built this around a month ago, used a rockstomper hinge and paid 25 bucks for the steel from the yard<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />, i used 1.5" x 1/8" square tubing, plus some misc stuff for the tire carrier and gas can rack. i used all stainless hardware for corrosion resistance as well, its really not all that much more. heres some pics:

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here you can see the hinge and some reinforcing steel i added to keep it more stable..i think the rack weighs more than the bumper.

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shot of the latching mechanism...pretty simple and it works fine
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and the tire carrier. its bolted in so i can eventually drill holes to keep it riding lower, for visibility in everyday driving, and raise it up off-road.

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Last edited by eastcoast; 01/14/08 06:32 AM.

'94 X-Cab, EB inside and a few fabbed parts. My wife: "How about you stay on the road?" Me: "I drive a Toyota truck, the road is OPTIONAL!"