie into the frame rails. Thanks in advance.

 

I thought about that too, but I think it would place the bumper too low. If you look at bumpers like All-Pro, Marlin, and Big Rocks they use the same mouting points as the reciever, but tuck closer to the body.

From Marlins site..on a pickup, but you can see how it mounts

 

It is funny that you ask about this Andy. I was thinking the same thing for my 3rd gen bumper. Just seems like a great set of holes to use that are already threaded and I still have the proper hardened bolts for them.

 

That was something that I was thinking of doing, I brought it up once in a thread here somewhere. You should give it a try. I would if I had the time and skills. I wanted to go that route because then I would know what the tow rating would be for the bumper. I don't want to get a bumper where they say that they don't know if it can tow or not.

edit: Here's the link where I was playing around with photoshop and that idea
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/thoughts-2nd-gen-rear-bumper-design-92341/

 

I took the receiver assembly off earlier today to give it a good once over. It's got a bad case of the rust cancer but nothing some grinding and POR 15 won't easily handle. I'll take some pics of the frame brackets when re-installed to give a better idea what my plan is. The spare isn't going anywhere so a swing-away is not in the works. Just a nice stout bumper with a class 3 and some tow points. It sure would be nice to use an existing bracket with not only the towing capacity but the bolt configuration already thought out. From what I saw this would be totally possible by just cutting the bracket and re-drilling some new mounting holes.

 

I used the Hayman Reece tow receiver mounting plates as a template to cut out my rear bar chassis mounts. Check out "Twisty's 2nd Gen 4Runner sliders & rear bar build-up" & I think he took a pic of the mounting points while it is in my shop. The photos are when the bar was only in the mock-up stage but it gives you an idea of the mounts.


brooksy

 

And if you notice, those mounting brackets that Marlin, AllPro, etc use are thicker than the stock bracket/mounts. In fact, I think my allpro rear bumper bracket in the rear is about 1/2" thick! I would rather have the new brackets over the stock ones anyday.

 

Actually the hitch assembly on my '95 has 1/2" plates already. That picture is of a pick-up which has that rear valence. Hard to envision what I'm thinking with that different body style.

 

What's the linky, I can't seem to find it. Oh, and thanks for the info.

 

I was just looking at mine and it looks like you would have to add on to it a little because it tapers back too much. It isn't wide enough to redrill all three holes for the hitch assembly. Mine is 1/2" also, plus it is reinforced where it goes into the frame. I like the idea of where you are going with this.

 

I thinking about something like this


Just get rid of the hitch "crossmember" altogether. I'd use some square/rectangular tubing and tie into the hitch frame plates via another plate. Thoughts...............

 

I am not real computer literate but it should be on the same page (the Fab Shop) as this thread, about half way down the page. Both rear bars in the thread the Runners were running a 2" BODY LIFT.



brooksy

 

I got mine off ie. bumper and receiver bar. I'm gonna get some stock and use receiver to put winch (on plate) and street bumper that goes in receiver?

 

Heres the Link.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/twistys-2nd-gen-4runner-sliders-rear-bar-tyre-carrier-96153/

 

I've been following that thread too so I don't know how I didn't put the two together. THanks for that. Looks like a killer build-up. I've taken all the rust off and coated it with the POR-15. It's ready for primer and a top-coat now. When I re-install it I'll have a better idea where to take the rear bumper mounting.

 

Been there, done that.



http://robinhood4x4.com/rocksliders.htm

My stock bumper thanked me for it.

 

Not really though - you kept the bumper and center hitch assembly. I'm thinking of ditching both and just using the frame plates as the mounting base for a new bumper. Cool site by the way...