My New Rear Bumper

[Craisy Daisy]

*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...

[gothamist]

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!

[ned946]

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.

[rrdstarr]

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?

[rhombus]

CD - I think that it looks great.

[SSR Xterra]

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.

[Craisy Daisy]

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.

[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. :bonghitte

[Craisy Daisy]

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. :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

[ChuckH]

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! I'm looking forward to watching someone else create a rear bumper setup now that mine is done.

[Craisy Daisy]

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, 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.

[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? 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

[ChuckH]

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.

[Matt Peckham]

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

[Philosopher]

Originally posted by Craisy Daisy


According to this pic, 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.