Once again I am impressed with the quality, fit, and finish of a product from Custom 4X4 Fabrication in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. When I made the move from an XJ Cherokee to a TJ Wrangler earlier this year, I knew there would be challenges living with less room. I have a pack mule off-road trailer to haul the family necessities; however, the TJ does not come equipped to tow a trailer. The need for a trailer hitch quickly justified a desire for a rear bumper and tire carrier assembly capable of supporting future accessories. Since I enjoyed the Custom 4X4 Fabrication rear bumper and tire carrier on my '88 Cherokee for nearly 100K miles, I figured I would call Mike Houlette, owner/manager, and see if they had expanded to the Wrangler line. Sure enough, Mike said they were ready to enter the Wrangler market and now have bumpers and accessories for the Wrangler YJ and TJ.

I used the old "Look honey for a few dollars more than a bolt-on receiver hitch I can get this neat rear bumper and tire carrier". Yeah, I got the evil eye but convinced her it was best in the long run. One of the first things you will notice when opening the well padded box from Custom 4X4 is the high quality powder coating. The bumpers on my Cherokee did not need any touch-up paint for the five years I owned them and I expect these new products to give similar service. Two other companies' products I tested required removal and repainting after the first year! The next thing you will notice is the trick latch setup unique to their rear tire carrier assembly. The latch provides easy one handed opening and closing operations. It is rattle free and closes silently. The laser cut handle is predrilled for a pad lock to secure the tire rack system when necessary. The tire carrier hinges easy on Timken bearings that ensure no sag even when fully outfitted with accessories. How a tire carrier's hinge assembly is constructed is essential for long term sag and rattle free operations. Five to ten years ago manufacturers were using polyurethane bushings in their hinge assemblies that have a tendency to compress under load causing sag and eventual rattling. Many have altered their design to use a bearing assembly just as Custom 4X4 has from the start.

Installation of your bumper and tire carrier is straightforward and can be completed in an afternoon with hand tools. The bumper attaches to the rear cross member using the eight holes vacated by the factory bumper (junk) and includes two additional brackets which run parallel along the frame rail to provide additional support.

The integrated 2" receiver hitch is installed through the 3X5 inch rectangular tube and welded on both sides to provide maximum strength and ground clearance. The receiver provides an excellent tow strap attachment point for those times when you need a little help from a friend. Simply remove the pin, insert the looped end of the strap in the receiver and replace the pin. The pull is centered and secure.

Custom 4X4 also provides many of the most popular rear carrier accessories for your YJ/TJ. The high lift jack carrier is well thought out to ensure unhindered operation of soft or hard top rear windows. In addition, strategically placed holes are provided to facilitate pad locking the jack to the carrier. The rear can carrier attaches through the center cap of the spare tire and can be used with the GI style metal cans or the newer style plastic cans with an optional military style carrier attachment (as seen in the photos). The most recent accessory is the ever-popular cargo rack shown on a lifted TJ with 35-inch tall tires.

Due to Custom 4X4's low overhead, they provide more quality for the dollar than other brands. The bumper/tire carrier package costs $487 compared to the competition's $650+ price tag. The high lift carrier goes for $45, the gas can carrier $80 and the cargo rack for $195. Custom 4X4 Fabrication is definitely a player in the high quality end of Jeep bumpers and accessories. For more information, contact Custom 4X4 at 1-800-951-C4X4.