What do you use for a rear bumper?

[mruta]

I'm daydreaming about getting some work done on my Jeep... Anyway, I'm trying to think of a strategy for a rear bumper. As of now, my Jeeps backside is original with a rusty crossmember and the drawbar setup. I would like to replace the xmember and eventually have some of those D-rings that Stan has on the front of his Jeep.

What do you guys do for a rear bumper? I was thinking about tossing the crossmember and welding in a fairly thick piece of 2x4 steel tubing. I would like to have something that sticks out an inch or two horizontally from the body so I'll be less likely to crunch sheetmetal if I come down on a rock or something.

Would I be better off replacing the x-member and then bolt something to it- like they do on TJ's?

What do you guys use?

Gracias,
mruta

[Boyink]

Hey Mike -


You could take some clues from the Cross Enterprises bumper:

http://www.boyink.com/Jeep/Images/052fcbd0.jpg

It does assume the rear crossmember is there, as it bolts on from the backside. Cross welds 1/4" plate steel in a couple spots on the backside of the 2x4 tubing, then taps threads all the way through, then the bolts come through the crossmember into those threads. No bolt heads show that way. It also has 2 "L" brackets that thread into the 2x4 in the same way, then bolts through the frame on each side.

Now if my tub just didn't have so much flex in it - you can wiggle the spare tire and see the body move... :roll:

[double R]

i did that 2x4x3/16 tubing welded at the rear, 4 feet long...i like the simplicity.

[Tomdobson]

In my 1st '73 a PO had made a bumper from a piece of 4" I beam. welded 3 2" square tubes to it about 6" long and then welded a 6" channel to it. He cut out the channel where the center square tube attached so he could use a receiver hitch. Worked great and was super strong. When a '65 Impala hit my rear at about 50mph, I took that bumper off and put it on my next jeep

[John O]

I have the 2x4 on my CJ7. Bumperettes on my CJ5.

[maxx]

that is a complicated question. some of the thoughts I have are about what happens if.... with the proliferation of high ground clearance grocery store parking lot berm jumping luxury SUV 4 wheel drive behemoths that never see a dirt road, I find myself looking in my rear view mirror alot when I drive my Jeep. there is little that will protect me in a rear end collision with one of the above barreling down on me.
Just a flimsy tail gate. I think a bumper that allows the spare to be put on the back, to the rear of the tailgate is smart. The structure that holds the spare to the rear passenger side is not inherintly strong especially when you mount a large wheel and tire.
mount it high, to avoid off road drag, bolt your spare on the back, make sure your tail/stop lights are unobstructed, but some metal between you (or me) and the cell phone dialing, starbucks guzzling suv driver who might rear end me would be a blessing while I am trying to get to the trail.

[60CJ5]

there is little that will protect me in a rear end collision with one of the above barreling down on me.
That is my biggest worry when I have the kids in the back seat. You have to really work at keeping the Bone-Heads off your butt. I kind of like the idea of dragging a cannon behind you like the MB guys do. :twisted:

[Tomdobson]

When I was rear ended by the '65 chevy, he kinked my frame above the rear axel and rode over my substantial bumper to push my tailgate and tub in. If we had stayed locked together, I could have layed my hand on his hook. Anyone in the back would have been killed. I don't know if any bumper would protect u in this case. I also had a rear mounted spare that absorbed some of the impact.

[mruta]

Thanks for the input guys. My main concern with regards to a rear bumper is not suriving a collision. I'm not driving right now so I won't feel bad saying that I don't have seat belts. They ARE in the works along with a full cage tied into the frame. My main needs for a bumper are: protection from rock impacts, possible place to mount a spare and other goodies, place to step up on and a solid mounting point for some D-rings. I think I'm starting to like the setup that Boyink has. I really wanted to get rid of the rear crossmember (using some 2x4 steel in it's place) but maybe it would be best to keep it in place. It would be kind of nice to be able to remove the bumper. Hmmmmm..... Mike, your bumper allows for a receiver in the middle, right?


mruta

[lynn]

I removed the thin, rusted stock crossmember. Replaced it with a 4"x4" x1/4" steel square tube.
To the top of this I've welded a substantial pivot for my swing-out, as well as mounted (bolted and welded) a 2" receiver to the bottom.

This square tube is bolted ("L" brackets) to the frame, as well as welded to the frame ends. In addition, I welded a 6" gusset to each side tying the framerail to the bumper.

I'll look for a pic.

[mruta]

I'll look for a pic.

Awesome. :beer:

[lynn]

Here's a pic, in the general album:

http://www.earlycj5.com/Forum/album_page.php?pic_id=167

Shows my old-style swingout pivot, welded to the face of the tube. The new one is welded to the top of the tube.

HTH

[Boyink]

Hmmmmm..... Mike, your bumper allows for a receiver in the middle, right?

Yes, Cross put about a 1/2" notch in the bottom of the tubing, then fit the reciever up into that, then added substantial gussets on each side.

The only thing he forgot was places to hook safety chains.

[Project71-5]

I'm planning on building one out of 2x4x3/16 tubing. I've replaced the rear crossmember with some 4x4x1/4 angle with L brackets welded to it and then bolted to the frame. The bumper I plan on making is going to be something like this
http://myweb.cableone.net/wdohrn/H8Bumper2.gif
;)
The front bumper will be the same, still deciding on if I want a front reciever mount.

[jeeper jeff]

Here's mine,
Pretty standard, 2 x 5 x 3/16 tube with a built in receiver. I wouldn't go any heavier than 3/16 wall on the tubing. The bumper gets heavy fast, especially if you plan to add a tire carrier later.

http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/fbf24685/bc/Hoffman%27s/Almost+finished/tire+carrier2.jpg?bcP6yL_AvaqEBwF7

[James P. Enderwies]

Replaced it with a 4"x4" x1/4" steel square tube.

Lynn: I was thinking of doing the same thing. A good friend of mine did the same on a totally built '86 full size Blazer. He did a really "trick" thing thou, he added air fittings and a 1/4 pipe drain and used it as an air tank! :) :) It worked great. He could get 2 tires off & on with his impact gun. :) Jim :beer:

[mruta]

I likey the H8PVMNT design- especially how the receiver doesn't rob clearance. Mind if I copy it?

mruta

[termin8ed]

Mine had the rusted out crossmember and a piece of about 2 1/2" x 1/4" thick angle iron for the new bumper/crossmember. It had a couple holed in it for hooking stuff to? It had the hitch ball on it too. I replaced my crossmember and didn't put it back on.

[Project71-5]

I found the H8PVMNT design over on JU so feel free to copy it ;)

[Flip]

I have been putting alot of thought into this myself and found a jeep fabrication webs with some good ideas and links to parts. Check it out
http://www.jeepfabrication.com

[53Flattie]

Here is a pic of the front that I made. It's a little like the H8PAVMNT design. I used 2 X 5 rectangular tubing just b/c I really like the Bulletproof bumpers (www.bulletproofmfg.com). The shackle tabs are 1" thick with a 3/4" hole (had to have a Hogen drill to do that). I cut the ends on an angle and welded flatbar in the holes to make it water/air tight. Overall, I'm very pleased with it.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/68822263/68950934vcZeKd

Here's the back bumper. A little simpler, since I didn't angle the edges. Same shackle tabs: (not a great picture, but you get the idea...)

http://community.webshots.com/photo/72089561/72090019dggcNH

[campwillys]

Back in 82 I came up with the idea to use my neighbors basketball post that they were taking down. (it was a teliphone pole) We put it on the back bumber. Looked cool but was too heavy so we cut it down the middle. and used 1/2 in front 1/2 in back. definately stood out from others.

[66cj5]

use an 5x5x3/8" angle iron for mine.

[Boyink]

Starting to feel like we have "Night of the Living Thread" going on here...
http://www.gonemovies.com/WWW/WanadooFilms/Thriller/nightZombies3.jpg