Just got my new bumper from RLC Welding installed!!!

[RaveDigger]

I figured I'd take this opportunity to share my pictures with the community and to plug Jamscal's awesome work. He was even able to accommodate my 3" body lift!

I was tired of having the 33" tire in the hatch area of my truck, and strapping it to the roof destroyed my fuel economy, so I decided to go the swingout tire carrier route. I think the results are awesome.

The only issue that I ran into during installation was likely due to the fact that this bumper was designed for a first generation Explorer. I had to do some trimming of the rear crossmember to get it to fit. The back part of the integrated receiver hitch came in contact with the area which had contained the factory spare tire. It took all of five minutes with an angle grinder to remove the obstruction. Nothing too extreme, but it was an extra step which I had not planned on.

The other issue which has resulted in me not being able to drive the truck, is the fact that the spare tire blocks the license plate. I've ordered THIS relocation bracket and light to remedy this problem.

My only question now is, where is the best place to connect this wire to? I'm thinking of tying it into the rear light assembly so that when I turn on my headlights at night, it will illuminate as well. I'm just not sure if license plate lights are required to be illuminated at all times in MA, or just at night.

 

[Sogsnakebite]

Man thats an awesome setup

 

[lynchy wa]

X2 Bloody sick as. Common sense would say you should be right having the plate light hooked to your light's but how long's it been since laws were enacted on common sense?

 

[1AJeremyD]

Thats an awesome work they do over there. How long did it take you to install the whole thing?

 

[RaveDigger]

I spent the weekend on it, but that includes time for the paint to dry, trimming the crossmember, and fiddling around with the hinge (it wasn't immediately apparent to me how it was supposed to go together).

Actual install time to get the bumper on was about an hour. There were two bolts on either frame rail holding the old bumper on, then I used three bolts to hold the new bumper in place. I had removed the bumper in the past when I did my body lift, so I was already familiar with the mounting setup.

 

[eazyasone23]

wow i really like the new look

 

[kylekruchok]

You, sir, need spacers. That would make it even more hella bomb.

 

[Bruces expo]

my first gen would love that bumper !! , yours is the sec gen version of my truck ha looks good !!!

 

[Lacky01]

what did you paint it with? I'd like to build my own, but i don't want to spray bomb it if its not gonna last.

 

[StryctNy9e]

that looks awsome. How much did it cost? It would be a great upgrade for my X one day.

 

[RaveDigger]

what did you paint it with? I'd like to build my own, but i don't want to spray bomb it if its not gonna last.

I primed and spraybombed it. If it gets chipped or dinged, I'll just touch it up. The truck itself is all scratched up anyway, so I'm not too worried about paint.

 

[RaveDigger]

that looks awsome. How much did it cost? It would be a great upgrade for my X one day.

I think the bumper itself was $450? The tire carrier was an additional $300ish. The price included shipping to MA which was nice.

 

[BigRondo]

My only question now is, where is the best place to connect this wire to? I'm thinking of tying it into the rear light assembly so that when I turn on my headlights at night, it will illuminate as well. I'm just not sure if license plate lights are required to be illuminated at all times in MA, or just at night.

That bumper and tire rack are sweet!! Why not tie the wiring into the existing license plate lighting? That way the new light will come on with the old one. As far as I know, the plate only needs to be lit at night, and legible from 60 feet away. If you tie it into the existing plate lights, then you know it will be legal!

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Nice!!!

 

[RaveDigger]

That bumper and tire rack are sweet!! Why not tie the wiring into the existing license plate lighting? That way the new light will come on with the old one. As far as I know, the plate only needs to be lit at night, and legible from 60 feet away. If you tie it into the existing plate lights, then you know it will be legal!

I thought about that, but it would require a very long wire. I'd need to run a wire from the new license plate holder, to the hinge of the bumper, into the body of the vehicle, up to the hinge on the hatch, then down to the original license plate area. I checked my other car, and when the headlights are off, the plate lights are off as well. I think if I tie into the drivers side rear tail light, I'll be good because it will turn on the plate light when the tail light turns on.

 

[BigRondo]

That will work too.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[RaveDigger]

License plate has been successfully relocated. I wired it to the tail light. Behind the light housing there are three connectors. The middle connector has three wires, green, brown, and black. I spliced the license plate light wires to the green and black wires of the middle connector so that whenever the headlights are on, the license plate is illuminated.

Once there's some daylight I'll take some pictures to show it off!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

lookin good keep up good work

 

[NWOff-Roader]

My plan was to strap my spare down on my roof rack, but after seeing your rear bumper I'm having second thoughts. It looks great!

 

[RaveDigger]

I had strapped it to the roof for a road trip from MA to SC, but it destroyed my fuel economy so I didn't ever want to do that again.