Latch is super quick, simple and solid! Its easy to use even when opening for groceries. I don't have detailed pics but in my old pics you can see the bar that the latch connects to. Then the next pic shows the handle and lock pin. It basically wraps over the bar and the spring pin keeps it in the locked upright position.

The latch talk reminded me. If I were going to order one again (which obviously, I'm not) I think I'd get the tire carrier reversed, swing on the driver side, latch on the passenger side. Two reasons:
- The tire would be moved over to the driver's side as well. This would get is slightly more out of the sightlines of the driver. Not so much when looking out the rear view mirror, but when looking backward while reversing, your sightline tends to be more out that side.
- It would be more compatible with a swing-out hitch mount bike carrier. Every single one I've found swings to the passenger side, and when combined with the swingout tire carrier you end up with a conflict. We bought one and had it modified (extended the swingout arms, plus extended the vertical beam for more off roading clearance with bikes mounted), but with them going opposite directions it would be better.

Latch is very secure. If the pictures Chim posted aren't clear on how it works I can get some more. It does require two hands, but that makes it all the more secure. It's not like I frequently open the hatch for normal driving purposes. If I have something with me most likely it's just going in the backseat unless I've got a bunch of stuff or passengers.

The main reason most of the swingouts swing in that direction would be to keep you out of way of the flow of traffic in the event you have to open the swingout, change the tire, or whatever on the side of the road. Assuming you pull to the right of the road like you would in 95% of situations. I'm sure they could build it reverse though if you asked.

I still run my 8 wraps and they ride just fine. No more squirrely with the bumper than without. There is still a respectable amount of rake too

I certainly understand why that's the default (like the sliding doors on vans). Just saying that anyone who wants to use a hitch mounted bike rack will find it to be a real PITA to deal with, assuming you want to have the rack, and the swingout, and still be able to open the rear hatch with only a modest amount of hassle.

We have a different bike rack that folds down, but the vertical portion is still too tall to allow the swingout to open when it's folded down.

The sightlines issue is modest, but something that happens a lot more than stopping on a busy road and opening the rear hatch. When you turn around and look over your right shoulder out the rear window, you're looking mostly at the tire on the passenger sid.

FWIW, in Japan where 4Runners (Hilux Surfs) have factory mounted rear spares, they're on the driver's side, not the passenger side.

Just some food for thought, I'm very happy with my bumper, it's just that if I'd thought of this before we had them built, I'd be even happier.

Probably because they drive and park on the left side of the road, opposite of us? Makes sense!

Care to post some pics?

And the driver's side is on the opposite of the car. So the factory spare tire swingout is on the same side (right) as this is, even though we drive on the opposite side.

Driver's side was certainly a confusing term to use in my post, I'll admit.


/\ /\ /\ Swings to the driver's side, not the passenger's side.

If you wouldn't mind, please.

I don't use the back hatch all that much either but seeing as the 4Runner is my DD, I'd like it to be pretty easy for convenience sake.

I have 8 wraps & bought them knowing that someday I'd buy a swing out bumper. Many people were happy with that set up when I was researching old threads here. It will reduce my stink bug look & I'm fine with that.

I'll try and get some for you later today.

Point taken, didn't realize that they're RHD but either way the swing out would be opening into the side of passing traffic for JDM Surfs, so that's interesting that they'd design it that way from a safety aspect.

Man... at times I wish their was a build thread excel page that listed components for people's builds.

Ideally it would be searchable and you'd have the ability to click on, let's say 4X Innovations rear bumper and the returns could be filtered to cross check against other equipment. This way, without playing memory, you could get a list of build threads of people using a combination of equipment you are researching.

Keep the 4X Innovations rear swing out pics coming.

This thread has been a great resource.

Does anyone have a pic of the fold down cook tray?

This is a great idea. I spend a lot of time researching my parts before I buy them and this would make it a little easier.