Convert swing down to swing out

I'm hoping to get this done when the weather warms up, trying to do it on the cheap so I want to reuse what I can.

Currently
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My thought
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Cut off the "hinges" that he made, which are basically DOM tubing with bushings and a bolt through them. Reuse on on the passanger side as the hinge (this might not swing easily, but I'm not too concerned as long as it does actually move)
and then use the other one as the locking mechanism, which I think will only need the bracket, and drilling the holes larger if needed to accept a hitch pin to keep it closed. The swing out bottom will be single piece of square tubing that I cut notches in to be able to bend it to match the contours of the bumper and reweld. Reweld the tire carrier to the swing away bar.

Concerns and where I need some input/thoughts..
1. The bushing hinge think it will work? Or with all that weight on it will I not be able to swing it open? They work fine currently in and up and down motion but there is no lateral forces on them to bind them up.
2. The hitch I need to be able to use it still since it's my only vehicle with a hitch, and it's just nice to have anyways.. If I just notch/bend and reweld to go up and around do you think it will be strong enough?

I'm thinking you leave the hitch where it is.

Keep the left lower hinge and the left upper pin mount to use as the two pin points. Cut out the right lower hinge and mount it like you plan, but have the square tubing go up and over the hitch and weld to the existing framing behind the tire.

I'd also put the swinging hinge bracket on the angled section of the bumper instead of that flat part. Save yourself a bend and gain at least 6" of mechanical advantage back which will help it swing easier.

Jacob, what size tires are you running now?

They look like 33's to me.

So Matt your are saying move the hinge to the angled part, check. Then square tube to about where the current passenger side hinge is and then just stop there and convert the drivers side drop down to a locking pin?

Corey, Adam is right, 33/12.5/15's MTrs

That's correct, but you'll want to use two lock pins since the current drivers side drop down allows rotation which will result in a lot of stress on the "swing away" hing. Keeping the lock pin on the rear hatch solves that problem and the structure is already in place so it should be pretty easy.

The two orange lines would be pins. Works well since one is already a pin and the other one just needs to be converted. From there you just need to weld your pivot on the passenger side and attach it to the tire carrier structure and you're golden.

So when you coming over to make this happen?

Pretty sure you already agreed to join a wrench-fest at "Matts shop" :p

...then again, it's hard to turn down an excuse to visit the Dryer residence :D

I'll bring a damn corded angle grinder.

I've got a lot of control arm bushing that need replaced along with something else flopping around in the rear end that I need to get worked out. Not sure if thats a day project or multiple days though.

Ah man don't want to reminisce about the angle grinder.... bringing me back to those awful days!!

Could probably knock most of that out in a "long" day.... depending how well your joints cooperate lol

I anticipate having to cut every bolt and replace them. Which is why I think I'm going to tackle it here.. The swing out, I might bring the stuff and if we feel like there is time on wrenching day in May maybe we can tackle that..

Well I started the conversion today, and killed my 10 year old angle grinder.. So I picked up a new Porter Cable one, and will be back to work on it tomorrow, and hopefully have it mostly finished up.

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Making quick work of that man!

"finished" it today, I put that in quotes because I'd still like to figure out a way to mount my hi-lift back there, and maybe relocate the license plate. But overall it's functional, it's not pretty, but it works...

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...0_113150-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...0_172409-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...0_172418-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...0_172449-1.jpg

Here is where I ran into a problem, I didn't weld the hinge with this pin in place.. the hinge setup was a pain in the a$$ so I had to improvise.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...0_172556-1.jpg

Mission accomplished.. good thing it's an old xj, everything looks a little rough on this thing so those welds aren't out of place :P
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...2_153121-1.jpg

Nice plate gusset..
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...2_164830-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...2_165213-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...2_165220-1.jpg

Overall I'm into it for $30 maybe? plus replacing my 10 year old angle grinder at $40 but that thing was a used and abused ryobi so I can't complain. Hopefully my "hinge" holds up, it's got some droop when open but so far so good..

Came out pretty good man. Since the tire was on such an angle from the start, that little "oops" didn't really hurt the overall outcome.

Is that an 18v dewalt grinder i see there????? :p

Yea it works great for cleaning up with a wire brush, but cutting it's useless, but you already know that don't you?

:(