I want to get going on making a rear bumper/tire carrier for my CJ. I bought all the stock and am ready to go, except I dont know how to mount it up.

It will be made form 4"x2" square tubing with a 1.5" square triangular tire holder. holding a 33" spare.

I need to be able to tow light trailers with it.

I have heard that I can mount it to the crossmember if I am not going to tow with it or use it as a tow point. If I need to do those I need to tie it into the frame? Is that correct?

I am having a hard time seeing where I can tie it into the frame. It seems like my shackles are in the way. Anyone have any pictures of how this can be done?

I was also thinking I could leave the stock tow hitch on and mount the bumper above it on the crossmember? Anyone done this and have pictures?

Is the crossmember really that weak?

What do you think. I am itching to get going, but I dont want to jump into it and find out I have to start over. I gues I can build the bumper then mount it later.

Thanks
Tony

79 CJ 5, 258, T18, 2.5" rancho lift, 1" shackles, 33" MT/Rs

Yeah the stock crossmember is that weak. It's only 10 gauge stamped steel. To tie it into the frame take a 3/8 thick L shaped bracket and bolt it to the side of the frame with the other end of the L against the rear crossmember. Then run a bolt or two through the crossmember into the bumper. This ties it into the frame with the crossmember sandwiched between the L bracket and bumper.

so those L brackets would go under the frame rail and rap around the end over the crossmember, then the bumper mounts to them?


SOunds good. DO you know if their are any pics of this on the web?

thanks
Tony

I like the L bracket idea! I just installed a CJ5 receiver bumper on my Yj and it seems that the new bumper is stronger than the crossmember and so reinforces it, but that the weak point is the weld where the frame butts into the crossmember. Here is a pic of how I did it.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/lonely_web_troll/vwp?.dir=/pics&.dnm=newbumper.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
The receiver had an inner portion so I cut a 2 1/2 inch square out of the crossmember and then bolted it on with 4 bolts two on each side of the frame ends on each side. I think it should work as a recovery point but not quite as sure for towing

Originally posted by cjhunter
so those L brackets would go under the frame rail and rap around the end over the crossmember, then the bumper mounts to them?

No. Way too complicated. They mount to the side of the frame and to the back side of the bumper. Like this.
http://www.dana60.com/csp/bumpbracket.jpg