08-14-2017, 05:57 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 29
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The need for aftermarket bumpers?
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...
I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.
I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.
I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.
educate me, please.
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97 Limited 4x4
w/factory rear diff
B&M 70268 SuperCooler
216k miles and counting
It was supposed to be a cheap project...
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08-14-2017, 06:03 PM
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#2
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Join Date: May 2015
Location: Oregon
Posts: 716
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If you already know that you won't off road in a way that requires bumpers then don't get them. Get out there and do your thing. If you get to a point where you are doing things that make you nervous for body damage or you start dragging bumpers then you will answer your own question.
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08-14-2017, 06:17 PM
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#3
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Monroe, NY
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Real Name: Scramble
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Elite Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PayTaxesHailSatan
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...
I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.
I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.
I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.
educate me, please.
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I'm not a rock crawler either but I'm getting a rear plate bumper to carry a 33" spare tire, hi-lift jack, maybe a gas can & to protect my truck in case of a collision. Plus they look damn cool!
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'99 4Runner - 2.7L 3RZ, 5 Speed, 4.56 Gears - Lifted, Locked & Loaded - 166k Original owner - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ld-thread.html
'99 Limited - E-Locker- Stock (for now) - 233k 2nd Owner http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ted-build.html
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08-14-2017, 06:19 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CO
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Elite Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PayTaxesHailSatan
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...
I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.
I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.
I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.
educate me, please.
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My reasoning behind the armor was mainly for approach angle and something to mount a winch.
If you wheel alone and feel you may get stuck a winch bumper is worth a ton. The approach angle is so much better also so less chance of damage or getting hung up on the bumper.
__________________
1996 Toyota 4runner Limited - 4" Lift, 33's, AOR Bumper w/winch
1990 Eagle Talon Tsi- E316G @ 32psi E85 Tuned, 272 cams, ECMlink v3.0, 405whp - Gave back to Brother
2012 Toyota Tacoma DCSB - Stock on 32's- Wifes
2004 Cadillac CTS-V - 5.7L LS6 v8, 6-speed 400hp/400tq - My new DD
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...read-pics.html
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08-14-2017, 06:22 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Boulder-ish, Colorado
Posts: 1,181
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Senior Member
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My current stock bumper is twisted and crooked thanks to getting smashed on rocks. Wouldn't have happened if I had an aftermarket bumper.
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2000 SR5 Sport - 4EAT and E-locker, King 2.5s, EimKeith PCK, SPC UCAs, 33" KO2s on Black Rhino Boxer gloss gold 17x8.5, Savage/Lotus skids, 4xInnovations front bumper/sliders, Shrockworks bumper & tire carrier, Lil Skip Gas Tank Skid, Magnaflow Overland cat back
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08-14-2017, 07:24 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Columbus
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I'm thinking of getting a front bumper to mount a winch and feel a little better when off roading alone. Also, in the event of an accident, I think this is a plus and while it won't make your truck bulletproof it will help mitigate damages especially at city speed.
But yes, it's a lot of money to invest and if your truck isn't in great shape it's less relevant.
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2000 4Runner Limited 4WD - aka MudRunner - MudRunner's Built Thread
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08-14-2017, 08:12 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
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Location: Omaha
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Deer insurance.
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99 SR5 v6 4WD
11 SR5 v6 4WD
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08-14-2017, 09:48 PM
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#8
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: West MI
Posts: 154
Real Name: Lon
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Quote:
Originally Posted by repo
Deer insurance.
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For me...this.....
They may not be thick where you are but they are everywhere here.
Never hurts to have a lil armor "protection" in parking lot either.....just sayin.
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All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.
T. E. Lawrence
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08-14-2017, 10:27 PM
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#9
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If you are planning to go off road at all, there will surely come a time when you will need a winch, so a front winch bumper is a must have. A rear not so much, unless you plan to run oversize tires, in which case you will need a rear bumper that can accommodate high lift jack, spare tire, and extra gas cans.
Basically, a mild lift, oversize off road tires, front and rear armor, winch and maybe a locker is a good recipe for the mild trail rig that you speak of.
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08-14-2017, 10:48 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PayTaxesHailSatan
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...
I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.
I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.
I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.
educate me, please.
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Just watch the first few seconds of my friend driving my T4R..
https://youtu.be/R1uoueNKwqU
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08-15-2017, 02:51 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Colorado
Posts: 25
Real Name: Jeff
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Whatever you do, just don't go "halfway" and end up with a bush guard that wraps around to the side of your fenders. My off-roading buddies and I started calling those "damage multipliers" because all the people we saw that got those ended up with dents in the front corner of their fender when it flexes to the side with the first hit against anything, plus their approach angle was much worse since it had to stick out so far to go over their stock bumper.
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I SOLD my 4Runner, but I used to have: 2000 4Runner SR5, locked front and rear, 33's, 4.88's, 3-3.5 inches of lift, custom aluminum front winch bumper, custom steel rear bumper, supercharger, fuel mods, custom skids, SPC adjustable front upper control arms from ToyTec, revised Spidertrax RLCA's, full floater rear axle conversion with disc brakes, and a whole lot of other stuff
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08-15-2017, 09:14 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arizona
Age: 51
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For me, I try to upgrade when something fails. So my rear bumper, I took off and folded it in thirds to stick in the trash can. Didn't have much life left in it so I like to invest the money (if I can at the time) to upgrade to the best I can get to fit me needs.
Run what you have till it fails. Then see what you NEED.
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08-15-2017, 09:19 AM
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#13
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Doesn't sound like you need them. They cost a fortune, there's a significant weight penalty which in turn costs in gas mileage and performance, and offer LESS occupant protection in high speed accidents with other vehicles or solid barriers.
They are great if you plan to wheel for increased approach, departure, a way to mount a winch, extraction points, ability to tow a trailer, etc., and offer a great deal of body protection against trail obstacles or slow speed accidents. ....And....they look great. It just depends on how important that is to you.
Everything's a trade off....
Last edited by Sean K.; 08-15-2017 at 09:33 AM.
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08-15-2017, 01:21 PM
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#14
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Denver
Age: 38
Posts: 922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean K.
Doesn't sound like you need them. They cost a fortune, there's a significant weight penalty which in turn costs in gas mileage and performance, and offer LESS occupant protection in high speed accidents with other vehicles or solid barriers.
They are great if you plan to wheel for increased approach, departure, a way to mount a winch, extraction points, ability to tow a trailer, etc., and offer a great deal of body protection against trail obstacles or slow speed accidents. ....And....they look great. It just depends on how important that is to you.
Everything's a trade off....
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you make me sound rich  
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2002 SR5 // Lifted // Armored // Blown // OPN DFFS
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08-15-2017, 01:23 PM
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#15
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CO
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Elite Member
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean K.
Doesn't sound like you need them. They cost a fortune, there's a significant weight penalty which in turn costs in gas mileage and performance, and offer LESS occupant protection in high speed accidents with other vehicles or solid barriers.
They are great if you plan to wheel for increased approach, departure, a way to mount a winch, extraction points, ability to tow a trailer, etc., and offer a great deal of body protection against trail obstacles or slow speed accidents. ....And....they look great. It just depends on how important that is to you.
Everything's a trade off....
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Thats why I have just a front bumper. Too expensive for the rest, to much weight for a DD. Im going to add a front skid and that is it. The front stock bumper and skid take most of the hits.
__________________
1996 Toyota 4runner Limited - 4" Lift, 33's, AOR Bumper w/winch
1990 Eagle Talon Tsi- E316G @ 32psi E85 Tuned, 272 cams, ECMlink v3.0, 405whp - Gave back to Brother
2012 Toyota Tacoma DCSB - Stock on 32's- Wifes
2004 Cadillac CTS-V - 5.7L LS6 v8, 6-speed 400hp/400tq - My new DD
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...read-pics.html
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