I'll agree with you on that. The kits from the actual companies are spendy and not as worth it since it is only a couple hundred less than a fully built one. I also feel like shipping would be a wash for a pre built and a kit cause they would both be a large and heavy package. And it is true with the time but I really enjoy building stuff if it is for my 4runner or not so I didn't feel like I was waist my time or anything at least. So while I don't think I would get one of the kits persay, it would just depend how tight money is and if being able to say that I built it was worth it also.

Yeah, it's a bit of a middle ground between built and scratch-built that, as long at it saves "enough" money, would be a fun project... not for people who don't want a project or don't have the means to complete. $200 for shipping is a overestimate, it won't cost that much, especially not being the size of a built bumper.

Front Bumper Plans
I'm selling plans for a 3rd Gen 4Runner front bumper.
Details:

• Winch Compatibility
• Signal Light Holes
• Bolt On (No Frame Modification Necessary)
• Cheap Materials (Roughly $130 for the Steel)
• Easy to Build
• Comes with an Extensive Assembly Instruction packet.

These plans give you the opportunity to enjoy a cheap and fun welding project that will completely transform your 4Runner. If you still want to design your own bumper, these plans will make a great starting place.

For $30, you will receive detailed assembly instructions, and CAD files for each part. These files may be used by a metal shop to cut out the parts.

Contact me at [email protected] if interested.

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Hmmm!

Just my .02 cents. A diy bumper will always be cheaper. I plan on the coastal offroad front bumper and it's about 650 including shipping from Canada. Compared to a prebuilt front bumper is 900+ not including shipping. That's going to be a 400+ savings just saying. I also bought and welded up eimkeith's rear bumper, even at around 760 with shipping it still beats the cost of a premade rear bumper. I ship a ton of large bulky items at work, heavy large packages will cost a metric ship ton more then small and heavy. There are people who just want bolt ons and there are people who don't mind doing some work. It just depends how much $ you want to spend.

Also if you plan to go the plan route, before you do anything call around to get water jet cutting quote, my experience with them are they will be so outlandishly expensive as they are a "one off" job.

Best of luck with whatever you get!

With DIY kits you gotta factor in the cost of all the tools and supplies you need to build the bumper too. If you're already set up to do metal fab then it's probably not a big deal, but if you don't already have a decent workspace and a good welder and know how to use it then it's going to cost you a bunch more to build your own than it is to just buy a pre-built one.

I built the coastal offroad front bumper in my gravel driveway with a Hobart 140 running flux core on a 15A 120v circuit. It took 3 full days, two harbor freight grinders, and countless trips into the basement to reset the circuit breaker because I ran a bead for more than 8 seconds.

The bumper kit is a good product and I'm mostly happy with it, but I didn't fully realize what I was signing myself up for with that project. You NEED good equipment, decent skills, and a good shop to make a bumper kit worthwhile, IMO. Otherwise it's going to be frustrating as hell.

Prebuilt $606 plus shipping

1996 - 2002 Toyota 4Runner Front Winch Mount Plate Bumper

Around 800 shipped to me. But it's also not my style/type, but happy there is a somewhat affordable bumper out there.

But yeah like I said in my post, there are people who want to do the work and people who don't want to do the work. Im not loaded with cash so I have to go the cheapest route which just happens to be diy you weld um for me. Either way do what you like and buy what you want 👍

This is good advice but I'll add that there's no reason to get a water jet quote. Plasma is more than adequate for DIY bumpers and will be substantially cheaper.

whats the weight of this bumper when all said and done?

the thing i hate about plasma is the fact that you have to grind all of the carbon off after its been cut. ive also seen a lot higher quality waterjet cuts over (most of) the plasma stuff ive seen.

i understand plasma will likely be cheaper, but there are trade offs. something like this bumper where you can get away with grinding off a couple thou and make up with the welds may not be feasable in another application. im just curious how much more water jet cutting is on average.

Thought I'd add my 2 cents.

I built Bandit Runner's rear bumper this past summer (on my back deck, using mostly hand tools and a welder running off a 110v circuit). It was a lot of work, but VERY rewarding. I get a lot of compliments on my bumper, and people are always impressed that I built it myself. His plans are very thorough, detailed and easy to follow.

All of the plate steel parts I had laser cut at a local shop. I'm in Oregon, and there are a lot of small parts manufacturers and machine shops here. My local shop always gives me a great price. There are a number of parts (at least for the rear bumper) that are constructed from angle or tube that I had to fabricate myself ... this is where the bulk of my time was spent.

Here's a quick cost breakdown:
Bandit Runner's plans: $160
Laser Cut 3/16" plate: $276
Other Steel: $173
McMaster-Carr parts: $89
1 tank of shielding gas: $50
Other consumables (grinding wheels, welding wire, etc.): $40
Mounting hardware: $25
Paint: $40
Total: $853

I've been looking at kits for a front bumper ... I really enjoy welding, but I enjoy fabricating the parts less. Ultimately, I'm not sure you're saving much $$ going the DIY route, but you will have the pride of knowing you built it.

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