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Swing Out Tire Carrier/Bumper Mix and Match

1K views 18 replies 8 participants last post by  WranglerSport4x4 
#1 ·
I posted this a while ago with no responses and realized today I accidentally posted it in the JK section of the forum, so I'm hoping for more luck here.

I currently have a rear bumper on my TJ made by Durango4x4 (company name, nothing to do with Dodge). The bumper is made to accept a swing out tire carrier, but Durango4x4 has been out of business for a while. I want to add a swing out carrier, but can't find any by Durango4x4 on ebay/craigslist/etc.

I prefer not to buy a new bumper just to get a matching swing out carrier. My welding skills are poor enough that I won't entertain making my own. So my question is this:

Is the spindle connection for swing out carriers usually common enough that I stand a fighting chance buying a lone carrier with a spindle that will fit my bumper? If not, would is possibly be cheaper to have a fabricator build me a swing out to match the bumper, instead of buying a new bumper/carrier combo?

Any advice or information is appreciated!
 
#4 ·
Threads like this make me pull my hair out because people don't read the original post. He's not asking for product recommendations, guys. He's asking very specific questions about a product he already owns.

To answer your original question: you'll likely pay more money to have something fabricated rather than just buying an entirely new bumper/carrier. It's not just the fabrication you have to consider; you also have to consider the time spent by the wielder to make measurements. You also have to think about the finish and paint. You're going to be paying in labor, too.

Additionally, bumper/carrier combos are engineered to fit their own products. Even if you find a swing-out arm that will fit your spindle, you have to consider how it'll line up at the other end (or against the tailgate, as is the case with Bestop's High Rock line).
 
#5 ·
Threads like this make me pull my hair out because people don't read the original post. He's not asking for product recommendations, guys. He's asking very specific questions about a product he already owns.

To answer your original question: you'll likely pay more money to have something fabricated rather than just buying an entirely new bumper/carrier. It's not just the fabrication you have to consider; you also have to consider the time spent by the wielder to make measurements. You also have to think about the finish and paint. You're going to be paying in labor, too.

Additionally, bumper/carrier combos are engineered to fit their own products. Even if you find a swing-out arm that will fit your spindle, you have to consider how it'll line up at the other end (or against the tailgate, as is the case with Bestop's High Rock line).
The Exogate will work with any bumper. Since the company that built his bumper is no longer around, he does not have many options. As your own reply suggests.
 
#12 ·
I suggest you measure the post on your Durango bumper and post the results. I will compare them to my LoD bumper and others might help out too.

If determine something is close, call the builder and discuss buying just the swing out.

The key here is to make good measurement. If I were in your situation, I would use a slide caliper to get the diameter of the post. If you don't have one, it would be worth the $15.00 investment to get a good measurement.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I had no idea that the carriers wouldn't be the only things swinging in this thread! Hahah.

JB - Thank you for reading and specifically responding to my request, it is easy for a thread to go down a very separate path than an OP originally intended. I had a feeling that fabrication would be more expensive, but I really didn't have any experience to go off of. Seems like that option would be more money and have a higher risk for fitment headaches.

And to everyone else, thank you for the ideas and input. It seems that my best option so far is to consider a carrier that does not rely on the bumper (like the bestop) or get a new bumper/swing out combo.

Ultimately I'd like to carry my spare, at least a single jerry can, and a hilift jack. So far from my search, I like Dirtworx's swingout carrier for the TJ and he's local to me, so I can pick up directly, which is nice.

And just to be thorough, Jetmac, I'll take my caliper out and measure the hole for the spindle. I'm still curious if it is within reason to put another carrier on my stock setup. I think the latch is well within my ability to figure out, but I don't want to mess with the spindle. I'll post the measurement as soon as life allows!

Thanks as always, Jeepers.
 
#19 ·
Well I finally remembered to bring out my caliper on the way to work and measure the hole. The swing out connection is measuring 1.029 inches on the caliper, so I assume it is made for a 1-inch diameter spindle/bolt of some kind. I can feel threads at the bottom of the hole, which feel fairly coarse.

With all things considered, I'm thinking of getting a bumper+swing out through Dirtworx when money is available.
 
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