The bit about putting the tire on the front comes from the tire racks I saw on the Rovers and Yota pick-ups the Brits and others are using in Afghanistan. It shouldn't pose a problem as long as there is a space between the tire and grille. There's a little fan under there that actually pulls air through the radiator. They put those on there so we don't have to keep the vehicle moving forward the whole while the engine is running. It will allow you to stop in traffic and such without overheating. Check it out sometime. I think you may even have one on your engine.
The wood idea needed elaboration. The wood (oak, tiger teak, and etc.), stiffened with t-bar and grooves will go behind the flimsy Japanese sheet metal to firm it up. In the day or so since that post, I've been into the back while I worked on my tailgate and found that this, and milling the shims is a viable idea. This type of construction works well in brutal marine conditions. I could use a fab'd brace but I'm capable of forming to wood to the exact shape of the sheet metal and it will fill those spaces well.
Financial aspect? The three little dots after the sentence mean that the sentence is wide open, probably meaning that if this gets too tricky, I'll get the Welder Valla a mile up the road here to work me up two new dandy pipe bumpers and racks. But working this out myself is part of the fun. We're here to have fun. Remember?
Bad taste? You're the one with the hot lime mini truck.
Call me dumb all you want. I wasn't asking for approval; just kicking ideas around to hear some other suggestions, if available. This was going to happen whether I met you or not.
Always gotta be one in the forum who feels a need to run the newbs off.
