What do you use for a rear bumper?

I'm daydreaming about getting some work done on my Jeep... Anyway, I'm trying to think of a strategy for a rear bumper. As of now, my Jeeps backside is original with a rusty crossmember and the drawbar setup. I would like to replace the xmember and eventually have some of those D-rings that Stan has on the front of his Jeep.

What do you guys do for a rear bumper? I was thinking about tossing the crossmember and welding in a fairly thick piece of 2x4 steel tubing. I would like to have something that sticks out an inch or two horizontally from the body so I'll be less likely to crunch sheetmetal if I come down on a rock or something.

Would I be better off replacing the x-member and then bolt something to it- like they do on TJ's?

What do you guys use?

Gracias,
mruta

 

i did that 2x4x3/16 tubing welded at the rear, 4 feet long...i like the simplicity.

 

In my 1st '73 a PO had made a bumper from a piece of 4" I beam. welded 3 2" square tubes to it about 6" long and then welded a 6" channel to it. He cut out the channel where the center square tube attached so he could use a receiver hitch. Worked great and was super strong. When a '65 Impala hit my rear at about 50mph, I took that bumper off and put it on my next jeep

 

I have the 2x4 on my CJ7. Bumperettes on my CJ5.

 

that is a complicated question. some of the thoughts I have are about what happens if.... with the proliferation of high ground clearance grocery store parking lot berm jumping luxury SUV 4 wheel drive behemoths that never see a dirt road, I find myself looking in my rear view mirror alot when I drive my Jeep. there is little that will protect me in a rear end collision with one of the above barreling down on me.
Just a flimsy tail gate. I think a bumper that allows the spare to be put on the back, to the rear of the tailgate is smart. The structure that holds the spare to the rear passenger side is not inherintly strong especially when you mount a large wheel and tire.
mount it high, to avoid off road drag, bolt your spare on the back, make sure your tail/stop lights are unobstructed, but some metal between you (or me) and the cell phone dialing, starbucks guzzling suv driver who might rear end me would be a blessing while I am trying to get to the trail.

 

That is my biggest worry when I have the kids in the back seat. You have to really work at keeping the Bone-Heads off your butt. I kind of like the idea of dragging a cannon behind you like the MB guys do. :twisted:

 

When I was rear ended by the '65 chevy, he kinked my frame above the rear axel and rode over my substantial bumper to push my tailgate and tub in. If we had stayed locked together, I could have layed my hand on his hook. Anyone in the back would have been killed. I don't know if any bumper would protect u in this case. I also had a rear mounted spare that absorbed some of the impact.

 

Thanks for the input guys. My main concern with regards to a rear bumper is not suriving a collision. I'm not driving right now so I won't feel bad saying that I don't have seat belts. They ARE in the works along with a full cage tied into the frame. My main needs for a bumper are: protection from rock impacts, possible place to mount a spare and other goodies, place to step up on and a solid mounting point for some D-rings. I think I'm starting to like the setup that Boyink has. I really wanted to get rid of the rear crossmember (using some 2x4 steel in it's place) but maybe it would be best to keep it in place. It would be kind of nice to be able to remove the bumper. Hmmmmm..... Mike, your bumper allows for a receiver in the middle, right?


mruta

 

Awesome.

 

I'm planning on building one out of 2x4x3/16 tubing. I've replaced the rear crossmember with some 4x4x1/4 angle with L brackets welded to it and then bolted to the frame. The bumper I plan on making is going to be something like this
http://myweb.cableone.net/wdohrn/H8Bumper2.gif

The front bumper will be the same, still deciding on if I want a front reciever mount.

 

Here's mine,
Pretty standard, 2 x 5 x 3/16 tube with a built in receiver. I wouldn't go any heavier than 3/16 wall on the tubing. The bumper gets heavy fast, especially if you plan to add a tire carrier later.

 

Lynn: I was thinking of doing the same thing. A good friend of mine did the same on a totally built '86 full size Blazer. He did a really "trick" thing thou, he added air fittings and a 1/4 pipe drain and used it as an air tank! It worked great. He could get 2 tires off & on with his impact gun. Jim

 

I likey the H8PVMNT design- especially how the receiver doesn't rob clearance. Mind if I copy it?

mruta

 

I found the H8PVMNT design over on JU so feel free to copy it

 

I have been putting alot of thought into this myself and found a jeep fabrication webs with some good ideas and links to parts. Check it out
http://www.jeepfabrication.com