Want rear bumper for XLT

[Roert42]

I think it was a lane for a gas pipeline, in a national forest here in PA.

The loops on the bumper are for hooking your strap to to get pulled out or pull someone else out. You can put the blot from a shackle / clevis through the hole.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I did install flush mount lights.

You can get that bumper without the added recovery points for D-Rings.

If you go this route... buy their heavy duty bumper brackets too. They bolt on and are twice what the factory brackets are.

 

[James Morse]

OK. That's what I was thinking about, that it's been said 'don't try to pull by the bumper because it's not strong' and so this is different because you have a heavier bumper plus importantly you have different brackets.
Duly noted and thanks.
The anchored loops look nice too

Bolt on is the way to go for me. I bet if I started a conversation with AOR they could make anything.
What's really important is, they've done, I'm sure, 97 Rangers and even if they hadn't, which I doubt, they must have all the specs and they are used to making stuff that fits which is super important.
I think if you got each front/rear for 750 that would be a really good price and probably they would run more like a grand. But it's a big change.
Oh btw then what have you done at the front, anything different from stock?

 

[ericbphoto]

I typed this in 2 hrs ago and forgot to actually post it. Here's some visual. This is what @Uncle Gump means when he mentioned the D rings (shackles) that attach to the recovery points on the bumper. Second picture shows the recovery point with hard shackle, then soft shackle, then kinetic recovery rope attached.

 

[James Morse]

NICE!!
I don't see how that little cord can be strong enough.

 

[ericbphoto]

NICE!!
I don't see how that little cord can be strong enough.

Always make sure you know what gear you are buying and that it is the right gear for the job. Be careful buying straps. Some nylon straps are meant for light towing. Some are designed for vehicle recovery. Some are meant just for tie-downs and securing loads. Others are meant for lifting. Read the labels and buy the right stuff.

 

[Uncle Gump]

 

[James Morse]

Yes that looks just about like what I want for mods.
Are these front lights working off the fog light switch?
Are the door bars any lower than the diff's?
This is a nice looking truck
What size tires did you say these are?
Is truck lifted at all?
body color fender flares are good
mine are black or dark grey (on bright red) but that would work with black bumpers it would look sharp I think
THANKS

 

[Uncle Gump]

They also offer a full front skid plate... and you can do whatever you on the rear.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Yes that looks just about like what I want for mods.
Are these front lights working off the fog light switch?
Are the door bars any lower than the diff's?
This is a nice looking truck
What size tires did you say these are?
Is truck lifted at all?
body color fender flares are good
mine are black or dark grey (on bright red) but that would work with black bumpers it would look sharp I think
THANKS

Fog lights run off the factory fog light switch.

No lift... 265/75/16 on 8 inch wide wheels with a 4 inch backspace.

The step bars are gonna go... I'll make some rock sliders one of these days

 

[James Morse]

OK thanks.
I figured you had the 16" wheels because I couldn't find the Cepek tires in 15". The wider wheel probably accomodates them better.
I don't know what my rim width is I have to look it up but it should be fine for 31x10.5 they don't spec diff wheel for their 265/75/15 tire.
I like the look of step bars, but, my initial inclination was they could get hung up on things but maybe that's a non issue. It sounds like what you want to do is create reinforced like, bumpers, for the sides of the body. I would imagine you are mounting them to the sides of the frame perhaps? If you have cutting, bending, and welding tools you could do it.
Is the backspacing because of where the inside surface of the wheels is or are you trying to make the stance wider? It seems like they fit perfectly now they don't stick out the sides a lot.
I have fog light dash wiring I saw it and pretty darn sure I have fog light wiring in front, I see wires descending from both headlight wiring harnesses. Shouldn't be too hard to get the switch and bezel.
Then the other trail lights front/back you have installed a diff switch for them?
THANKS.
ps what are you carrying in TRS box

 

[Uncle Gump]

Dick Cepek brand was bought out by Mickey Thompson. The Trail Country EXP is now the Baja Legend EXP and they do offer them in 15"

Mickey Thompson | Baja Legend EXP (mickeythompsontires.com)

I went with 8 inch wide 4 inch backspace really for a better stance.... 3 inches overall vs, stock wheels.

IMHO the only thing the tube steps do well is give you dirty pants when exiting the truck. They're useless as steps and too weak for rock rails. I will just make or buy some existing rock rails and modify them to my needs. They will bolt to the frame.

The box on the back tire carrier is intended to be a "cook box" when camping. It removes with 4 bolts and the space can be used for a fuel can... or a 5 gallon bucket full of smelly trapping supplies... or whatever.

 

[James Morse]

Thanks, yes I figured they must have the 15" as I saw a lot of pics of trucks with them after I said that.
Really nifty. I was wondering is it only hinged at the bottom, looks like it, so that is still sturdy as a hinge, I guess. I see it's supported when open.
I'd assume the spare is there because it won't fit under because it's bigger? Or is there another reason?
So I'll include the Cepeks as possible then for my stock rims.
I guess you had to buy 5 of the custom wheels (and 5 tires). Guess there's no other way or you would have effectively a mini-spare with the stock spare.

 

[ericbphoto]

Correct. Most oversized spares will not fit in the stock location. You can crawl under the truck and measure to see what max size will fit yours.

With the swing-out tire carrier, it is important to make sure the hinge is strong enough. But also, to make sure the bumper will not flex and twist and make sure the bumper mounts will hold.

Gump’s support leg is a good idea anyway.

 

[James Morse]

OK thanks. If I go w/ 31" they should fit as it was an option, can't believe there would be a diff carrier.... I'll check though thanks for pointing that out.
Nice thing about truck is you can actually get under it.
I like that it doesn't have the spare tire lock. I did end up getting the key for the '99, but, seems to me like just another thing to break/ get lost. I suppose spares get stolen, but I don't hear about it a lot.
Probably if/when I get to changing bumper I will go to AOR and tell them what I want and they will know what to do. I don't see bumpers for '97 (they start '98) on their page but I have to believe they have done it and likely have all the specs for it.