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Rear bumper w/ tire carrier

6K views 32 replies 23 participants last post by  doolyd 
#1 ·
Looking at dirtworx rear bumper/tire carrier and extreme terrains barricade classic rear bumper w/ tire carrier. I like that the dirtworx can tow a lot, but I really don't do a lot of towing. I don't like that I will need to get it powder coated and the barricade already has the powder coat. Advice or opinions?
 
#5 ·
Looking at dirtworx rear bumper/tire carrier and extreme terrains barricade classic rear bumper w/ tire carrier. I like that the dirtworx can tow a lot, but I really don't do a lot of towing. I don't like that I will need to get it powder coated and the barricade already has the powder coat. Advice or opinions?
They're both great choices! A lot of guys on the forums prefer rattle can to powder coating. It makes touch-ups cheap and easy! If you don't plan on bashing the bumper on anything then powder coat is the way I would go. It will add some cost but I'm sure the un-coated bumper is cheaper. Let me know if you have any questions about the Barricade or if you'd like a quote!

-Ryan
 
#8 ·
Powder coat is nice, but harder for folks to touch up. I've used bedliner on the bumpers of my Polaris Ranger & when they get scraped, I just clean the area & spray on some more. After a weekend or 2 the repair blends in & you won't notice it.

In the past I've tried to sand blast powder coated parts in a typical blast cabinet & didn't budge ny of it. I had to take them to an industrial sandblasting outfit to have the coating removed.
 
#12 ·
Realistically, you shouldn't be towing anything over 1k with a tj.
To answer your question aftermarket bumpers normally aren't rated to pull anything because the manufacturers don't get them DOT Certified, but if you add Tie-ins it they probably can handle a small trailer. The best thing to do is add a Reese Hitch.
 
#11 · (Edited)
#31 ·
#13 ·
I have been running the dirtworx rear bumper on my LJ for about a year now, and I couldn't be happier. Because it's an LJ it has a few more inches of overhang in the back and I have bounced my bumper off a lot of rocks that TJ's never even notice. Several times I have had the entire weight of the vehicle resting on the bumper alone. I honestly don't think that the bumper could be stronger even if Robert made it out of solid bar stock. Buy a set of frame tie-ins and wheel away with no worries. I did have a minor issue at first with rattling of the tire carrier due to the way it locks to the bumper. I glued a small piece of gasket material to the back of the swing arm where it locks in and have had no problems since.

I have no experience with Barricade products, so I won't offer an opinion on them. I will, however, give my strongest recommendation for the dirtworx bumper. The price and build quality are unmatched and it will likely last the life of your Jeep.
 
#14 ·
I just installed mine from Jeep Armory. I haven't taken it offroad but I have no regrets so far. Very strong angled bumper with everything you want, except you're stuck with the tire height they give you. I run a 35" so its perfect for me. They even allowed me to customize where my high lift is carried, a feature they plan to offer.
 
#17 ·
I was running the regular rear bumper from dirtworx and was extremely pleased. I painted it with duplicolor bed armor and man was it great. Went on a 97 tj so I was able to bolt it on in ten spots. The newer tjs and ljs need to have holes drilled for the extra for mounting points offered. I was going to order a tire carrier but found a deal on a body armor tire carrier on cl that was too good to pass up.
 
#20 ·
I have a set by Body Armor 4x4. They're heavy and very stout. The swing out tire carrier has Jerry can carriers, although mine are for the old style cans. I think they have modified their design for the newer rounded bottom cans. I seldom see them mentioned for some reason but I like them and I get compliments on them from time to time. I got lucky and picked up the front and rear bumpers plus the carrier for $300 at 4 Wheel Parts. They were a display model they didn't know what to do with. I've had them for a couple of years and have zero complaints.
 
#26 ·
I have been very impressed with the LOD signature series bumper I picked up. Very solid, almost overbuilt. No rattles or noises, very secure, adjustable height adjustment for the spare, swing out locks open, back up light option, frame tie ins. Price was right too, worth a look.
 
#28 · (Edited)
I took a look at the LOD bumper and I really like the look of it, but unfortunately, they just use a bushing and not a tapered roller bearing in the pivot.
I can't believe any bumper manufacturer would dare manufacture a bumper mounted tire carrier that only uses a bushing. There's too much stress leverage placed against that pivot point for a bushing to be anything but a cheap half-a$$ed approach. Not even all tapered bearing designs are up to that type of load.

Personally, I won't use a bumper mounted spare tire carrier. Instead, I've installed Offroad Fabricator's spare tire carrier onto both of my TJs which is bolted to and supported by the rear rollcage bases. It doesn't get any stronger than that. http://orfab.com/applications.php?Application=Jeep&Category=Carriers&Active=Yes. Not to mention you can use any bumper you want with it since this design doesn't attach to the bumper.
 
#29 ·
Offroadin, I've been pretty happy with my Garvin ATS tire carrier. Had it for a few years holding a 35" spare, and it'll hold 10 gallons of fuel, a hilift, and an axe/shovel. Have beat the snot out of it at the Hammers, Moab, and everything in between. I have towed my ~1200lb camping trailer across the Mojave rd and more.

No rattles, squeaks or sagging. I had a manufacturing issue with the hitch but their customer service is really good, they fixed it up and even re-powdercoated it for me.
 
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