Rear Bumper / tire Carrier: I want more options

[Terrapod]

I want a rear tire carrier. But...I do not want the associated weight that all the fabrication shops out there keep pushing. 150+ lbs for a rear bumper is crazy. Way more than needed, IMO.

So I ran across this thread. It's a very nice solution that I believe is the very thing I would like to do. HOWEVER...as the OP admitted, it can certainly be improved upon.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...re-fuel-carrier-build-using-stock-bumper.html

Personally speaking - this is a solid solution. I might even purchase an SR5 bumper cover to make this happen. Hell - I have seen them for as low as $150 unpainted.


Thoughts? Has any others out there tried this direction?

 

[Xtremluck]

I want a rear tire carrier. But...I do not want the associated weight that all the fabrication shops out there keep pushing. 150+ lbs for a rear bumper is crazy. Way more than needed, IMO.

So I ran across this thread. It's a very nice solution that I believe is the very thing I would like to do. HOWEVER...as the OP admitted, it can certainly be improved upon.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...re-fuel-carrier-build-using-stock-bumper.html

Personally speaking - this is a solid solution. I might even purchase an SR5 bumper cover to make this happen. Hell - I have seen them for as low as $150 unpainted.


Thoughts? Has any others out there tried this direction?

Is there a specific reason why you "need" a rear tire carrier? You can fit up to 285s in the stock spare tire location. Most of us with rear carriers / bumpers got them for the added protection while traveling off road. Which justifies in many cases the extra weight.

 

[Terrapod]

Is there a specific reason why you "need" a rear tire carrier? You can fit up to 285s in the stock spare tire location. Most of us with rear carriers / bumpers got them for the added protection while traveling off road. Which justifies in many cases the extra weight.

Added clearance and I plan on adding a table on the back of the arm.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Added clearance and I plan on adding a table on the back of the arm.

If you are looking for clearance then a full bumper is your best bet. Leaving the stock hitch with the tire carrier won’t help any for clearance since the hitch will be your depart angle limit.


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[Terrapod]

If you are looking for clearance then a full bumper is your best bet. Leaving the stock hitch with the tire carrier won’t help any for clearance since the hitch will be your depart angle limit.


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As said in the original post - I don't want the weight with the associated full bumper. Simpler is better if the same result is achieved.

 

[codyHTX]

if the same result is achieved, which it's not

 

[sn_85]

There are a few options.

Heftyfab Works has an aluminum rear bumper that I believe weights 60lbs. Might not be as strong as steel but you'll get the advantages of higher clearance.

Wilco Offroad sells a hitch mounted tire carrier.

I'd also pester RSG Offroad and let them know you're interested in their swing out tire carrier. Thread can be found here.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...tire-carrier-swing-out-*********thoughts.html

 

[JSparky]

May I ask if you’ve ever had a vehicle with a rear tire carrier? One that you daily drove?

They’re nice, but also a pain in the rear. I think most of us who install them require them for gear storage and body protection, otherwise it’s seen as an inessential added cost and, in a lot of ways, an inconvenience.

Do you tow a trailer regularly? If so that may impact thoughts on going aluminum. Just some food for thought.

 

[Jetboy]

I'm in the camp that the weight isn't worth it in most cases. Rear bumper clearance can usually be managed with driving skills. But not always. I also don't like the added weight.

For example this is a good video comparing how a more experienced driver (me - I'm more or less local to Fins and Things) to a newer one (I'm assuming based on the choice of line) on the steep drop in the first part of Fins and Things trail. Different angles, but you'll note that my 4runner just barely touches the bumper skid - without it I would drive through without touching the rear bumper at all. Skip to 11:00 in the first video to see the difference. The key here is the hard left turn at the bottom to allow the left rear tire to stay on the rock longer and change the effective angle of departure off the rock.

<iframe width="1269" height="714" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQAJVgdVN0Q" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Compare to:
<iframe width="1269" height="714" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sWkJPQZPIfc" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[STX4Runner]

As someone else said, the clearance will not be greatly improved without a full replacement bumper. I've constantly hit the hitch off roading and only occasionally hit the spare.

 

[Xtremluck]

Adding any hitch based tire carrier will reduce your departure angle. It will also:
1. Add unnecessary weight
2. Add an extra step to open your rear hatch
3. Reduce rear visibility

Hard for me to think of any advantages this would bring you.

EDIT: I just took a look at the post you linked. His solution is different than what I thought you were talking about. So you will still maintain your current departure angle and make no gains because of the stock hitch. The negatives listed above will still apply though.

 

[AlblineStar808]

for me i have a hi tuck exhaust so i can't mount any spare, i don't care to spend the amount on a full bumper, but i would like a tire carrier for trips when i might need a spare, and i like the look lol. i haven't pulled the trigger yet because no one has came up with a good solution for the rear camera and thats something i don't wanna lose. theres a company on FaceBook: Detours off road hardware that has 2 tire carriers and they are looking into a rear camera relocation fix

 

[HeartGuy]

I have seen them for as low as $150 unpainted.

Where?

 

[wfo9]

I still say clearance is not improved by a replacement bumper cover. There are alternative solutions that don't add much weight.

Yes the hitch.. but the bumpers (except 4x4 labs) don't replace the bumper. They cover it.

I wheel on a regular basis with a friend who has the 4x4 labs bumper. We clear almost the exact same amount in the rear. He has ever so slightly better departure in a straight on scenario with the lack of hitch, but it simply almost never matters as my rear end typically lifts up when the hitch drags. I could also remove the hitch if desired.

I did cut my rear corners though and added tubes for protection there, which is where most the clearance issues exists. My clearance ends up being a little better than his in the corners. I still keep the spare below, never had an issue with it there. Just keep a pizza cutter in there with low pressure. It gas hit or dragged about once or twice.

To be brutally honest. The rear carrier adds a lot of convenience and utility.. But from a pure performance and capability perspective.. better off not having one. The cantilevered weight is not good. However, the look is very popular.

 

[Zach_F]

I still say clearance is not improved by a replacement bumper cover.

Agree. I just don’t see any noticeable difference in clearance vs stock in most replacements, but they love to claim it. Your corner cuts are the most I’ve seen. Full cover doesn’t seem worth it.