zukrider
September 6th, 2013, 09:59 PM
typical to all new rigs a person acquires, i have been slewing over the available options of adding a real rear bumper to the X.
here we have a local available www.heftyfabworks.com rear bumper
http://www.heftyfabworks.com/shopping-cart.html#!/~/product/category=2434014&id=1525332
http://images.ecwid.com/images/98317/3725833.jpg
here we have another well established option, www.shrockworks.com
http://www.shrockworks.com/2005-2013-Xterra-Rear-Bumper-&-Spare-Tire-Carrier-pr-16160.htmlhttp://www.shrockworks.com/files/products/d_233.jpg
there really isnt any other mass produced options. and any others you will find are basically the same design. either way is $800+. now with this design, i really dont care for the short swing out, as you lose a lot of real estate because stuff to close to the pivot will impede the hatch from opening. also, its really just some press braked steel plate. i know people gotta eat, but damn, $800? as awesome as swipe, bolt, go sounds, i just cant do it.
they both can be bought with "modified" swing outs. they both can be bought with no swing out for less. but still!
So me being me, i do HOURS of research every night on off-road stuff. i have found a thread of a guy doing his own thing, well 2 actually.
THIS (http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=33538) thread from www.clubxterra.com is a great idea that was never fully gone through, as he decided to go a different route. but the basic foundation is excellent, and with some changes i have in mind, the result could be fantastic!
HERE (http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37687) he has the current version. i love how/who/what/why, but i am not interested in cutting into the plastic. and i also want the added space between the hatch and swing out to allow room for stuff.
also, there is the fact that i need a hitch to tow. all the factory and aftermarket stuff goes below the bumper and out a bit to allow for the spare tire.
like this
http://www.hitchsource.com/images/13514.jpg
i wheel way to hard to be dragging that anchor down stuff!
so i also need to integrate a hitch. i dont see the purpose of an all 3/16" rear bumper thats super heavy for no reason. i think ill keep the rear bumper, add a hitch, add tow points, and add a swing out! simple right!
HERE'S THE PLAN!!!!!!!!!
i am going to start with some 14" or so long by 4.5", 1/2" plate. these will use the 3 bolts for the factory rear bumper and extend to a 4th hole i found tonight. they will also stick through and out the bumper 3 or 4 inches for recovery points. there will also be a second piece of 1/2"x4.5" plate that goes enough to reach the 3 bolts, and matches the recovery end to make a full 1" point for my 3/4" clevis hooks. welded together of course. i believe these will be an excellent foundation to the rest of the setup. from here i plan to run some 2"x.250" square between the tow points to attach the hitch piece. the whole span will be just about flush to the bottom of the rear bumper to act as a dragging support. this will save the fragile stock bumper.
where im still floating is the swing out mount. i know that it will swing on the passenger side. pretty sure im going with 3/4" heims for the pivot cause i have them. and i like that they allow vertical adjustment. i just have not settled to the way of adding it. i was thinking of attaching a base to the outside face of the frame, and run a kicker over to the side, but inside the plastic corner. and have the top and bottom tabs stick out the corner. will look super clean. was thinking that it may work well to have it be a top tab, bottom tab, and a center of 1x2" in the middle to separate the heims. this way i can just tighten it with a bolt and locknut. simple!
what say you?
here we have a local available www.heftyfabworks.com rear bumper
http://www.heftyfabworks.com/shopping-cart.html#!/~/product/category=2434014&id=1525332
http://images.ecwid.com/images/98317/3725833.jpg
here we have another well established option, www.shrockworks.com
http://www.shrockworks.com/2005-2013-Xterra-Rear-Bumper-&-Spare-Tire-Carrier-pr-16160.htmlhttp://www.shrockworks.com/files/products/d_233.jpg
there really isnt any other mass produced options. and any others you will find are basically the same design. either way is $800+. now with this design, i really dont care for the short swing out, as you lose a lot of real estate because stuff to close to the pivot will impede the hatch from opening. also, its really just some press braked steel plate. i know people gotta eat, but damn, $800? as awesome as swipe, bolt, go sounds, i just cant do it.
they both can be bought with "modified" swing outs. they both can be bought with no swing out for less. but still!
So me being me, i do HOURS of research every night on off-road stuff. i have found a thread of a guy doing his own thing, well 2 actually.
THIS (http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=33538) thread from www.clubxterra.com is a great idea that was never fully gone through, as he decided to go a different route. but the basic foundation is excellent, and with some changes i have in mind, the result could be fantastic!
HERE (http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37687) he has the current version. i love how/who/what/why, but i am not interested in cutting into the plastic. and i also want the added space between the hatch and swing out to allow room for stuff.
also, there is the fact that i need a hitch to tow. all the factory and aftermarket stuff goes below the bumper and out a bit to allow for the spare tire.
like this
http://www.hitchsource.com/images/13514.jpg
i wheel way to hard to be dragging that anchor down stuff!
so i also need to integrate a hitch. i dont see the purpose of an all 3/16" rear bumper thats super heavy for no reason. i think ill keep the rear bumper, add a hitch, add tow points, and add a swing out! simple right!
HERE'S THE PLAN!!!!!!!!!
i am going to start with some 14" or so long by 4.5", 1/2" plate. these will use the 3 bolts for the factory rear bumper and extend to a 4th hole i found tonight. they will also stick through and out the bumper 3 or 4 inches for recovery points. there will also be a second piece of 1/2"x4.5" plate that goes enough to reach the 3 bolts, and matches the recovery end to make a full 1" point for my 3/4" clevis hooks. welded together of course. i believe these will be an excellent foundation to the rest of the setup. from here i plan to run some 2"x.250" square between the tow points to attach the hitch piece. the whole span will be just about flush to the bottom of the rear bumper to act as a dragging support. this will save the fragile stock bumper.
where im still floating is the swing out mount. i know that it will swing on the passenger side. pretty sure im going with 3/4" heims for the pivot cause i have them. and i like that they allow vertical adjustment. i just have not settled to the way of adding it. i was thinking of attaching a base to the outside face of the frame, and run a kicker over to the side, but inside the plastic corner. and have the top and bottom tabs stick out the corner. will look super clean. was thinking that it may work well to have it be a top tab, bottom tab, and a center of 1x2" in the middle to separate the heims. this way i can just tighten it with a bolt and locknut. simple!
what say you?