Topic: jfrabat's bumper Re: Jeffy's Joop

[sharpxmen]

I have had a 33 on mine for over a year so far, and no issues...  Just remember to extend the bump stops so the tire does not rip the carrier off!

I REALLY had to extend mine because I had to extend the bracket itself so that the tire would clear the rear bumper...

you didn't get your TJ hinges installed yet?

[Jeffy]

Is that really a 35" 12,5" tire on your tail gate? How do the hinges take that?
I am always driving without spare; have 33" 12,5 on steel rims. Always afraid the hinges cannot take the weight...

It's actually a 34x9.0R15 Interco Super Swamper TSL Bias-Ply.  The main problem with mounting a larger tire on the tailgate is having it vibrate.  Once you get rid of the vibrations, you alleviate most of the problems like tearing of the sheet metal and fatiguing the hinges.

http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,590.0.html

I have no problems other then the additional weight on the hinges making the latch hit the stud unless I lift up a little.  When I mean a little I do mean very little.  It closes normally otherwise except for the thud from the stud hitting the latch off center a bit.  If I remove the tire it closes fine.

[jfrabat]

you didn't get your TJ hinges installed yet?

No, I have not gotten around to it yet.  Not sure if I will, seeing how the YJ ones are doing fine and that there is no paint under the hinges...  In any case, I did get them painted, so if I do install them, it should be a quick swap.

[jfrabat]

@JFRabat: on the danger to go too much off topic: Nice rear bumper. I am trying to adapt my German Westfalia bumper and fit it with those shackle mounts so that when they have to pull me out of trouble, the forces aredirectly on the crossing of the rear crossmember and chassis.
My Westfalia bumper has a towingball just about 20 cm under the bumper. So any force on this ball makes the bumper tilt and thus shear off the crossmember off the chassis. A real crappy design from Westfalia.

Did you buy the bumper or manufacture it your self?

Bought it, but the design is really not that complicated...  I got it from JCR Offroad (Mozman, from this forum, recommended them, and since I was still in the US at the time, I bought it).  I like the design, and like the fact that the receiver is built in and not below.  I also like that the rear of the bumper is closed (so mud will not accumulate there!).  The liner it came with, though, was crap; I should have gotten it bare and Line-X'ed it!

[Eucalypta]

@JFrabat: I am now driving with a "Jeffy" bumper. Can you see if the shackle mounts are welded on or if they go through the steel and welded on botsh the inside and outside of the bumper?
We were looking into welding some on ourselves but the home made welds we would do with such thick steel might be not strong enough. And I wouldnt want to be near it when it comes off while someone is winching me backward.

[aw12345]

just make a bumper out of some 2x4 tubing lot cheaper than dropping a lot of coin on a bumper that is easily made.

[Eucalypta]

just make a bumper out of some 2x4 tubing lot cheaper than dropping a lot of coin on a bumper that is easily made.

Already have a bumper in the shed; a westfalia bumper with towing ball.
Just have to add some towhooks and reinforce it with strips so it can bold to the chassis (underside). It now only bolts to the rear crossmember.

[jfrabat]

First off, Jeffy, sorry for hijacking the thread; maybe it can be split into a separate thread, to keep the subject?

OK, now, regarding the bumper, the best thing to do if you want to weld it yourself is make the shackle mounts wide in the rear.  That way, even if the welds dont hold, the hole will keep it in place and it will not come fling out.  Something similar to this shrockworks one...



Felipe

[Eucalypta]

First off, Jeffy, sorry for hijacking the thread; maybe it can be split into a separate thread, to keep the subject?

OK, now, regarding the bumper, the best thing to do if you want to weld it yourself is make the shackle mounts wide in the rear.  That way, even if the welds dont hold, the hole will keep it in place and it will not come fling out.  Something similar to this shrockworks one...



Felipe

Hmm yes maybe split it up (sorry)...
Indeed, looks safer than the "just-weld-it-on-hope-it-stays-on" kind.
Back to the scrapyard Id say....