I labored over this for months. REALLY wanted to go with some little guys, considered the usual suspects but ultimately settled on the C4. Put in my order last week. I just feel great about the full-replacement aspect and how well-constructed and thought-out they seem in the install videos. Caleb was very responsive and was cool with some oddball requests too.

Flimsy is the last word I’d use to describe their products, and I’ve owned rear carriers from a number of manufacturers now (on both Toyota and Jeep).

That said, the current swing outs I’m running have prototype folding tables so the tire and gas cans do stick out further than normal, may be what you’re seeing. I had some concerns at first cause I would get some spare tire wobble, mostly on the freeway, of all places. However I think I've narrowed it down to my rear coils.. I was overloading them more than I thought. I just swapped in some super heavy linear rate coils and it dramatically reduced the wobble.

Either way, their standard swing outs are fine, and more or less conserved across all their bumpers. To be clear it doesn’t rattle or bend, it’s a wobble you get at certain speeds when things start to harmonize, happens with just about any bumper/carrier holding a load, from my experience (just trying to be educational for those who haven’t had a bumper/carrier before). Maybe some other folks will chime in on that.

And yea, the vehicle walk around isn’t a bad idea, I have way too many videos to make right now haha.

A few more of the 4x4 Labs rear bumper, pulled from my build thread to show the clearances on an otherwise stock 4Runner, another shortly after new suspension. I haven't taken any shots of the bumper specifically but I can next time I'm out.

Edit: the cutouts in the side of the bumper just forward of the carrier spindles are for a hi-lift style jack, we've used them and they work well.

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I'm leaning more to that C4. Just watched their youtube installation and it really looks like a solid product.

question I have is dual vs Single arm swing out. Other than parking tandem, any advantages to the dual? If anyone has the single arm swing out I'd love to hear your thoughts and why you chose.

Thanks,.

That puts the spare so far out though, makes the truck even longer. With the Shrockworks bumper, my 4Runner still fits in the garage even with my workbench in front of it. It also seems like people are more likely to re-end you because they can't tell from straight behind how far out that tire sticks.

Picture of my Shrockworks bumper with 1 gas can attached (instead of 2 like above):


With no gas cans at all:

Decent clearance with the gobi ladder?

The clearance on that bumper is insane! I'm not going to lie, my biggest hang up on the looks is the piece that ties in under the tail light, it stands out to me when I look at it. That said, my 4Runner is black so it most likely won't be noticeable since it'll blend in. I am going to have to give them a second look. Thanks for sharing the pics.

For sure, like they were made to work with each other. I absolutely love this combo and wouldn't hesitate at all recommending both.

I've pretty much eliminated CBI based off of their less than stellar business practices and lack of QC and customer service. I still like the Shrockworks for it's simplicity and for the fact that they are a local company. My only beef with it is how low they hang and the spare appears to sit pretty far out from the back of the vehicle. I'll have to see one in person to truly vet it.

The C4 is without question the best looking and it appears to be a well thought out design, I am still hung up on the price but I can come to grips with that in time lol. I am giving the 4x4 Labs a second look after seeing the pics posted here by another member, it looks extremely high clearance.

The spare sits as close as possible on the Shrockworks. It really can't get much closer.

Would you be willing to take pic from the side profile to show that?

Sure, here you go...
This is the gap:

Not the best picture, couldn't hold the tape measure and the phone properly, but there is actually less than 8" between the tire and the hatch:

Only about an inch and a half from the Gobi ladder:

BUT... the mount is adjustable, so I have room to move the tire even closer if I wanted to, I'd say I still have more than an inch left to move back:


I just looked to see when I put the bumper on, I installed in January 2017. So, I've had it for 2 years now and in that 2 years I've done a LOT of trails, camping, etc. Never once have I had any issues with this bumper. I've even towed with it's hitch receiver many times without issue. I can't speak for the other bumpers out there, but I can tell you, you won't be disappointed with the Shrockworks one.

Stock spare location work with any of these?

If you have swing arms can you remove them for regular daily use and just toss them on when needed?

The stock spare location is not effected by the bumper, so you can continue using it. Yes, you can remove the swing arm, but it's not that easy. I remove the gas can holder, but leave the spare on unless I am going out on a very long trail or overnight.