Departure angle

Drew Dumas

Drew Dumas

New member
OK, after the lift in the front bumper my new weak link is my shallow departure angle . My options are $2000 for a new rear bumper or what looks to me to be a simple fix is to move the trailer hitch receiver up a few inches. As it sits now the trailer hitch receiver is bolted to the bottom of the frame and is the lowest point on the back of the vehicle. I figure if I plasma cut a 2 x 2 inch cut out in the rear bumper frame I should be able to weld in a hitch receiver maintaining the ability to tow a trailer but also increasing my departure angle. I understand the spare tire will still hang while while out on the trail I can put that spare tire on the roof rack. Anybody messed around with relocating the trailer hi how a few inches higher?
 
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Drew Dumas said:
OK, after the lift in the front bumper my new weak link is my shallow departure angle . My options are $2000 for a new rear bumper or what looks to me to be a simple fix is to move the trailer hitch receiver up a few inches. As it sits now the trailer hitch receiver is bolted to the bottom of the frame and is the lowest point on the back of the vehicle. I figure if I plasma cut a 2 x 2 inch cut out in the rear bumper frame I should be able to weld in a hitch receiver maintaining the ability to tow a trailer but also increasing my departure angle. I understand the spare tire will still hang while while out on the trail I can put that spare tire on the roof rack. Anybody messed around with relocating the trailer hi how a few inches higher?
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On the rear bumper I have we cut the whole rear crossmember out and integrated a new on in the bumper so I will assume if you do it correctly, it will increase departure angle. If you do it wrong, you will have a weakened rear crossmember.
 
bimrunner said:
On the rear bumper I have we cut the whole rear crossmember out and integrated a new on in the bumper so I will assume if you do it correctly, it will increase departure angle. If you do it wrong, you will have a weakened rear crossmember.
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Good to know, I appreciate it. By the way, I've been checking out your rear bumper (yeah, I know how that sounds) on here since I bought my 2010 TE 3 years ago. Best looking rear bumper on any 4Runner hands down. If I were you I would stay out of Savannah Ga because if I see your rig here I will be forced to take your bumper and leave an envelope of cash under your windshield wiper, you have been warned. All joking aside that thing is bad ass.
 
2 grand for a rear bumper!? WOW! I just got mine for a little over a grand WITH shipping from Utah!
 

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Ah. I was just after departure angle like you. The spare stays where it is. I did use a Beavertail receiver extension for the past year to help with it though. And help it did! In fact it is still there now. Take care.
 
I've done a bunch of departure challenged wheeling in my 5th gen. Yes, the rear hitch can hit, but who gives a crap. It can take the beating... The area of concern is the corners, not the hitch. I welded in tube support and cut the trim pieces back. Problem solved... I also run a skidmark on the hitch to give a little more protection.

Anyway, I have better clearance than most plate bumpers (with 4x4 labs being the exception) and no additional weight to lug around. Been really pleased with it.

The skidmark takes a bunch of hits each time I go out pushing it... My tubes have also taken a few hard hits, but the plastic cover is damage free so far. You will find that proper technique to clear difficult break overs ledges via angle of attack... will mostly expose the corners. Straight on attempts to difficult obstacles will mostly just have you hung up on the rear LCA mounts.
 

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wfo9 said:
I've done a bunch of departure challenged wheeling in my 5th gen. Yes, the rear hitch can hit, but who gives a crap. It can take the beating... The area of concern is the corners, not the hitch. I welded in tube support and cut the trim pieces back. Problem solved... I also run a skidmark on the hitch to give a little more protection.

Anyway, I have better clearance than most plate bumpers (with 4x4 labs being the exception) and no additional weight to lug around. Been really pleased with it.

The skidmark takes a bunch of hits each time I go out pushing it... My tubes have also taken a few hard hits, but the plastic cover is damage free so far. You will find that proper technique to clear difficult break overs ledges via angle of attack... will mostly expose the corners. Straight on attempts to difficult obstacles will mostly just have you hung up on the rear LCA mounts.
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i like the tube supports and trimmed bumper cover you have going...is your bumper cover unpainted? the close tone to the grey paint finish makes it hard to tell for sure from the photos, but it appears to perhaps be black...it looks good
 
apollo said:
i like the tube supports and trimmed bumper cover you have going...is your bumper cover unpainted? the close tone to the grey paint finish makes it hard to tell for sure from the photos, but it appears to perhaps be black...it looks good
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It's painted with bedliner and matches the fender flares....and other black parts of the truck. Looks pretty good and is durable.
 

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if you're cutting out that cross member make sure you are paying attention to the steel and wire you are using, i don't know where to find this but I bet its all at least 590MPa steel
 
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