Review: 4xInnovations Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier

[Chim]

How do you guys like the latch mechanism? Secure? Locking? Have any detailed pictures?

[MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION]
@Chim

Latch is super quick, simple and solid! Its easy to use even when opening for groceries. I don't have detailed pics but in my old pics you can see the bar that the latch connects to. Then the next pic shows the handle and lock pin. It basically wraps over the bar and the spring pin keeps it in the locked upright position.

 

[JohnMc]

The latch talk reminded me. If I were going to order one again (which obviously, I'm not) I think I'd get the tire carrier reversed, swing on the driver side, latch on the passenger side. Two reasons:
- The tire would be moved over to the driver's side as well. This would get is slightly more out of the sightlines of the driver. Not so much when looking out the rear view mirror, but when looking backward while reversing, your sightline tends to be more out that side.
- It would be more compatible with a swing-out hitch mount bike carrier. Every single one I've found swings to the passenger side, and when combined with the swingout tire carrier you end up with a conflict. We bought one and had it modified (extended the swingout arms, plus extended the vertical beam for more off roading clearance with bikes mounted), but with them going opposite directions it would be better.

 

[Unner]

How do you guys like the latch mechanism? Secure? Locking? Have any detailed pictures?

[MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION]
@Chim

Latch is very secure. If the pictures Chim posted aren't clear on how it works I can get some more. It does require two hands, but that makes it all the more secure. It's not like I frequently open the hatch for normal driving purposes. If I have something with me most likely it's just going in the backseat unless I've got a bunch of stuff or passengers.

The latch talk reminded me. If I were going to order one again (which obviously, I'm not) I think I'd get the tire carrier reversed, swing on the driver side, latch on the passenger side. Two reasons:
- The tire would be moved over to the driver's side as well. This would get is slightly more out of the sightlines of the driver. Not so much when looking out the rear view mirror, but when looking backward while reversing, your sightline tends to be more out that side.
- It would be more compatible with a swing-out hitch mount bike carrier. Every single one I've found swings to the passenger side, and when combined with the swingout tire carrier you end up with a conflict. We bought one and had it modified (extended the swingout arms, plus extended the vertical beam for more off roading clearance with bikes mounted), but with them going opposite directions it would be better.

The main reason most of the swingouts swing in that direction would be to keep you out of way of the flow of traffic in the event you have to open the swingout, change the tire, or whatever on the side of the road. Assuming you pull to the right of the road like you would in 95% of situations. I'm sure they could build it reverse though if you asked.

 

[IsaiahC]

Yeah... I don't really sleep. I should try to get to bed at a respectable hour, but, I love burning candles on both ends. LOL.

And what can I say, we have good taste! I try to research the hell out of things I add to my rig. And this is a big one.

I am wondering just what this would do to my LC 7 wraps. I currently love the way my 4runner sits and rides, but that is a hefty weight increase. 861s seem like the go-to springs, but I wonder if some use 8 or 9 wraps LC coils.

I still run my 8 wraps and they ride just fine. No more squirrely with the bumper than without. There is still a respectable amount of rake too

 

[JohnMc]

The main reason most of the swingouts swing in that direction would be to keep you out of way of the flow of traffic in the event you have to open the swingout, change the tire, or whatever on the side of the road. Assuming you pull to the right of the road like you would in 95% of situations. I'm sure they could build it reverse though if you asked.

I certainly understand why that's the default (like the sliding doors on vans). Just saying that anyone who wants to use a hitch mounted bike rack will find it to be a real PITA to deal with, assuming you want to have the rack, and the swingout, and still be able to open the rear hatch with only a modest amount of hassle.

We have a different bike rack that folds down, but the vertical portion is still too tall to allow the swingout to open when it's folded down.

The sightlines issue is modest, but something that happens a lot more than stopping on a busy road and opening the rear hatch. When you turn around and look over your right shoulder out the rear window, you're looking mostly at the tire on the passenger sid.

FWIW, in Japan where 4Runners (Hilux Surfs) have factory mounted rear spares, they're on the driver's side, not the passenger side.

Just some food for thought, I'm very happy with my bumper, it's just that if I'd thought of this before we had them built, I'd be even happier.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I certainly understand why that's the default (like the sliding doors on vans). Just saying that anyone who wants to use a hitch mounted bike rack will find it to be a real PITA to deal with, assuming you want to have the rack, and the swingout, and still be able to open the rear hatch with only a modest amount of hassle.

We have a different bike rack that folds down, but the vertical portion is still too tall to allow the swingout to open when it's folded down.

The sightlines issue is modest, but something that happens a lot more than stopping on a busy road and opening the rear hatch. When you turn around and look over your right shoulder out the rear window, you're looking mostly at the tire on the passenger sid.

FWIW, in Japan where 4Runners (Hilux Surfs) have factory mounted rear spares, they're on the driver's side, not the passenger side.

Just some food for thought, I'm very happy with my bumper, it's just that if I'd thought of this before we had them built, I'd be even happier.

Probably because they drive and park on the left side of the road, opposite of us? Makes sense!

 

[Road Bull]

I still run my 8 wraps and they ride just fine. No more squirrely with the bumper than without. There is still a respectable amount of rake too

Care to post some pics?

 

[JohnMc]

Probably because they drive and park on the left side of the road, opposite of us? Makes sense!

And the driver's side is on the opposite of the car. So the factory spare tire swingout is on the same side (right) as this is, even though we drive on the opposite side.

Driver's side was certainly a confusing term to use in my post, I'll admit.

/\ /\ /\ Swings to the driver's side, not the passenger's side.

 

[MattJakobs]

Latch is very secure. If the pictures Chim posted aren't clear on how it works I can get some more. It does require two hands, but that makes it all the more secure. It's not like I frequently open the hatch for normal driving purposes. If I have something with me most likely it's just going in the backseat unless I've got a bunch of stuff or passengers.

If you wouldn't mind, please.

I don't use the back hatch all that much either but seeing as the 4Runner is my DD, I'd like it to be pretty easy for convenience sake.

 

[Scramble]

[MENTION=125059]IsaiahC[/MENTION], @Chim, [MENTION=114619]cbr900boy[/MENTION], [MENTION=116387]Unner[/MENTION]

Thanks for posting!

It's always good to hear people that are happy with their gear and experiences getting and using it. I liked the modular aspect offered by the Savage rear bumper, but I had a chance to see Chim's bumper in person and I was impressed. It looked stout, and incorporated all the options I am interested in at a fair price.

Are most of you using 861s? To compensate for the added weight? I currently have 7 wraps LC coils. I do like the raked stance. I would also look at putting in the Sonoran Steel body mounts right off the bat to avoid body flex contact.

[MENTION=114619]cbr900boy[/MENTION] did you want the 1" BL in general, or for bumper clearance buffer?

I have 8 wraps & bought them knowing that someday I'd buy a swing out bumper. Many people were happy with that set up when I was researching old threads here. It will reduce my stink bug look & I'm fine with that.

 

[Unner]

If you wouldn't mind, please.

I don't use the back hatch all that much either but seeing as the 4Runner is my DD, I'd like it to be pretty easy for convenience sake.

I'll try and get some for you later today.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

And the driver's side is on the opposite of the car. So the factory spare tire swingout is on the same side (right) as this is, even though we drive on the opposite side.

Driver's side was certainly a confusing term to use in my post, I'll admit.

/\ /\ /\ Swings to the driver's side, not the passenger's side.

Point taken, didn't realize that they're RHD but either way the swing out would be opening into the side of passing traffic for JDM Surfs, so that's interesting that they'd design it that way from a safety aspect.

 

[Road Bull]

Man... at times I wish their was a build thread excel page that listed components for people's builds.

Ideally it would be searchable and you'd have the ability to click on, let's say 4X Innovations rear bumper and the returns could be filtered to cross check against other equipment. This way, without playing memory, you could get a list of build threads of people using a combination of equipment you are researching.

Keep the 4X Innovations rear swing out pics coming.

This thread has been a great resource.

 

[Rimcrew]

Does anyone have a pic of the fold down cook tray?

 

[Unner]

Man... at times I wish their was a build thread excel page that listed components for people's builds.

Ideally it would be searchable and you'd have the ability to click on, let's say 4X Innovations rear bumper and the returns could be filtered to cross check against other equipment. This way, without playing memory, you could get a list of build threads of people using a combination of equipment you are researching.

Keep the 4X Innovations rear swing out pics coming.

This thread has been a great resource.

This is a great idea. I spend a lot of time researching my parts before I buy them and this would make it a little easier.

 

[JohnMc]

We did use the 'two bumpers at once' discount, but on two rear bumpers, since we have two 4Runners:

Front bumper at some point (maybe this year?) but 4Runners need bumpers at the rear far more than the front. The extra overhang in the rear, plus the spare underneath, hampers off roading far more than the front where the overhang is pretty minimal.

That said, I've tweaked my front bumper pretty well a couple of times, dragging the plastics along ledges, it's a bit crooked now.

 

[habanero]

At least the front bumper is connected to the frame!

Adam is great to work with, what we're looking at for the front is a tiny bit different than what he's got on the website and he's been very helpful. As a company in general I've been very happy with all of our interactions and the results.

I have nothing negative to say about 4xInnovations rear bumper with swing-out, would buy again without hesitation.


A note of personal experience that doesn't affect many of you but if you want a swing-out bike rack and a swing-out tire carrier of any brand:
If you do have a swingout bike rack I have to agree, having the tire swing out to the left would require less to no modification to the rack (though yes on a hitch extension, possible drop extension based on the height of the bottom part of the rack). None of that has to do with the validity of 4xInnovation's design, just something to consider if you have a hitch rack and need to access the rear often. Our solution of modifying the rack to accommodate the tire swing to the right has been a reasonable solution. The non-swingout Thule Parkway with an extended drop hitch also worked okay, the swingout bike rack just gets the stuff out of the way- it does also require a hitch extender.
Wheeling with a swing-out rack is going to result in bending said rack. Like, say, at Mineral Creek. Oops. It's the price we pay for fun and games involving both 2 wheels and 4.
For our next wheeling trip we may have the Parkway's mast lengthened so the bike's wheels don't hit the ground so often and leave the swingout bike rack at home for daily/mile stuff.

 

[Unner]

[MENTION=109102]MattJakobs[/MENTION]

Here's a run down on the latch.

It's got several of these spring pins. Closed they look like this.
IMG_20170421_095222444 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
They pull open like so. There's a metal rod on the end that goes in and out of the hole to lock it into place.
IMG_20170421_095204274 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
Here's a side view of the latch in the closed position.
IMG_20170421_095244134 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
Here's the latch in the open position.
IMG_20170421_095230804 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

Here's the spring pin that locks the arm open at either 90* or about 110*. Notice there are two holes there. You can also drill another hole to lock the arm in the closed position if you want another layer of safety. I haven't done this since I don't think it's necessary.
IMG_20170421_095257847 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
IMG_20170421_095305393 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

Here's the bar the latch locks down onto. It rotates onto this on the bolt you see in the first picture.
IMG_20170421_095320797 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
Arm open, before rotating the latch over the bar.
IMG_20170421_095335300 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
Arm closed
IMG_20170421_095408359 by Unner Unner, on Flickr
IMG_20170421_095404495 by Unner Unner, on Flickr

Hope that helps!

 

[habanero]

I bought 2 extra pins from 4xI for a fair price after the hubby busted one side of the handle. In other words, they are available. For the record, it still worked fine and I've not broken either of mine. He's just more talented than I.

 

[IsaiahC]

Care to post some pics?

Also got hub measurements:
24" rear
23.25" front
That's with front and rear plate bumpers, winch, sliders, and ~200 lbs of tools/subwoofer.