I would probably just take off the hitch when wheelin' or only put it on when towin'.

 

I do more towing than I do heavy rock crawling where the difference in departure angle with the hitch would be a factor

Max tow weight with the hitch incorporated in the bumper was like 1300-1500 lbs. Hitch is like 5000 lbs

I tow sleds, motorcycles and a trailer, didn't want to worry about tow capacity.

Matt and I disscussed it, and we both decided that I wouldn't lose that much on the departure angle, and If I was ever hitting a trail that i was worried about, It just bolts off, so no biggie.

I figured this decision would bound to have some people scratching their heads...

For me it was basically not an option.

 

How much did it run you? It's a beautiful rear. I'm jealous.

 

Why was the tow rating that low? Does the bumper mount using the bolts for the tow hitch or the factory bumper mouns? Is it all sheet metal or is any of it metal tubing?

 

The bumper is strong, real strong...no doubt, but

When comparing it to the hitch itself you can really see a difference.

The hitch looks like a single forged piece of steel with 3 or 4 (I can't remember) bolts holding it on to each side to the frame.

The bumper does mount to the frame in the same spots as the hitch, but was cut from from hollow 2x4 looking steel. It has been welded together, grinded down smooth, and painted to give it the apperance of a solid piece. It is strong enough to pull me out, or others using the shackle ring mounts or for a shackle reciever in the hitch (if I had it). I wouldn't want to test it hauling a heavy trailer, or small boat.

I guess the real reason is the liability for Matt like someone else mentioned in this thread.

Matt can't give the "OK" for towing because, some idiot down the road is going to try and tow an absurb LBS load for an extended distance. What if something came loose on a mountain pass? desoryed some property or worse killed someone. I don't think he wants to get sued.

I don't want to find out the exact threshold of the towing capacity of his hitch is...I mean if Matt tells me the hitch is primarily for recovery only, maybe some light towing, I listen.

For me, most of the trails are closed 8 months of the year, and I am navigating snow, not rocks. I may lose a little of the departure angle, but it is not much of a concern. I would rather have the rear mount for the tire and have my hi-lift off the roof.

Since my runner is both my primary vehicle and my trail rig, I have to make concessions about what I need. I need to go snowmobiling and ride motorcycles, maybe haul a buddys boat. Don't need increased departure angle.

When I do, I will buy an FJ and call it good. Please don't rip me a new one when i say this but, It seems if anyone is truely serious about wheeling, they will have a dedicated trail rig with a solid front axle, not a 4runner.

Cringe, waiting for some retaliation

 

I couldn't agree more with your reasoning DSP! I figure by the time my kids are old enough to drive, my 4Runner now will be my trail only rig! And I might be through modding it by then!

 

:fireman:

Nice flame Wabbit...

Maybe I'll go :beach:

Do you really think there will be a time when you are all done modin'?

I don't want to think about it...

 

No flaming from me. Just questions. I have a custom rear bumper from Tom at Trailcarnage. It bolts to the factory hitch mounts (3 per side). The back portion of the bumper is 2x4 3/16" tubing while the sides are 3/16" steel. The hitch portion fits through the tubing and is welded on btoh sides. The gussets for the side and where it bolts to the frame, hold it very snug. It only goes on and comes off oneway and it is a tightfit. I was just curious about the towing ability of your bumper is all.

I don't do any seriously hardcore offroading and my 4Runner is technically my only vehicle. I do have the Z-71 for work and I can use it too, but the 4Runner is really it. My wife drives the 4Runner also, so safety and realiability are priority. I would like to think that departure angle matters to me, but for the wheeling I do, it really doesn't.

 

Just a thought, I seem to have a vauge remembrance of someone saying they had turned their hitch over and re-mounted it upside down. This appearently put the square opening smack in the middle of the bumper, and got the hitch out of the way for wheeling. Perhaps it would be possible to cut a hole for it it the bumper and weld it in there too. Add more strength to the bumper at the same time?

 

Cool...Funky idea...

just went out to inspect the hitch and so on...

not gonna happen, looks like the reciever part of the hitch would actually come out somewhere in the panel of the rear tailgate, a little too far up the rig...

but possibly on an earlier gen?

 

Possibly the person to whom he was referring had a body lift. I remember someone doing this, but I don't recall who it was either.

I have serious bumper envy for a lot of people. I really, really want to build my own bumper someday!

-Sherpa

 

Tell us how much already!

 

You are going to want to be sitting when he tells you....

I have a really good idea of the price.

-S

 

it is possible to flip the hitch over on the 3rd gens. it won't come out in the hatch, you can do it with the stock bumper you just have to trim it.

 

bump for price.

 

yeah - you keep avoiding the price requests. I'd guess $1500.

John

 

my guess is about $1800... just the tire carrier is $450 W/O powdercoating.


rockware makes them ON THE RIG ONLY and WILL NOT SHIP. you have to go to CO and have it built on the rig then drive it home.

 

Rockware bills at 60 bucks an hour.

They bid a bumper with carrier at 3 days from pieces to painted.

Rockware will not ship, it has to be done on site.

Matt has made me a great bumper and then tweaked it to make it better.

Steve's bumper is a shipped bumper with a price competative to the on site bumpers.

 

Midiwall on this board flipped his hitch upside down, I think he's got pics up on his site. He had to cut a hole in the stock bumper for it to work, from what I remember.

 

Holy old thread...