Trailblazer Rear Bumper Design/Build

[djthumper]

That looks really nice.

[HighSierraTB]

James, the bumper look great. A truely custom job.

[Trail X]

The best thing is... I've got extra room in my garage now! I can finally walk around the back of the truck.

[The Roadie]

I decided long ago that I wouldn't do a BL, so its not a problem.

I said the same thing for about 4 years. Then changed my mind at great expense.

Outstanding result, JD, and in a year or two you'll forget how long it took to be born.

[Trail X]

I've kept the body lift conundrum in the back of my mind... but honestly I'm hoping to continue to work around it. I'd rather make new fenders than do a body lift. Shoot, when I get to that point, it may be time for an SAS.

I'm hoping so - the gestation was long... but now at least it's on there and functioning. I already have ideas for modifying it a bit.

[Trail X]

Mounted the license plate.


It's also a bit dirtier this time.


Light mounted. Wires ran inside the tube.


Gas piston mounted to help control the arm. Quick disconnect on the left side of the piston.


Details and wiring for license plate.


Also did a better job of mounting the gas can.

[Zero]

looking great! My spare tire carrier was banged up a bit in my crash. the jerry can mount I made is def. trash now. I like the mount you have, so Im gonna do a google search and check out my options. I have till tecore to figure it out since the 4x4 season here is pretty much done when it starts to hit -20 hahaha

[Trail X]

In my ongoing attempt to make camping better and easier, I rigged up a little table that hangs off my swing-out.

It's easily removable and tears down in a snap. Fairly easy to pack away (though the table's a bit large... still working that one out), and the whole system is pretty light.

The idea is that food prep will be done on this table, with the stove on a stand beside it.


I used a simple shelving bracket system from Rubbermaid (I believe). Drilled a hole in the shelf bracket and added an eye screw to the bottom of the table. The eye screw goes between the halves of the shelf bracket, and the clevis pin is inserted through it, thus holding the bracket to the table (or vice versa).


The vertical wall mount was cut into small pieces and mounted to the swingout arm. The swingout was drilled and tapped. The allen-head machine screw was key here because it didn't interfere with the bracket as a hex-head screw would.


Both mounted... As you can see, it takes up very little room.


View from the bottom with the table mounted.


The setup is actually surprisingly stable. Easily holds up 40 lbs. No reason to worry about bumping it either, it's not moving anywhere.


I may go out and find a thinner piece of wood to use, but for now I think this will work fine.

I like it because it doesn't use any guy wires as I've seen in other setups similar to this, and leaves the entire top of the table open for use. Also, because it's spaced away from the vehicle's rear hatch, it doesn't impede access to the items in the back of the truck.

[fishsticks]

Love it. Let's go camping...

[bgwolfpack]

Bravo! Great idea.

Great use of company office equipment!

I'll be stealing this one.

[janesy86]

I like! Nice set-up JD, and also like how it leaves room for you to get into the rear with it down. And like you said maybe a thinner table would be better but def lookin' good!

[chevycrew]

Lots of great ideas, truely a great expedition rig.

[Gordinho80]

Great idea... nice work!

[Trail X]

I must say it wasn't entirely original. I got the idea on Expo:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/s ... post757041


http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/s ... post423159


But personally I like my execution better.

[dirty anton]

needs a couple beers on it though!

[Black EXT]

Nice! the BEST rear bumper i ever seen on a TB!!

[Skidder]

Now that you have added the 'Expo' mods, could you post some new shots of the bumper closed?

[Trail X]

Sure thing. Here are a couple from our big western trip:

[yalchga]

Ill be happy to purchase your old tire carrier if you need money for this project Haha....wow sorry sittig in doctor office reason up didn't mean to revive a zombie thread. Hardly noticed the dates my bad. This is definately an awesome bumper

[navigator]

it's not always bad to bring back a zombie thread, we have some new folks that might not have gotten to this one yet and sometimes it gives folks that have been here awhile ideas.