BrianSD_42
New member
Rear tire carrier also usually adds about 18"+ of length to your truck. That's a lot when you're parking.
Rear tire swing - regrets?
- Thread starter Renton4runner
- Start date
marmot
New member
I've used a Rockstomper rear bumper for about 16 years now. I think it remained the only rear bumper he built for a 3rd gen. It might have been the 1st attempt for any off-road company to build a rear bumper as a product for the 3rd gen market. I used a rear spare tire rack on it for about the first 3 years or so. The rest of the years I stored the full-size spare in the cargo area (ratcheted down for safety of course).
In my case I was fine with putting the spare tire in the cargo area because it didn't bother me with the space it took up there. I'd have to say I enjoyed being able to see out the back again after a few years of having it on a rack back there. Plus without the rack, it wasn't in the way to scrape it off of big ledges on the really tough trails in Moab.
My biggest regret was allowing the builder to use a trailer axle as a hinge. The rack had a fair amount of vibration. One of my reasons for removing it was that so many people on Pirate 4x4 and other off-road forums said their trailer axle hinge fatigued and broke off after a while. For safety reasons I'm glad I removed mine before it broke off. For anyone who really wants a spare tire rack back there, it's MUCH smarter to use a hinge that has supports on both the top and bottom, which is a double shear hinge. Don't use a trailer axle, even if you have managed to find an extra heavy duty one. Any trailer axle hinge is still only supported on one side, which means it's only a matter of time before it fatigues. There are multiple sources to get a good hinge - just do a web search for a double shear spare tire rack hinge.
In my case I was fine with putting the spare tire in the cargo area because it didn't bother me with the space it took up there. I'd have to say I enjoyed being able to see out the back again after a few years of having it on a rack back there. Plus without the rack, it wasn't in the way to scrape it off of big ledges on the really tough trails in Moab.
My biggest regret was allowing the builder to use a trailer axle as a hinge. The rack had a fair amount of vibration. One of my reasons for removing it was that so many people on Pirate 4x4 and other off-road forums said their trailer axle hinge fatigued and broke off after a while. For safety reasons I'm glad I removed mine before it broke off. For anyone who really wants a spare tire rack back there, it's MUCH smarter to use a hinge that has supports on both the top and bottom, which is a double shear hinge. Don't use a trailer axle, even if you have managed to find an extra heavy duty one. Any trailer axle hinge is still only supported on one side, which means it's only a matter of time before it fatigues. There are multiple sources to get a good hinge - just do a web search for a double shear spare tire rack hinge.
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A.Wilson013
New member
Hey man-
You drove mine, so you know what to expect for loss of visibility. With your wheels it'll be even worse as they have less of a "spoke" design to see through. Honestly, it never bothered me, but you could mount the tire in the lowest position to open up more of the window. Some blind spot mirrors on the sideview mirrors were enough for me. We can figure out a better backup cam too- mine sucked.
As for options I really enjoyed the table, and I told you how much money I saved with the dual jerry can holder covering the license plate for the toll cameras =p. Not a big impact for your commute, but maybe once they start tolling downtown, or if you want to take 520 to the games this season.
I think the camp light is dumb.
I've seen a whole lot of 3rd gen swingout bumpers. In my biased opinion, nothing compared to the CBI. It's a damn work of art.
You drove mine, so you know what to expect for loss of visibility. With your wheels it'll be even worse as they have less of a "spoke" design to see through. Honestly, it never bothered me, but you could mount the tire in the lowest position to open up more of the window. Some blind spot mirrors on the sideview mirrors were enough for me. We can figure out a better backup cam too- mine sucked.
As for options I really enjoyed the table, and I told you how much money I saved with the dual jerry can holder covering the license plate for the toll cameras =p. Not a big impact for your commute, but maybe once they start tolling downtown, or if you want to take 520 to the games this season.
I think the camp light is dumb.
I've seen a whole lot of 3rd gen swingout bumpers. In my biased opinion, nothing compared to the CBI. It's a damn work of art.
SpidermanGeek
New member
No.1 reason why I wouldn't get one for my rig. And also why I would never get a roof rack nor a front bumper. Hell, I'm happy I have a Phase 1 third gen with the snub nose bumper, 'cause it may have been an issue otherwise.
My garage is 22'x10' with a 7'x8' door. I clear the top of the door with about 5" to spare with my OME lift and 33" tires. Lengthwise, if I leave myself just a few inches at the door, that leaves me about 5' or 6' at the back of the garage where the door to get into my house and my workbench is. It's a tight squeeze for my otherwise stock 4Runner while still giving me some room to do stuff at my workbench. I also have my recycling and garbage bin there.
I don't park it much in there as it's mainly used for the car during the winter, but I like knowing that if I had to park the 4runner in there to either do some work on it or simply to keep it out of sight if I'm away on vacation, I can do so.
It wouldn't be possible with a rear tire swing & bumpers
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IBallEngineer
New member
The reason those trailer spindles fatigue is because they get welded directly to the bumper. If you weld a sleeve to the bumper and "pin" the spindle instead, it won't break. Double shear is fine too, but doesn't always work with a body design and tends to look a little goofy.
I carry a 35" tire and a 6 Gallon Blitz can of water and I don't have any vibration or "wobble" with my spindle mounted carrier. And it is on pivot point with the 45lbs of water at the furthest distance possible.
If your bumper is mounted to the frame, and the design is good, why do you need better body mounts? I get that the mounts are squeaky and there is some movement, but how does that help the bumper and carrier stay put?
In fairness to the above post, I did break a welded spindle mounted carrier off once while loading up at Costco. Had to lift the whole thing in to the back of my rig while my then 4 year old son whined at me for taking too long. That bumper lived for 5 or 6 years and saw a lot of awesome trail time. The pinned bumper has been there ever since, probably 12 or 13 years.
For the OP, side view mirrors work fine for any driving situation if you plan for it. Visibility Schmizibility! You gotta look cool on the trail man!
:decision:
Sean K.
New member
I also vote rear camera.
If I didn't have to....I wouldn't have gone swing out tire mount. It's more inconvenient to open the cargo hatch, it makes the vehicle longer, it can hurt departure in steep situations....but I dont' have much choice. Current tire location is not only too small for my spare (37") but the fuel cell is going there to make room for the XX 4 link and I'm moving the rear axle back 4-7". 37's too big to fit inside and would kill interior cargo room....so I'm stuck with either not building something with that size tire or living with the spare being back there. For more serious trails where overall length and departure angle are issues, I'll likely just carry a good plug kit and use OBA to handle tire situations and leave the tire and rack back at camp.
If I didn't have to....I wouldn't have gone swing out tire mount. It's more inconvenient to open the cargo hatch, it makes the vehicle longer, it can hurt departure in steep situations....but I dont' have much choice. Current tire location is not only too small for my spare (37") but the fuel cell is going there to make room for the XX 4 link and I'm moving the rear axle back 4-7". 37's too big to fit inside and would kill interior cargo room....so I'm stuck with either not building something with that size tire or living with the spare being back there. For more serious trails where overall length and departure angle are issues, I'll likely just carry a good plug kit and use OBA to handle tire situations and leave the tire and rack back at camp.
Renton4runner
New member
Thank you everyone(including Alex who is in 4Runner retirement) for posting pictures and adding your 2 cents. I got some decisions to make!
rkntoy
New member
Definitely something to think about. I tried to keep departure angle in mind when I built my second swing out. My favorite part has been my box so far.
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theesotericone
New member
No regrets. I always use my my mirrors regardless of what I'm driving so the increase in the blind spot isn't a big deal to me. The ability to have everything I need on my rig for trips is the big plus. This is a dual swing out Savage. No shakes, no noises, no problems with the install. It's well thought out and well put together. I've haven't had it for long but I've beaten it up pretty good wheeling in the time it's been on my rig.
Road Bull
Senior Member
Am I the only one not seeing your pics now?
theesotericone
New member
WTF Google? Sorry man. I have no idea what's going on. I'll dump Google Photo's and go to imgur of Flickr. Can you check my build thread and see if you can see them there? Thanks man. I'll attach the photo in case others are having the same issues.
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Badass set up. I to have a savage rear bumper. And like I said. I can buy the other swingout, add ons whenever .I can switch the tire carrier to passenger or driver side whenever. I can adjust the height and angle of the tire whenever. Not to mention it's a light bumper. But.... with roof rack. I mount my gas cans on top. And hi lift in the trunk.
Renton4runner
New member
Can anyone confirm if the Savage bumper blocks tolls cameras in Washington? This is a definite thing to consider in Seattle area...
theesotericone
New member
Like blocks the view of the license plate? If so you can put the plate anywhere along the swing arm. I put mine over on the right side because that was the shortest run of wire to wire the light. lol
No. I got a ezpass fine before. They had a clear view of my license plate. If that helps you.
