blistovmhz
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
I built a rear swing out tire carrier bumper for my XJ. It's mostly just 2x6 1/4" tube.
It's modeled after the Roxolid carrier bumper, but I wasn't happy with bolting it to the stock (paper thin) bumper mounts, so I instead mounted it inside the rear frame rail as far as I could get it (around 24 inches).
Then I bolted it all from the bottom and called it a day.
Well, turns out this isn't a great idea for several reasons.
1. The 35" spare is heavy and it wants to move. It can't, but every time it tries, it's stressing the uni-frame rail.
2. Flexing the Uni-frame rail and NOT the bumper = stress cracks. They're about 2" long on the bottom of the frame on both sides. Uni-frame twists, bumper doesn't.
3. I wheel it hard.
I figure there are three answers.
First, just remove the bumper and start fresh.
Second, plate the entire uni-frame and cage the uni-body. This would work, and I'll probably do this eventually, but I really don't feel like tackling this over the winter and I need a solution soon before I destroy what's left of the frame.
Third, (I just thought of this today) plate the section of frame rail where the bumper bolts in. Sides and bottom, another 1/8" of plate, then drill a single hole through the side of the rail and bumper, stick a bushing through, and bolt it in using only one enormous bolt. This would allow the frame to flex and there's enough space in the rail for the bumper to move around a little bit.
There's also the issue of the carrier trying to bounce back and forth. If someone's got a good idea on how to stiffen that up, please let me know. Otherwise I'll end up tying it in to the roof rack when I cage it.
Here's some pictures for reference:
One last thing. I absolutely hate having a spare tire on the back. I've landed on that spare tire more times than I care to admit, and when it hits, it hits hard. I know I should avoid doing this, but sometimes it's just inevitable. Aside from the swing out carrier or roof rack, wtf can I do with a 35" spare? Yes, it'll fit in the back, but that means the rear seat has to be folded down to make room for tools and trail spares. I hate having the entire back of my Jeep full of tools. I can't have a grocery getter that doesn't have room for groceries!
It's modeled after the Roxolid carrier bumper, but I wasn't happy with bolting it to the stock (paper thin) bumper mounts, so I instead mounted it inside the rear frame rail as far as I could get it (around 24 inches).
Then I bolted it all from the bottom and called it a day.
Well, turns out this isn't a great idea for several reasons.
1. The 35" spare is heavy and it wants to move. It can't, but every time it tries, it's stressing the uni-frame rail.
2. Flexing the Uni-frame rail and NOT the bumper = stress cracks. They're about 2" long on the bottom of the frame on both sides. Uni-frame twists, bumper doesn't.
3. I wheel it hard.
I figure there are three answers.
First, just remove the bumper and start fresh.
Second, plate the entire uni-frame and cage the uni-body. This would work, and I'll probably do this eventually, but I really don't feel like tackling this over the winter and I need a solution soon before I destroy what's left of the frame.
Third, (I just thought of this today) plate the section of frame rail where the bumper bolts in. Sides and bottom, another 1/8" of plate, then drill a single hole through the side of the rail and bumper, stick a bushing through, and bolt it in using only one enormous bolt. This would allow the frame to flex and there's enough space in the rail for the bumper to move around a little bit.
There's also the issue of the carrier trying to bounce back and forth. If someone's got a good idea on how to stiffen that up, please let me know. Otherwise I'll end up tying it in to the roof rack when I cage it.
Here's some pictures for reference:
One last thing. I absolutely hate having a spare tire on the back. I've landed on that spare tire more times than I care to admit, and when it hits, it hits hard. I know I should avoid doing this, but sometimes it's just inevitable. Aside from the swing out carrier or roof rack, wtf can I do with a 35" spare? Yes, it'll fit in the back, but that means the rear seat has to be folded down to make room for tools and trail spares. I hate having the entire back of my Jeep full of tools. I can't have a grocery getter that doesn't have room for groceries!
. All the way back to where the frame rail starts bending down and in. Tonnes of support, but probably should've tied a few bolts through the side as well so all the weight wasn't on the very end of the rail.
