Rear bumper with tire carrier
Cherokee twisted up off-road

  Mike and Kathy Houlette, owner/operators of Custom 4X4 Fabrication, continue to upset the market place with their high quality off-road products. Factory direct is the only way to buy a Custom 4X4 Fabrication product which keeps the price very competitive. Mike has worked in the steel fabrication business for over 17 years and is investing his experience in their home based business. Kathy is the accountant, office manager and quality control inspector. Their goal? Design and manufacture the highest quality accessories for select four wheel drive vehicles beginning with the Jeep Cherokee XJ.

  Several months ago, I tested the most popular front winch mounts for XJs (if you missed it, go to http://www.off-road.com/jeep/cherokee/bumper.html.) The Custom 4X4 Fabrication front bumper, winch mount and brush guard was considered one of the best designs for true off-road use and a exceptional value. In that article, I mentioned the Custom 4X4 Fabrication rear bumper with tire carrier and slipped in a picture or two of prototypes. Mike and Kathy received so many calls they proceeded with finished production models to meet the customer demand. This may sound simple, but in reality was quite complicated. Mike and Kathy know their products must exceed the customers' expectations and surpass the quality of their competition to be successful. The hinge assembly had to allow the tire carrier to swing freely and not require upward pressure to engage the latch when closing. The bumper had to be redesigned to hold the extra weight. The tire must sit high enough to escape trail obstacles, yet not reduce rear visibility too much. Mike and Kathy know what fourwheelers need, because they used their products on their own Cherokees. Now, lets take a look at how the bumper and tire carrier is designed, the installation procedures and the price of the various options.

 

Rear bumper without tire carrier

 

 Tire carrier assembly alone

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Cherokee right side angle

The optional spare tire carrier is another fine piece of equipment. Mike and Kathy held up orders for weeks designing a hinge mechanism capable of swinging smoothly for the life of the vehicle. A far cry from the typical bolt and neoprene bushing set-up so many of the competitors use, Custom 4X4 Fabrication uses a oil impregnated brass bearing to carry the load. Mike presses the bearing assembly together and attaches it to the swing arm to ensure it is done properly. The end result is a tire carrier that swings effortlessly with virtually no drop in height when open. Because no lifting is required to close the assembly, even my four year old son can close the tire carrier. This tire carrier does not attach to the body or require drilling any holes in your XJ. Since the tire and carrier add more weight to the rear of the XJ, Mike provides two additional support brackets which must be installed first. The support brackets use existing holes in the unibody frame designed by Jeep for the factory trailer hitch assembly. If you have the trailer hitch assembly, you simply remove two bolts, place the brackets and replace the bolts. If you do not have a trailer hitch, it is best to install the support brackets with the bumper removed using the bolts and spacers provided. Do not tighten the support bracket bolts until the carrier is installed to help line everything up. The latch bracket attaches to the driver's side using four grade five bolts (the lower right bolt goes through the support bracket). Mike took special care in designing the latch bracket to allow a small up and down ramp to guide the swing arm when closing. The swing arm assembly attaches to the passenger side of the bumper with four grade five bolts. Here the lower left bolt goes through the support bracket eliminating flex from the unibody when the carrier is open. Once the swing arm is in place and closed, tighten all the bolts. Attach the vertical tire holder to the swing arm and you are ready to attach your spare tire up to 33 inches in diameter. A larger tire will fit the tire carrier; however, access to rear hatch may be limited. An adapter plate is provided to hold factory or aftermarket wheels securely to the assembly.

   

The Custom 4X4 Fabrication rear bumper more than paid for itself shortly after I installed it. On a family camping trip, I was backing out of camp when a oak tree sprouted and grew to maturity right behind me. The resulting jolt rippled through the Avocado and I thought for sure the back hatch would be smashed. I pulled forward and leaped out to make an appraisal. Nothing? You have to be kidding! I told my wife that was the best $195 we ever spent (my deductible is more than $195!). There is no doubt in my mind the stock bumper would have been toast and the back hatch would have suffered some damage under the same circumstances (Have you seen those TV shows about S.U.V.'s rear bumpers? Not pretty!). The spare tire carrier costs an additional $190 and my initial impressions are very positive. I have not heard a rattle out of it on or off the road. The rear visibility is reduced about 25% with a 31 inch tire. In other words, the only cars you will not see are those that are so close you don't want to see them. The spare sits at a angle with the top canted in slightly giving you a slight pre-runner look and flowing with the body lines. Custom 4X4 Fabrication is definitely making an impression on the market and the market is making an impression on Mike and Kathy. What will this duo come up with next? To keep up to speed with Custom 4X4 Fabrication, check out their new web page at

http://custom4x4.jeepin.com or
call (405)799-7599 for a brochure.
For direct email to Custom 4X4 Fabrication try custom4x4@worldnet.att.net.

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