Calmini rear bumper question

jnapier · #1 02-15-2002, 10:44 AM

Not to start up a flame war about Calmini, but Warmonger and others (if there are others who have them since they were supposedly already shipped), I was wondering if you also ordered the optional third brake light and if so, what are your impressions? Specifically, is it actually visible once you have a big tire up there, and also how much more rear window view does it obscur?

I called them to order a bumper (as a replacement due to a guy rear-ending my Xterra) but I didn't remember to order the third brake light. He informed me that the first batch of 20 or so was already spoken for and that it would be about 3-4 weeks for the next batch.

Schludwiller · #2 02-15-2002, 12:01 PM

Warmonger can you post pictures of the bumper too?

warmonger · #3 02-15-2002, 12:26 PM

I will have to shoot a new photo. The photos I have of it are a little dark to really show how it looks. I will pop one up when I get home tonight. I have my high level stop lamp bracket up there but haven't bothered to put the lamp on. I'm not real enthusiastic about hunting for a way to hide the wiring harness that leads to it.

Ok, I just updated this message with the photo for you folks, hopefully this is satisfactory.

RticQl8 · #4 02-15-2002, 07:28 PM

I too just recieved and installed my rear swing out. Love it by the way! I can't help with the break light question because I didn't get it but could someone please tell me what I can do to shore up the play in the "hinge" I know they used high quality bushings but the play is a bit excessive for my taste and given the long drives I take weekly on the bumpiest roads in so cal im worried about premature failure and uneccesary wear. I was thinking some sort of thin sleave could be used around the axle bolt but I have yet to try anything.

Schludwiller · #5 02-15-2002, 08:07 PM

Thanks Warmonger. Is the tire right in the center of the hatch? You're a little close, and makes the tire look like a 35"

Kind of like when people take pictures of their ARB too close.

warmonger · #6 02-15-2002, 09:15 PM

Aaahhh, what do ya want for a driveway shot? Hell, I was surprised my camera could get it all in that close! Any way, it is a 32" tire and it is slightly off center. As for the guy asking about play, I don't seem to have any issues with mine. It does have some movement, but with a tire that weighs around 80 lbs hanging around, I'm not surprised. I can tell you by the way it's built, it ain't coming off.

RticQl8 · #7 02-15-2002, 10:33 PM

I admit the play aint much. Maybe 1/2" up and down at far end but considering the type of driveing I do I would like to stiffen it up a bit. No matter how solid it was built that amount of play will destroy the bushings in less than a year and considering the bushing is holding most the wieght of the entire assembly such a failure could cause problems.

Schludwiller · #8 02-15-2002, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RticQl8
I admit the play aint much. Maybe 1/2" up and down at far end but considering the type of driveing I do I would like to stiffen it up a bit. No matter how solid it was built that amount of play will destroy the bushings in less than a year and considering the bushing is holding most the wieght of the entire assembly such a failure could cause problems.

Half an inch is a lot depending on which way it goes. Are you saying the carrier goes up and down half an inch or the tire wobbles forward and back half an inch?

RticQl8 · #9 02-15-2002, 11:23 PM

What im saying is that if you grab the far end (where the latch is) you can wiggle it verticly up and down 1/2" to 1 full inch. It appears all the play is withing the bushings at the hinging point. The bolt is tight and does not move at all. I think perhaps I can remedy this with a thin metal tube sized to fit around the original bolt or perhaps I can find a larger bolt altogether.

Am I the only one experiencing this? if so maybe Calmini sent me the wrong equipment

warmonger · #10 02-16-2002, 06:00 AM

RTIC,

My mount fits tightly there. My tire wiggles over hard bumps but not the entire hinged carrier. It sounds like either you didn't get the hinge bolt tight enough or the U-mount for the hinge was made too wide. I would really have to see photos to tell for sure. I know when I put my carrier in, I had to tap it in place with a rubber mallet. Once it was in place I had to lube the wee out of it to stop the hinge from squeaking.

Toy Man · #11 02-16-2002, 07:04 AM

Wow - that 32" tire on Warmonger's X looks huge. Does anyone have a pic of a 31" tire on the Calmini mount?

RticQl8 · #12 02-16-2002, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by warmonger
RTIC,

My mount fits tightly there. My tire wiggles over hard bumps but not the entire hinged carrier. It sounds like either you didn't get the hinge bolt tight enough or the U-mount for the hinge was made too wide. I would really have to see photos to tell for sure. I know when I put my carrier in, I had to tap it in place with a rubber mallet. Once it was in place I had to lube the wee out of it to stop the hinge from squeaking.

Well then im afraid my U-mount is to wide. My hinge and bushings slid right in no problems and there are no squeeks to speak of. I may be a victom of buying to early. I had to redrill the holes that mount the seperate support to the back of the hitch reciever. Calmini was about a 1/4" to wide on both sides.

Pictures wouldn't do you any good. It looks exactly the same as yours and the amount of play would not be visible in still photos.

RticQl8 · #13 02-17-2002, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toy Man
Wow - that 32" tire on Warmonger's X looks huge. Does anyone have a pic of a 31" tire on the Calmini mount?

Ok ill give it a go but this is my first try

this is a 31" maxis mudder.... well I couldn't figure out the vb code or at least I couldn't get it to work so try the link instead.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/antibible/lst?.dir=/Xterra

*new host tell me if the link doesn't work*

Schludwiller · #14 02-17-2002, 08:51 PM

Yeah, Geocities doesn't like linking to their area I believe. I was able to backspace to the previous directory and click on the image directly. Looks nice! My preference would be to put the tire off to one side, but the finish looks very clean.

Bummer about your wobble. Have you contacted Calmini? Seems they would want to correct that.

Toy Man · #15 02-17-2002, 09:14 PM

Thanks for posting the pictures.

I was worried about my 31" tires covering too much of the rear window but it looks fine in your pic's.

Toy Man

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