blazedealh91

whats the back off the bumper look like

Big David

Looks REALLY nice.

DanB98TJ

Unfortunately, I got in a groove and left the camera in the house, so I didn't get any pics of the back before I bolted it up.

Doesn't do too much good, but here are a few:

Receiver hitch bracing (2x2x1/4" tube extending from receiver to top of channel).


Inside view of spindle tube (2" ODx1/2" wall tubing, has 1" bar stock for the spindle).


Another view of receiver bracing.


Side view of channel (started life as 3x6x3/16" rectangular tubing, sliced the back off with a plasma cutter to save weight...but it still weighs 62 pounds without the tire carrier).

Bustedback

That is a really nice bumper, well planned and done.

DanB98TJ

Thanks! Not a lot of "planning," just kind of building as I go. Probably would have been better if I came up with a plan before hand....

Got started on the tire carrier today. Swing arm built:







Cut up one of my wife's cutting boards to use as a cushion block/rest, and added angle for extra support since the swing arm doesn't sit directly on top of the bumper:







The latch will likely be a simple T-bolt (or V-bolt) similar to what I used on the TJ. Still deciding on how high to mount the tire (probably will never go over 31" tires), whether to make it straight up vertical or angled, and how to do the Hi-Lift mount. I probably won't get around to doing more until after the holidays...if my daughter wasn't sick and kept us at home today I doubt if I would have made it this far. Would rather leave the Jeep projects for another time and have my daughter well...

RRXJeeper71

rear bumper looks great!!
Keep up the great work

DieselDaze

what's your paypal addy??

Nice build man, nice!!!! can't wait to see the finished product

poorboy

wow I think that is the best rear bumper I have seen so far!

I just may steal that idea...... but really I would buy one if you were needing a second job........

Did you weld little pieces of angle on the rails for the 8 bolts? (factory bumper bolts)

xjzaped

That looks awesome. Keep up the good work.

DanB98TJ

Thanks again everyone! Still haven't had time to do any more on it, and doubt I will until after the first of the year.

DieselDaze - My PayPal address is danb98tj...oh wait, I'm not selling it! You're more than welcome to send a donation, though!

poorboy - I can't take full credit for the idea since I took things I liked from several builds and companies. I had a pretty good idea of some things I wanted (tucked up tight to the rear, strong receiver, no large gaps), but seeing how some others did it helped me decide how to get there. I haven't added tabs to use the factory bolts since the ten bolts through the bottom of the unirail (five each side) and the length of the mounts should provide more than enough strength for my needs. Next time I take the bumper off I may add them just for Ss&Gs, but I don't plan on removing it any time soon...

DanB98TJ

Finally had time to get the tire carrier built. Still have a couple small details to finish up (install studs for wheel, relocate license plate, get the 30" tire mounted to the aluminum wheel), but it's pretty much done.









The latch is a simple 1/2" T-bolt:



The swing arm rests on a piece of heavy duty plastic (formerly a cutting board) to avoid metal-to-metal rubbing and hopefully squeaking.





Need to get a self-locking nut for the spindle, but for the time being some nylon fishing line in the threads works well....











I'm pretty happy with it so far - as long as it doesn't rattle I'll be satisfied. The spare doesn't block as much of the rear vision as I anticipated - the 225x75x15 tire is a little smaller than the 30" tire that will normally ride there, but visibility should still be good. Since 31's are as big as I'll ever go and my wheeling won't be too extreme I'm not concerned with hitting it coming off obstacles. If I'm hitting the spare I'm wheeling beyond what I built the XJ for...

Next up: Skid plates

HS00XJ

looks clean good job..Can you still change a bulb in that taillight ? Looks tight.

DanB98TJ

Thanks - I can remove the light without the swingarm in place but haven't checked with it in place. I'm about 90% sure I can get it out without removing the arm, though.

DanB98TJ

Finally finished it up. Got the license plate relocated, correct studs installed, 30" tire mounted, and cleaned up some of the hardware to replace the crappy stuff I had laying around. Took it for a ride - no movement or rattles, swingarm works smoothly, and the latch holds nice and tight without being a PITA to operate.







To stay "legal" I used some Auto Zone license plate mounting bolts with integrated LEDs. Suckers are a lot brighter than I expected....

lonewolf53

Awesome bumper. The one I built for my 92 xj looks a lot like it. Unfortunately its sitting in the garage because I need to modify it to fit on my 98 also to strengthen the mounts. When I tarting changing mine I'll probably be stealing a few of your ideas. Like the mounts and cutting out the back of the tube. Thanks for the ideas! Your thread was exactly what I was looking for to help