Stock Tail Lights and Bumper/Tire Carrier

I have been tossing around the idea of installing a rock-crawler type bumper on the rear of my 73 with a tire carrier that also has places for jerry can holders and a hi-lift jack. A potential problem I see is the location of the tail lights. The round ones are mounted below the gas filler, just above the rear crossmember. They look to be about in the location of where the tire carrier pivot mount and the latch are located. Has anyone mounted one of these type bumpers without modifying the tail lights? I don't really want to redo the body. Thanks.

 

Probably just make the carrier shorter than the bumper so the lights show?

 

Since I have a tailgate, the carrier can't be too much shorter than the distance between the lights or the tailgate won't open.
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It it possible to leave the tail lights in their stock position and still have a tire carrier.

The Kayline and Whitco tire carriers were available in the day, and neither of them required relocation of the filler or the lights. Cross Enterprises sells a pretty nice carrier that will not block the lights http://www.crossenterprises.com/cjyjtj.html - Don't know the status of their business; someone recently reported some delivery problems with them. But the carrier is a nice design.

Realize that if you have the factory lights, they often get smashed if you leave them where they are. There is no aftermarket supply for the cans (the lenses are available). Moving them might not be such a bad thing.

 

If it's just a light visibility issue might consider adding some auxiliary lights like LED style to the tire carrier. If it's a clearance issue then the tire carrier may need modifying or the lights moved. I agree with Timgr. I've wiped out too many lights on the '59-5 as they are still in the stock location. Even brush has popped up and broken the lenses or the housings.

 

I posted about the shipping issue.
I ordered a front bumper from them a little over two months ago.
Mike was extremely polite and helpful and said it would be about two weeks before it shipped out. Six weeks later, 4 un-returned messages and an email and I called to tell him I was canceling my order. He returned that message and said his wife had been in the hospital and he was juggling quite a bit. He informed me that my bumper was ready to be picked up from powercoat and then shipped out. That was three weeks ago, an additional message to see when it would be shipped was never returned.
I'm going to leave another message tomorrow officially canceling my order and denying charges to my CC.
It's too bad because I've seen quite a few positive posts about their products on various websites.

 

My bud installed the tail lights in the bumper when he built his.. He used those oval ones that are rubber mounted..

 

The Cross Enterprise ones look good on the website. It would appear the tire swing pivot is out of the way of both the lights and the tailgate. I have read about shipping issues with the reasonably priced custom fabricator guy on eBay as well; thedirtworx has good looking work and good prices, but the delivery time is more than the listed 2 weeks. I have also read about thedirtworx's having issues with freezing up pivots due to no zerk fittings. Right now I believe I may just replace my bolts in my factory swing-down carrier and bumper with grade 8, touch up some paint, and leave it like that for now.
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I've got a dirtworx bumper on my '69. The pivot has a zerk fitting:



Mine's got a 2 inch receiver, D-rings, carries 2 gas cans, and has a hi-lift mount. (apologies for the crappy cell phone picture taken from my garage this morning)



Robert at thedirtworx is a really nice guy, he's local to me (Corona).

http://www.thedirtworx.com/Rearbumpers.html

I also had him build me a front bumper and sink an 8274 in it.

Take a look at this bumper and see if you think it will interfere with your existing tail lights.

 

I have built my own bumper and tyre carrier for my CJ, I could have left the lights and fuel filler in the same positions however I have moved the fuel filler to the side (same as a Wrangler) and will remount the lights to suit the carrier. The fuel filler gives a better alignment for filling, is recessed into the body and looks better. Ok so its not original but more functional.

 

Eric, my stock lights are lower than yours, which would put them in the way of the pivot. That is the exact bumper I looked at on eBay. I told Robert that I would send him a picture to see if that could be worked out. I'd like to know now, but I probably won't fork out the $400 now. I have other things to work on.
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I ended up getting a Dirtworx rear bumper and tire carrier with gas can and hi-lift mounts. I got the bumper on there for a test fit, and I knew the pivot would block the passenger light. After studying it at close range for a while, I see that the pivot is tall enough that I can't just move the light up because its not far to the gas filler.


I stepped back to take a look and it hit me....just swap locations of the backup and taillights! The mounting studs are close enough similar to 2" to 2-1/4" oc that I can just enlarge the mounting holes and enlarge the hole for the backup light to set in because its slightly larger...dremel and small grinding stone should work.


At this point I don't want to get to hacking at the sheet metal for LEDs and a side gas filler. This should work for now.

 

Good idea on the light placement!

How much did the bumper end up running without shipping?

 

I'm interested in that bumper information also...and how the lights look after you swap.

 

I made my own bumper but mounted Dirtworx tire carrier to it. I opted to ditch the stock lights and put the LED's up where the back up lights were. I had some rust through and like to play in the rocks so I had no issue with cutting a few holes in the sheet metal. The gas filler is in the stock location. I still need a backup light though.

I also welded a little tab on the inside of the hinge to mount my cb antenna.

I paid $260 2 years ago for the upper section including the hinge/post. He's local to me so no shipping.

Oleblue,
It looks like Robert changed the latching mechanism, can you post up a close up pic of that area?

 

Robert (Dirtworx) is out of California and he builds these after you place your order and ships FedEx. I bought my front bumper from him a few years ago.

It took me about a month to get it after placing my order. I purchased through EBay where he lists his stuff. Total for bumper and tire carrier was $519 shipped. Search "CJ tire carrier" on EBay and his stuff should pop up in the results.

 

I'll have to get some more wire this weekend to extend my taillights up.

 

I'll get the latch on there and snap a pic this weekend. He does have another option for latches now...a red handled Harbor Freight clamp latch.

If i decided to go LEDs, would I just wire them in, or do I need something special for the blinkers to work properly?

 

I just wired em in.

 

Usually need to run an electronic flasher vs. the electro-mechanical unit. Not enough electrical draw normally to make the electro-mechanical unit operate.


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