New Southern Style Speed Rear Bumper Prototype Installed
- Thread starter fargo4x4
- Start date
SouthernSS
New member
I'm still working on a filler plate using thinner gauge steel that will bolt to the bumper and also to the body of the truck using pre existing bolt holes. I was a little under the gun to get this prototype developed so some finishing details are still to be done.
Land_Shark
New member
Great looking bumper and well thought out. Please tell us how you moved the factory camera!!! Or can we simple follow the instructions for the Lexus that were posted? I rigged up an aftermarket solution, but it's a bit cumbersome with the fold-away screen in the cab and all. Would love to get my factory camera moved!
Again, this thing looks great, nice job. Hope it sells well!
Again, this thing looks great, nice job. Hope it sells well!
fargo4x4
New member
We just did it last night i will get pics of it all asap! but we DID get it working i swear lol. The way we rigged the camera in the tire holder hole is still a little sunk in because i still see a portion of the rim when reversing and its not unbearable but it ignites my OCD lol
I basically followed the SSS instructions for camera relocating in their Lexus instructions but i will get pics of how that all turned out up here asap.
I also installed a license plate bracket a buddy fabbed up for me (shouts out to j-fab customs in the palm beach area) and got the license plate lit up so its coming along.
and thanks for the support on the new design!
Land_Shark
New member
Right on, thank you for taking the time to post about the camera - I think it will help a lot of folks out, myself included. Love your rig btw
fargo4x4
New member
Yes and yes... =) you remove a few bolts and the jerry can holder slides out of the arm and the shock and swing arm can also easily be removed in 3 minutes or so
Dark Lord
New member
Nice! I forgot one other question. Will this be available with the tire carrier on the driver side?
fargo4x4
New member
I dont think so since the majority of people want it on the passenger side. Is there any specific reason you would like it on the other side? Just wondering =)
lipek
New member
I'd like to see tire carriers on both sides sort of like the kaymar bumper for the fj
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LawnDart
Senior Member
At one point I considered carrying another fullsize spare under my CBI bumper, so I'd have two, but then I realized I was drinking too much and this was absurd for my needs.
lipek
New member
It's not for everyone that's for sure, I'd only needed few times a year, plus if the tire mounts are modular you can replace one with Jerry can mounts when needed.
The bumper looks nice. I like the side mounted ladder, but I'd be concerned that the ladder support would quickly result in a broken window. Would it be possible to have the a ladder with an easy mounting feature that lets you remove it quickly when you don't want it sticking off the side of the truck?
Dark Lord
New member
I want to be able to see through my rear window, and I don't see the benefit of having it on that side outside of weight distribution which even then I think with fuel cans on the back it won't make that big of a difference.
fargo4x4
New member
The ladder currently takes me no more then about 2 mins to remove so in a tight trail i can quickly take it off if need be..
Yes January is the most realistic target date still.
We banged the hell out of our prototype and exposed some imperfections when i purposely/accidentally dropped the rear end on some serious rocks meandering down some artificial off road structures trying to push the limits of the bumpers flexibility... haha... it EASILY passed the fenders avoiding any issues there but the tail light has a a slight crack not from the flex but from my not so smooth dismount of a big rock which caused the weight of the vehicle to kinda "crash" down on it for a quick second. But its performance overall was really awesome. (pics coming soon) I off roaded in the same place 6 months ago and used to bottom out on almost every rock last time so clearance compared to last time has been dramatically improved for sure. But I am just glad it was our rig and not any of yours lol. We head on a week or so overlanding/road trip ending in Maine today from Florida so well see how it does throughout this trip as well as a few rugged off road parks and trails we will be going on all through December.
LawnDart
Senior Member
Any chance you'll sell the camera relocation kit as its own item? This would work great on my CBI bumpers tire carrier if I take out the TRD rims center cap.
Let me know. I'd love a simple solution if it includes the mount and harness.
Pm me and let me know.
Let me know. I'd love a simple solution if it includes the mount and harness.
Pm me and let me know.
Check out what we did last night =p
A little late night innovation as we relocate the rear view camera to the spare tire swing arm... the black plastic piece is actually a sheet of kydex we cut to size and bolted the stock rear view camera to it =p
But of course on the production models you mentioned you will have a built in rear view camera holder that you can relocate your stock camera to right?
But for now our prototype will have to make do with this =p when i finish the wiring ill post more pics from the actual head units perspective
fargo4x4
New member
So quick update now that we are back from our East Coast trip to Maine (search the hashtag #FLtoMaine on Instagram to see shots from the trip and video coming soon!)
We trashed the hell out of our rear bumper on this trip but the bumper and fenders have experienced no damage at all and the bumper has yet to hit the fenders once... so far.
The bumper flex actually cracked our tail light a little but only because we dropped down a massive rock a little too quick and careless and ended up resting the whole weight of the vehicle on the rear bumper for about 1-2 seconds as we slid off causing it to push the bumper ALL the way up and it was a bit too much pressure for the tail light to take... So on production models SSS will improve the area around the tail light region to prevent this going forward. That being said we couldn't take a picture of the impact because it happened so fast lol but here is a pic of the taillight after the hit. Aren't you glad we are the test subject?! Haha that is why it is a prototype =)
Anywho
- the assist shocks provided by SSS worked great on the trip despite the cold weather and stress.
- The swivel mechanisms that control the swing arms performed awesome and were opened and closed probably over 50-75 times this week since we brought the dogs with us.
- Our DIY paint job held up nice except around the ladder so we will have to do a little touch up work there...
- The side ladder has a slight vibration at highway speeds but you cant hear it.. you can only see it from the side mirror and the rubber stopper never touches the vehicle until you begin to climb the ladder.
- The bumper makes absolutely no noise...
- the jerry cans do rattle a little when they are empty or close to empty...
When i clean the vehicle more thoroughly this weekend i will take apart the swing arms and thoroughly inspect the bearings and areas where we hit the bumper to see how it held up.
We trashed the hell out of our rear bumper on this trip but the bumper and fenders have experienced no damage at all and the bumper has yet to hit the fenders once... so far.
The bumper flex actually cracked our tail light a little but only because we dropped down a massive rock a little too quick and careless and ended up resting the whole weight of the vehicle on the rear bumper for about 1-2 seconds as we slid off causing it to push the bumper ALL the way up and it was a bit too much pressure for the tail light to take... So on production models SSS will improve the area around the tail light region to prevent this going forward. That being said we couldn't take a picture of the impact because it happened so fast lol but here is a pic of the taillight after the hit. Aren't you glad we are the test subject?! Haha that is why it is a prototype =)
Anywho
- the assist shocks provided by SSS worked great on the trip despite the cold weather and stress.
- The swivel mechanisms that control the swing arms performed awesome and were opened and closed probably over 50-75 times this week since we brought the dogs with us.
- Our DIY paint job held up nice except around the ladder so we will have to do a little touch up work there...
- The side ladder has a slight vibration at highway speeds but you cant hear it.. you can only see it from the side mirror and the rubber stopper never touches the vehicle until you begin to climb the ladder.
- The bumper makes absolutely no noise...
- the jerry cans do rattle a little when they are empty or close to empty...
When i clean the vehicle more thoroughly this weekend i will take apart the swing arms and thoroughly inspect the bearings and areas where we hit the bumper to see how it held up.
