Rear bumper help

[drumlikebonzo]

maybe you brilliant gentlemen could help me with my bumper as well.

this is the bumper i would like to make but i'm a little concerned about the weight from the spare tire and the gas can that will be mounted there (mainly the tire) pulling down on the arch/bumper...do you guys think its something i'm right to be worried about or should i just go with it? If it is a potential problem what would you recommend that's cleaner than a strap to my roof rack to help support it?

Neil

 

[FROADER]

I moved your post out of Stic-o's thread, so it will stay on topic of his bumper.

 

[IZwack]

Some ideas for a tire carrier, its not on an Explorer, but same concept.
The Explorer's bumper is pretty beefy and people often use it stock to tow other vehicles (the bumper has the provisions to do so). Just design the tire as close to the hatch as possible to minimize the moment arm due to gravity pulling on the tire.

 

[Brian1]

Is it going to be a swing out style bumper or a swing down style bumper? That would be fine for a swing out style bumper/carrier. From your drawing it looks like the swingout portion will be behind the actual bumper and not on top of the bumper? Look into getting a hinge from a Hummer H2, they are made to work like that. At the end of the bumper where your pin is I would suggest a small cradle for the end of the swingout to support the weight when it is closed. I think there is going to be too much slop in the pin latch hole through the outer part to allow for opening the swingout portion. In that case a cradle would definately be needed.

 

[drumlikebonzo]

It is a swing out bumper/carrier and it is behind the bumper. As for the cradle, i was kind of thinking cutting a receiver into the bumper of which the carrier would slide into to take away some of the payload. but i'm still thinking of the best way to do that. any suggestions...design or ideas above?

Neil