XJ Cherokee Rear Bumper and Tire Carrier Design Sets a New Standard!
By Staff Writer, David Jones
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.
![](/aimages/articlestandard/jeep/502005/257937/dj-photo2.gif)
Rear bumper without tire carrier
The Custom 4X4 Fabrication rear bumper can be purchased with or without the tire carrier. This allows building a rig tailored to your needs and budget. However, if you are considering the future addition of a tire carrier, you should order one pre-drilled for the carrier and save yourself the hassle of drilling eight holes. The rear bumper begins with 3/16 inch wall rectangular steel tubing. Mike welds mounting arms which bolt up in the same manner as the stock bumper, yet allows much easier installation than the factory pieces. If you twist just right, a 3/8 inch air ratchet will tighten all the bolts for you. The 3/16 inch wall tubing is plenty strong enough, but not for Mike. He inserts a short piece of 2X2 tubing perpendicular inside the bumper to strengthen the tube where the tire carrier mounts. The end caps are a piece of art compared to the competition. Mike takes the time to shape 1/4 inch steel to look as close to the factory plastic pieces as possible and leaving nothing exposed to catch on trail obstacles. The end result looks great with no gaps and no cheap looking cover-ups. Custom 4X4 Fabrication power coats all their products for a good looking corrosion resistant finish. Once installed, only you and the well trained eye will know the bumper is custom and capable of actually taking a bump.