Might have posted some of this before but I can't be bothered to find the old thread, and I'm finally finishing this, so: 2x4x1/4 tube, recessed hitch, d ring tabs, lower quarter panel guards, swingout tire carrier (2x2x1/8 square tube, two 1.25" pillow block bearings).

Tie ins:





Here's how it was before, I didn't like the hitch where I put it, and it was mounted up so close to the hatch that during winter it would freeze shut, and on an offroad obstacle the hitch hit a rock and bent it up just enough to prevent my hatch from opening



New and improved! Lowered about .5" brought out about .75", hitch recessed, and quarter guards on.


Finished the bearing setup for the tire carrier, unfortunately had to notch the hatch just a bit to clear the pillow block.

I finished painting the bumper about 12 days ago and the paint is still not cured (Rustoleum stops rust primer, and Rustoleum gloss coat.) After this ordeal I will certainly not be using that brand of paint again. Everything was prepped well and done properly.


Anyways, I realised after the fact that I'd need to weld on some latching mechanisms so I'll be repainting it anyways. But I made some progress on the swingout.






Original plans were for an additional square tube to the bottom section of the pin, but I'm worried about clearance issues offroad (that back corner of the bumper has already rubbed on things) so I'm cutting it so only about 1/2" sticks out the bottom of the bearing then putting a small weld there to keep the pin from potentially ejecting lol.

looks good man can't wait to see it finished up... I was going to plop a tire on a rack when I get mine ready but lately I'm thinking place the spare in the back..

btw, I've never had a problem with rustoleum and I've used a vast amount of their industrial floor coatings at air force bases.. that being said I'm sure it wouldn't be the first time they had a batch problem, it happens with paint manufacturers from time to time..

call them I'm positive they will hook you up..

I use the Rustoleum Engine Enamel. That stuff is great. Goes on thick and leaves a nice finish. I have had bad experiences with other brands not drying before . Like the OP said I'm sure all companies have had bad batches before

Yeah the more I read about it online it seems it may have been a bad batch, which is still pretty disappointing since I gotta take this giant heavy bumper off and repaint it lol. But yeah, Getting a 33" tire on the back it's pretty damn impossible to not have it take up a ton of your rear view. I didn't want the tire hanging too low due to clearance, otherwise I might've saved a bit of view back there lol.

Anyways, I tightened down the bolt too hard and cracked the foot of one of the pillow block bearings. I didn't like the slop in them much either (even with preloading I couldn't get it not to sag) so I switched to a steel collar on the bottom. Honestly If I could go back and redo it I would have just bought a damn spindle, I just used the pillow blocks cause they were laying around. Anyways, for the tire mount I torched apart an old worn out XJ hub and took the mounting portion. Had to cut off part of the back then grind it to fit inside the square tubing, it's at about a 15 degree angle to match the angle of the rear windshield. I'm still waiting on a Destaco draw latch I bought on Ebay, but for now a little "safety" spring loaded pin I rigged up holds it shut. I'll grab some pics with the tire up on it tomorrow, I got this far and realised I don't even have extra lugs to keep my tire there yet lol


Oh and my tires are off because I realised I'm having some brake issues...one week after a big muddy offroad event, go figure lol. New shoes, pads and a can of brake clean and it'll be good to go.

just take one off each wheel...

So my tire carrier has been done for a few days now, just haven't got around to snapping a pic of it lol. I also made a front bumper but I really only have two pics of it so I'll put em in here lol. I bought the "Rustoleum Professional" spray paint and it worked well, dried good and fast. Only one spot where it spattered at the area has a bit of a rough texture (**** luck with paint lately...).

Anyways: everything is 1/4 wall except the push bar which is 3/8 plate with 1/4 tube. D ring tabs are 1/4+3/4 for a full 1" thick tab. Since I was limited on time and my drill press is a piece of junk I stuck with the stock three bolts on each side. I'll get a tie in plate and weld them together when I get some time...

What did you do for your latching mechanism on the rear swing?

I used a Destaco brand vertical latch, its way too small but I bought the wrong one and needed it finished. Also I made my own secondary safety latch by spring loading a bolt ground down like a pin and put a lever on it. Im out of state right now but ill get some pics when im back Wednesday.

Well, only bad thing is this takes up a ton of my view out the rear glass. It also covered all my stickers up lol.





Got about 1" clearance from the rear wiper arm.



Latch that's way too small lol. To undo my safety latch you just press down on the aluminum handle. It's attached to a bolt which I ground down so it's like a pin. Spring loaded inside the square tube so it locks by itself.



Had to relocate the license plate. Put rivnuts in for the plate, spaced with rubber grommets, I bought the lamp for 6 bucks at Advance Auto.

I love the plate set-up. Almost looks factory.

Thanks man. I tried to get it all lined up nicely. The rivnuts made for a nice clean install. The only problem is that stupid little light is so dim. Oh well...it's DOT stamped and i've fulfilled the legal requirement of a plate light so I'm not gonna change it lol. Oh...and it's chrome, which looks out of place lol.

Great Job!!! I'm wondern if the bulb can be replaced for an L.E.D. for brightness...

oh this is funny... i thought i was the only one to offset the spare... nice work!