Peter's Build: JC Offroad rear bumper etc...

These days I just keep my shackles in my recovery bag until needed. Too many times I’ve either lost one (or was stolen); or go to use it and it’s super tight and a pita to remove; and of course the top reason, because they’ll constantly be moving/shaking, and will eventually wear away any paint or powder coat from inside the shackle mount (which will then eventually rust).

 

I heat-shrank the shackle bolt so as to minimize wearing away the paint. Between that and the rubber washers on either side of the shackles, they don't seem to want to move much. I also bought another set of shackles to use to connect the visible shackles to my recovery strap.

Regardless kbp810, your way is prolly the safest & most secure....

 

Mine are tight on there with rubber washers, and the front is aluminum, but you’re right kbp810. On the back bumper, which unfortunately is steel, it will be a maintenance issue, keeping the mounts touched up inside. They look cool, so I don’t mind. Mine are Gear America with locks. What a great product, btw.

 

Hey peter2772000, I was wondering how you found the camera relocate process to be with your swing out installation? I’ve seen a couple of different ways to do it on YouTube, and just wondered about the Victory 4x4 method.

 

Not thrilled.

As mentioned already, removing the spare requires removing the licence plate & camera bracket by unscrewing a wing-nut.

No biggie, you might say. Yeah, I guess. Except that you'd need to use a screwdriver to do so, 'cause you've already tightened the crap out of it to stay put. Then, after you've removed the wing-nut, you need to separate the camera bracket clam-shell in order to be able to disconnect the wiring harness from it. Honestly, it's a PITA. On the other hand, I've never once had to remove the spare on my FJ in 10 years. So this is more of a principal than an every day issue.

Wire routing: Not sure they showed how/where to pass the wiring, but I had to revise the wire routing after the fact.
If I had to do it all again (and I might), I'd relocate the licence plate and camera to the drivers side of the tailgate.

 

Thanks, peter2772000! Just wondering specifically about the backup camera and cutting the wires etc. It looks great! Good job!

 

The wires get cut up top on the driver's side tailgate opening. Very easy to splice into the harness, just don't try to make all the connections at the same spot. Then you'll end up with a huge clump you can't tuck in properly.