My New Rear Bumper

*Apologizing early for the long post and the large pictures...*

It's finally done!!

For the better part of the last 3 months I have been researching, calling, drawing and becoming increasingly frustrated in regards to my new rear bumper. That time is over!

The product is a Garvin Industries Swing Away Tire System. I'm sure quite a few people have seen or thought of this product but discounted it for their X either due to cost or the fact that is it not a simple install.

http://www.wildernessracks.com/swing_away_tire.html

I had custom brackets created at a shop nearby and then basically bolted the bumper up.

Here are some stats...

Nissan hitch weight 30lbs
Nissan rear bumper 32lbs
Garvin rear bumper 90lbs (only added 28lbs)

$895CAN for the bumper (ouch)
$300CAN for custom brackets
$130CAN for Blitz gas can mount (ordered today)

$1325CAN total or 842US

I did have to take a little piece off of my tailgate but I was prepared for that. I gave up looks for functionality.

I plan on making at least one addition; a diamond plate covering the gap between the bumper and the body.

Without further adieu...

http://webhome.idirect.com/~fabfive/P0000954.jpg
http://webhome.idirect.com/~fabfive/P0000955.jpg
http://webhome.idirect.com/~fabfive/P0000956.jpg

Not sure I'm ready to notch the tailgate like that, but I've been thinking about adding a stock swing-away to my KMA as well...finally get the spare out of the back.

Do you plan to put the corner plastic pieces back on? If not, since you've already started cutting, you should trim them up...if you seal off that vent properly (maybe cut it down to half its size) you could really clear away a lot of extraneous sheet metal.

I do like the look a lot. Cool stuff!

Looks beefy strong!
I'm not posting the following to start any battles, but your post has good timing since I'm heading to Calmini tomorrow to pick up MY new rear tire carrier. I'll post pics of the thing once its up and running!

But yours does look nice Craisy, a lot of effort I'm guessing, but a nice final product.

Looks great! Hopefully you saved any patterns that were necessary to adapt the Jeep to the Xterra? Looks like you'll have to trim the plastic bumperettes when you reinstall them?

CD - I think that it looks great.

For that price why didnt you just go with the calmini? I do like it tho, looks different. Gives it that mad max type of feel.

Originally posted by SSR Xterra
For that price why didnt you just go with the calmini?

Well, I seriously considered the Calmini but the Garvin rack is much more versatile as far as options go. Another big reason was due to the way the Calmini gets mounted. It takes away a good portion of the stock spare space, which is where I plan on utilizing space for a dual battery setup.

I like the way the tire / carrier sit so close to the truck, I think you've gotten it closer than anyone else. Will a gas can fit on it with it that close to the tailgate?

And speaking of tailgate, yikes dude. You've got fucking balls to cut a section out of it. :eek: :bonghitte

Originally posted by Philosopher
I like the way the tire / carrier sit so close to the truck, I think you've gotten it closer than anyone else. Will a gas can fit on it with it that close to the tailgate?

And speaking of tailgate, yikes dude. You've got fucking balls to cut a section out of it. :eek: :bonghitte

Thanks T!

The gas tank sits flush with the swing away facing the truck. It extends outwards so I should have no problems. I had to look at it a few times to figure out if it was going to work but it will.

Yeah, it wasn't easy but I was prepared for the cutting. I can almost guarantee that it will be original though :)

Originally posted by Craisy Daisy


Another big reason was due to the way the Calmini gets mounted. It takes away a good portion of the stock spare space, which is where I plan on utilizing space for a dual battery setup.

Doesn't the Calmini mount pretty much the same way as my KMA and have the same type of structure behind the skin? My KMA takes up very little spare tire space. It's enough to make that spot useless for a tire, but it certainly wouldn't interfere with batteries and things like that. I could probably get 6 batteries under there if I wanted to.

You definately win the award for most original so far! :D I'm looking forward to watching someone else create a rear bumper setup now that mine is done.

Originally posted by ChuckH


Doesn't the Calmini mount pretty much the same way as my KMA and have the same type of structure behind the skin?

According to this pic (http://www.purenissan.com/bumper_tech.htm), it takes up enough that I was unsure of what my options would be afterwards. I wish the pic was a a little further away. It is still tough to tell.

EDIT - fixed quote.

OK, after staring at it a while, I gotta say, why would you waste all that money on something that doesn't go well with the rest of the truck? it means you had to notch your hatch, which sucks, the corner angles are nice but they all useless. and they will probably be half in half out if you put back the now ill fitting bumper corners, in which case any gains in bumper clearance is gone.

Glad you think it's nice...

BTW, why do you still have leaves?

aren't you like, in Canada?

All mine are dead and gone in New England.

I like how close it sits to the rear hatch, except the fact that if you even get tapped lightly, you will incur major damage. Makes me wonder.... wha about a swingaway where the tire mounts inside the bracket, so that you remove it when the swingarm is open. would require a bit more steel, but it could be interesting, and the tire would be up against the rear hatch, not the steel.


I'll have to put in pictures what I am trying to describe.

anyone got any good 3D programs that are shareware?

Matt

Uh, what is that a picture of? Looks like the back of the receiver has a bracket that goes to the spare tire holder, but that doesn't make sense. Am I like totally way off? If that's what it is, I would have to wonder why, since two ample and properly built inserts into the frame will be more than enough and the tire holder surely can't supply that much strength. Guess I'll have to look at it again! OK, it looks like Calmini didn't put a box section tube behind the bumper skin, so the receiver insert is mounted to the bumper skin at one end and the spare tire holder thingy at the other. Now I know I'm going to get flamed by the Calmini folks, but if I'm interpreting that right, that's really scary. I would not buy a bumper with a tow hitch that doesn't have box section bracing. I wish Calmini would release some better pictures so that we don't have to assume things!

Damn, I wish I had the time, the place, and the tools because after (not trying to brag, but...) all we've been through, Schlud, Synchro, and I could build the ultimate bumpers! What amazes me is that an Xterra bumper is so simple and it's taking forever to get a good one, as if it takes a lot of research or something.

I'd like to see some cappings for the sides. some upper ones that are permanent (plastic?) and the bumper itself warp araound the lower section. yet again, time for photoshop...

Matt

Originally posted by Craisy Daisy


According to this pic (http://www.purenissan.com/bumper_tech.htm), it takes up enough that I was unsure of what my options would be afterwards. I wish the pic was a a little further away. It is still tough to tell.




How did you find that pic, and what the hell am I looking at ...? How confusing.

It was on XOC after Schlud posted a question about the Calmini bumper. It's a picture of the rear spare tire location and the back of the bumper right at the receiver.

I'm not an engineer, so I'm not sure about what you are referring to in terms of box section mounting to the bumper, but....

It (the tube section that the hitch slides into) is double welded (front and back) and on the inside of the bumper has a gusset from the hitch tube back to the bumper (a triangular piece like all the rock sliders have that reinforce the extensions) and a huge massive piece that goes back to where the tire hand winch thing mounted. I'd feel okay pulling a stump out with the thing. And, I know Steve was incredibly hesitant to place a class III until he was happy(his original design called for a class II due to his strength concerns)...he is BIG into OVERBUILT!

8 bolts hold the thing onto the X.

I have pics (of the SIMA truck too), but I don't have my synch cord. I'll have it on tuesday and I'll post pics. If there are specific detail shots you want, please post and I'll try to get it.

-Ned

PS- the triangular gusset I am referring to is NOT the one next to the hand in that link, it is similar but goes directly from the box tube to the back of the bumper.

Originally posted by Schludwiller
Yes, Chuck.

The Calmini bumper does not have box supports going into the frame. I raised this cocern with Steve at XOC and he pointed out the middle piece (hitch part, which he said attached to the crossmember) as being enough support when used with the two L-beams on the sides.

I dunno. I like things a bit overengineered myself, especially when I'm messing with pulling 4,000 lb things with tow straps, etc.

I guess we'll see.

If built right the "L" brackets to the frame would be plenty strong. What I'm seeing though that is a curiosity is that it appears that the "L" brackets attach to the bumper skin and there is no box section backbone going crosswise between the two frame brackets. Having a box section backbone behind the bumper skin adds a tremendous amount of strength and rigidity and I don't understand why it is missing unless Calmini was just trying to save weight. I think that's odd that receiver is only mounted to the skin of the bumper and to the crossmember above the spare, which isn't even one of the beefy crossmembers if I remember correctly. It kind of reminds me of the Class II hitch I had on my Audi that was mounted to the trunk well at one end and the rear suspension subframe at the other. That was fine on the Audi, but I wouldn't want to do it that way on an Xterra.

Anyway, I'm sure that tying it in that way is fine, but box section steel is better. The box section stiffens the whole bumper and gives a spot to mount the receiver to without adding a center bracket. I imagine the Calmini will bend easily in between the receiver and the outer frame mounts, where there is no box section reinforcement.

BTW Schlud, your bumper with all 12 bolts and the long inserts didn't even shutter when you pulled Bryan up the hill! :D

So that's what I see and think and if anyone disagrees with me well then :finger:

Hehehe!!! :D

Originally posted by ChuckH


BTW Schlud, your bumper with all 12 bolts and the long inserts didn't even shutter when you pulled Bryan up the hill! :D

Hehehe!!! :D

Damn well better not. I spent enough time messing with that damn thing. :D

Originally posted by Schludwiller


Damn well better not. I spent enough time messing with that damn thing. :D

Ahem, don't forget the money and my time! :rolleyes:

Now we just gotta get the pinholes filled and get that bad boy finished up!

Originally posted by ChuckH

If built right the "L" brackets to the frame would be plenty strong. What I'm seeing though that is a curiosity is that it appears that the "L" brackets attach to the bumper skin

I see your point now, kinda like the "bullet proof" bumper ad, right? Like I originally posted, I'm no engineer, just a tinkerer....but I'll throw in my two cents.

To start, describing it as a skin might be misleading, cuz that is think stuff. I would assume that the "skin", with its multiple bends, is the structural component (cross piece). You might note that the ARB, with its many bends and WAY thin "skin" is rated for a 9K winch. What I'm getting at is that a sub-frame may not be necessary (course it wouldn't hurt either).

I'll be sure to take close up shots of the welds. That is one of the most impressive things about Calmini, is the welding. Steve just walked around and picked up random parts at different stages of completion and every weld is a perfect bead. Those welds, I think, further decrease the need for a sub-frame.

I gotta say that I don't think that pictures do the bumper justice......cuz we are all used to seeing ARB type heft and may assume the Calmini is of the same caliber.....which (for sure) it is not. Calmini is much heavier.

I don't want to say that it is better in terms of strength etc than your finished product, but I would gamble that upon close inspection, you would be more than satisfied that it would easily handle anything you could throw at it.

All, IMHO :)

Originally posted by ChuckH

I imagine the Calmini will bend easily in between the receiver and the outer frame mounts, where there is no box section reinforcement.


Just wanted to comment once again that I really don't think its even a remote possibility. Yes, a box is the strongest, but I would equate the Calmini as a "C" channel, with closed ends and a center reinforcement area and made out of some very think material. I'm also thinking that the function of the center mount in the 3 point mount would be to help reduce side to side sway of the hitch and the receiver while also helping out mounting strength.

Well, I guess someone in PNWX is going to have to buy one so I can get a good look at it! I'm also looking forward to seeing your pictures. I hope you take pictures from different views before it's on your truck so I we can see the back. BTW, I'm not trying to bash the Calmini bumper...some things just aren't clear to me.

Keep in mind too that I spent most of my life in shops that built stuff for Fire Trucks, so just about anything for a personal vehicle looks wimpy to me!:D That goes for the KMA too...there would have been more beef if I had built the whole thing from scratch. Uh, let's just say that in my world the only way the bumper could be pulled off the truck would be if the frame went with it. I'd also have battery compartments underneath, home made skids, my own sliders, a tow hitch insert in my ARB (with other ARB enhancements), a roll cage, and ......???Unfortunately I no longer have access to the tools and materials to do that kind of stuff.

Originally posted by Philosopher

How did you find that pic, and what the hell am I looking at ...? How confusing.

How simple.
On the right is the reciever hitch.
On the left it bolts to the cross member where the spare tire hangs.

Sorry Daisy, but that is the biggest POS I have ever seen. It makes the Frankenstein KMA crap look like they were built by NASA.

Does anyone here really think that looks cool, or good ?
Or that sawing a chunk out of the hatch is a good idea ?

Originally posted by xoc
Sorry Daisy, but that is the biggest POS I have ever seen. It makes the Frankenstein KMA crap look like they were built by NASA.

Jeez Ian, tell me how you really feel :)

Just out of curiosity, is it

1. the bumper
2. the brackets
3. the fit
4. the fact that its not a Calmini
5. the notch in my hatch
6. or the way my truck looks now

that makes it a POS?

Like I said, I am just curious.

Originally posted by ChuckH
Well, I guess someone in PNWX is going to have to buy one so I can get a good look at it! I'm also looking forward to seeing your pictures. I hope you take pictures from different views before it's on your truck so I we can see the back. BTW, I'm not trying to bash the Calmini bumper...some things just aren't clear to me.

I know your not bashing Calmini (on the other hand I'm not paid by Calmini either:rolleyes: )! I do agree, seeing it up close is the best. I too like to overbuild and I'm happy (if that means anything). I pitty the poor fool who might rear end me :bloated:

I'm posting ASAP (likely tuesday) and I apologize for not being able to get the pics up sooner.

Again, if there are specific areas you want to see, I'll do my best to get it.

-Ned

Originally posted by Craisy Daisy
Just out of curiosity, is it

1. the bumper
2. the brackets
3. the fit
4. the fact that its not a Calmini
5. the notch in my hatch
6. or the way my truck looks now

that makes it a POS?


All of the above, except number 4. Bravo for attempting it, but seriously, take a good long look at it.

uh...daisy? ....sorry man...but that thing is fugly. :( I don't even think I spent that much cash on my KMA and fixing it and it is better than that. sorry man, i just had to give my honest opinion.

CD, what type of lift do you have on your truck?
(sorry to be off-topic)

Sway-Away T-Bars up front and AAL in the back

So it was Pikachu who had the SLR (National) Spring Pack on his truck. I always get those yellow Xs mixed up!!!! Does anyone know how those are holding up?
-Brad

Just had a 2nd look and realized that you have not finished your "bumpettes" yet, so my reaction is GREAT JOB !. I like when people makes things fit and keep it original. Quite the expense in Canadian dollars you vent through.

I saw Chuck's MOD and had to adit I loved the room for Fuel, Lift and Condoms....


Claus
Vancouver :silly2:

Well I'm with XLAX. When I first saw it, I thought you were planning on leaving the Xterra bumper ends off, or cutting the rear wheel well. I love functionality, but I also spend effort on trying to make parts seem like they are a part of the truck.

That being said. I think that's probably the best departure angle I've seen yet. It looks solid. (pics of your frame mounting would be good to see).

The hatch cutting scares the crap out of me. :D

I can envision the rear end caps being put on, some black diamond plating, and it will look quite in line with the truck. As much as anyone who's putting an aftermarket bumper on the rear.

Thanks for posting.

If you had moved your bumper out and inch further or so away from the truck, would you have had to notch the rear hatch? I love how tight it sits to the truck, just wouldn't want to cut my hatch like that!

Trust me on this one... spend a little extra money and get 5 bar diamond plating, not the cheap crappy 1 cross diamond platingthat is common on American vehicles. For a look at what I am talking about, check this shit out. It's also more grippy than the American crap.

http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/01february/tombraider/4.jpg

Now that's some diamond plate. also available in black anodized.

My dream truck !... I drove Landrovers in Namibia (when I was a warlord). If only they were affordable up here...NICE !!
(still love the X)

:eek2:

Is that the Rover from Tomb Raider?

That's awesome!!! :D

Yes it is and it looks awesome :)

http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/newsshorts/01february/tombraider/landrover.asp

hey now! keep it on topic!!!!!

that is a whole lot better than <accent=redneck> that stuff on cargobed toolboxes</accent>

trust me on this one. spend the money and get the nicer quality stuff. oh yeah, it's only made of aluminum.

Matt

Originally posted by Craisy Daisy
[B]
I plan on making at least one addition; a diamond plate covering the gap between the bumper and the body.



Well i hope you plan on making more than just that one addition, because i have to agree with synchro it pretty much looks like :monkeypis as it is right now. As for functionality, it looks pretty good. Regardless its good to see people experimenting with other options in the long run it can only help the community as a whole - whether the final result is that its great or totally sucks. As for the notching the tailgate thing, doesn't seem like such a big deal to me we do irreversible things to our trucks all the time in the name of modifications. So, for now i'm gonna have to give it a thumbs down overall but keep us updated when its finished i may switch my (probably useless) opinion.

The one thing that is very cool is that this is a jeep bumper.
(which you knew CD would chose to match the front :) )

There are a lot of people making jeep stuff so this should give us much more selection.

http://www.bulletproofmfg.com/

http://www.wildernessracks.com/swing_away_tire.html


I also don't think that cutting the hatch is a big deal. It looks like it is just a small cut and the piece does not really do anything.

Originally posted by Matt Peckham
For a look at what I am talking about, check this shit out. .

Where is their web site? I'm gonna flame that thing till its toast........they have no idea what they are doing....I'll tell 'em.

They put the steering wheel on the wrong side, no where is their address?:rolleyes:

Originally posted by Matt Peckham
OK, after staring at it a while, I gotta say, why would you waste all that money on something that doesn't go well with the rest of the truck?
Matt

Yes, why would you Matt? :p

materials: $0
labor: $0
designwork: $0
roofrack bolts: 6.80
gas: $40
scotchbrite: $12
brasso polish: $2.89
XORust paint and primer: $8.00
aluminum bar for lightmounts and bolts: $11.20
grief from people for it not lining up with the roofline: immeasurable
ability to carry 5 jerrycans along with a bunch of dead souvenirs through the Canadian wilderness: priceless.

Get your facts straight. I bartered the rack. Still haven't had to do anything for it yet, not sure if I will, but I expect to, it's a swap for a website.

Total cost: $72.89

that's pretty darn cheap. And nobody else will have one like it.

there was also nothing like it on the market when I started, much like the KMA bumpers, but it looks like at least my guy knew how to weld, so he misinterpreted some of my measurements, I'm no engineer. Whereas the KMA guys only knew how to cash checks.

What did your bumper cost originally, and what did it cost when all was said and done in man hours and materials?

Will the Shovel and Ax attachments fit on the truck? If so, then that would be cool. It would allow almost all of the stuff normally carried on the roof rack to be mounted lower and significantly lower the center of gravity.

I just received my 4-wheel drive hardware catalog today, and there are mount locations and brackets for everything. Their example jeep had a tire, AX, Shovel, Jerry Can, Hilift, Rack, And cooler all attached to that bumper..[:)]

Now, I'm not sure I could or would cut the tailgate, but once the plastic corner pieces are replaced, It should look as finished as any KMA does.

I can't believe all the hooplah that this one bumper has caused, especially since it's still a work in progress. You will have more options for mounting stuff than any other current aftermarket bumper..

Cliff

For what it's worth CD I think the new bumper looks good. Obviously without the side panels the truck looks like a dog's breakfast, but I think the set up is a great idea. I do have to admit that the Calimini set up is a little cleaner, but it will be a better comparison when yours is complete. Well done.

Matt, Now you have to post a pic of that Rack.....


Claus

I guess you're missing my point. CD obviously went with his choice because he liked the functionality of it. You did the same, so I don't understand why you would ask him the question you did. Just sounded like the kettle calling the pot black. Why you would say your rack is free is beyond me. Did your welder work for free? No he traded it for your experience and time to perform a service he needed. Personally I would give my personal time more credit that you seem to.

As for mine. I have openly called it a turd, and have done my best to steer people away from KMA. However I still had a need for a rear bumper and tow points.
So I was willing to fix it to get what I needed. I actually like mine now, but when other people ask me about my bumper I tell them to look for Calmini or SLR to come out with something (yes, my true bias is out. I criticise Calmini because I want them to come out with a good product that members in our club can buy and enjoy. I actually want people to learn from my bad experience and get something better. Oh I'm so evil aren't I).

I hear ya schlud, I guess I don't think grabbing a predesigned product for another VERY different vehicle and slapping it on is the right answer. I may be alone in that opinion, and I understand that people do it all the time, but for the price he spent, he probably could've gotten a local welder to create a custom one. I could see using the top part of the swingarm and mounting it to a bumper fascia that more closely resembled the Xterra one, but using the Jeep bumper, which is too low, too narrow, and tapered oddly, well that's just weird, personally.

and Xlax, some photos of my rack...

http://www.burntorangedesign.com/xterra/rackpics.jpg

http://www.burntorangedesign.com/xterra/hellafied.jpg

Maybe, but when Charles and I were looking into getting a custom bumper made it was going to come out to $1000. :eek: Craisy at least has the option of getting other accessories later on that are made for his bumper.

I don't think anyone does these mods lightly. They're two year old trucks!!! I know everyone weighs these things carefully so I just try and learn from their experience.

If we all just bought mods off the shelf then we probably wouldn't have learned as much as we have. I've gained a lot of knowledge installing my own parts, digging through my truck with Chuck and figuring out how to make the best improvements for what we need. Just having a "credit card" Xterra would be pretty booring.

Personally I enjoy the experimentation. :D

Personally I think any mod that is either made by the owner himself or custom designed and is functional is just an added bonus to our great common hobby.

More power to both DC and Mr. Peckham (thanks for the pics Matt)

Anyone can flame or think a mod is lame BUT if it works for the person, then more power to the owner of the truck. At PNWX I love to see Mateo's truck "evolve" with cameras and now a self-designed snorkel !.

Screw the brand names. If the end result in performing/designing your own truck is that YOU get the max use out of it then the intent was fulfilled

as for Chuck and Schlud, yeah your bumpers have been a bitch, but I bet you learned a ton about fitting etc. and the end result, despite the cost must be worth it (it is still on your trucks !)

Claus

see now, without criticism, this quite thought provoking discussion would not have arisen. His bumper is functional. Let's just hope the end result is a little less awkward.

Matt :p