FJ Cruiser: Rear Bumper Complete...

Here's the promised photo of the completed rear bumper.  Debbie found an awesome hitch receiver cover that hasn't arrived yet (a milled copy of the “Don't Tread On Me” flag) which will provide the finishing touch.

The orange arrow points out the rear quarter panel plastic that I worked so hard to preserve (much hand sawing was involved with this!).

The blue arrow points out the backup lights.  I've physically installed them, but have not yet wired them up (that's a job for tomorrow).  These are 55 watt halogen bulbs that are used as the headlights in many cars – should light up the world behind me quite nicely when I'm backing this thing up!

The green arrow points out the hitch receiver (2" Class IV). 

The yellow arrow points out the D-ring hard points.  These are on both the front and rear of the vehicle, and provide a very convenient attachment point for winch lines (if someone else is pulling us out of trouble).  All of these can hold the entire vehicle weight.  With these plus the rock rails, we've now got great attachment points all the way around the vehicle.  In addition, both the bumpers and the rock rails make fine places for the hi-lift jack to get under.

I'm headed up to All-Pro (in Perris, California) on Monday to get their help with the transfer case/exhaust skid plate.  They don't know any reason why it won't fit other than some design change to the 2013 FJ model.  I'm the very first customer of theirs to attempt fitting all this stuff to a 2013, so I'm the one running into the fitment issues.  There have only been a couple issues so far, and in both cases the fine folks at All-Pro have committed to me that they would make it right.  For instance, in the current case of the transfer case/exhaust skid plate – they've told me that if they can't make the standard one fit, they'll make one for me that does fit.  Can't really ask for more than that!