Custom built rear bumper and tire carrier
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: ............
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well... I wanted to add two 5 gallon jerry cans to the tire carrier, so I had to ditch the factory bumper and make something a bit more stout.
I wanted to retain the "factory" look so I decided to make the rear bumper similar in shape to the original...and also use the bumper end caps.
I used 3/16" hot roll flat bar for the bumper itself (since my brake will not bend 3/16" steel) and 3/8" plate with 3 x 1.5" rectangle tube for the unibody mount (with 1/4" thick backing plates). Also the 2.5 x 3/4" d-ring mounts go all the way through (inside the rectangle tubing) and have two 9/16" bolts mounting the bumper on both sides (the unibody mounts use 4 7/16" bolts). I retained the original tire carrier mount, pivot, and pin mount that I fabricated last time. I even used some 3/8 x 1.25" flat bar to brace the bumper for the extra weight that I'll be adding. The brace goes from the bottom of the bumper and catches two of the hitch mounting bolts on the right side.
All in all I think it turned out ok. It's very strong now! And I'm still waiting on my jerry can mounts to finish that up.
I wanted to retain the "factory" look so I decided to make the rear bumper similar in shape to the original...and also use the bumper end caps.
I used 3/16" hot roll flat bar for the bumper itself (since my brake will not bend 3/16" steel) and 3/8" plate with 3 x 1.5" rectangle tube for the unibody mount (with 1/4" thick backing plates). Also the 2.5 x 3/4" d-ring mounts go all the way through (inside the rectangle tubing) and have two 9/16" bolts mounting the bumper on both sides (the unibody mounts use 4 7/16" bolts). I retained the original tire carrier mount, pivot, and pin mount that I fabricated last time. I even used some 3/8 x 1.25" flat bar to brace the bumper for the extra weight that I'll be adding. The brace goes from the bottom of the bumper and catches two of the hitch mounting bolts on the right side.
All in all I think it turned out ok. It's very strong now! And I'm still waiting on my jerry can mounts to finish that up.
Last edited by JCKustoms; Apr 12, 2012 at 11:17 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 620
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From: cedar rapids
Year: 99
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 ohh
That looks great! Looks very well thought out. It doesnt look like it would be to hard to add some side protection if you ever stepped up in tire size and di a cut and fold.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,045
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From: Oceanside So Cal
Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
I like the stealth "factory" look. The only thing i would add is to sleeve it into the "frame" and try and pick up on the trailer hitch mounting. Pulling off those "d"rings will more than likly distort the body..or tear the mounts off.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
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From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
Indeed... those factory bolts are not enough (front or rear) in my exp. Looks great though man!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
From: ............
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Domaas
I like the stealth "factory" look. The only thing i would add is to sleeve it into the "frame" and try and pick up on the trailer hitch mounting. Pulling off those "d"rings will more than likly distort the body..or tear the mounts off.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
From: ............
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by brookhart63
That looks great! Looks very well thought out. It doesnt look like it would be to hard to add some side protection if you ever stepped up in tire size and di a cut and fold.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 890
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From: ............
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Ianf406
Indeed... those factory bolts are not enough (front or rear) in my exp. Looks great though man!
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CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,045
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From: Oceanside So Cal
Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside So Cal
Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 890
Likes: 1
From: ............
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by nitro450exp
JCK
Nice clean fab.
Looks stock.
Bravo
Nitro
Nice clean fab.
Looks stock.
Bravo
Nitro
I'm going to test it out this weekend up in the snow!


