+1 on the 4XInnovations bumpers. I have them on both ends of my '99. They are 100% bolt on.

Small note, however - they have LOTS of large bolts holding them on with a 99+ 4Runner. They bolt on to a 96-98 4Runner as well - but they won't be as securely bolted in place because it uses the crash beam mounts that the 99+ trucks have. 96-98 trucks just have little replaceable crush cans on the end of the frame, held on by a single small bolt. The 4XI bumper can use that small bolt, along with the 2 larger 'side facing' bolts on the frame. But it's not quite as strong as the 99+ mounting.

My wife initially bolted hers onto her '96 with no frame mods, but after a bit we decided to make it a bit stronger. Took the bumper off, carefully cut the early style end off the frame, and then I used the flanges from my crash beam and welded those on in place. Now it bolts on with the full complement of large bolts (10 instead of 4).

+1.

You can do amazing.. and I mean amazing.. things offroad with a 100% oem bumper (front or rear).

I've even seen people fab up winch mounts inside the 99+ fatlip bumpers, too.

As previously stated in post #12 R E T I R E D

+1 for 4xI. I don't have one of their front bumpers but I have a rear bumper with a swingout and it is a fantastic product. Beautiful welds, perfectly square, and bolted on like a factory product.

They are HEAVY, so the shipping is reasonable for what it is if you ask me. Mine showed up on my front porch 2 days after it shipped. I'm pretty sure my fedex guy is plotting his revenge though...

Trying to figure the weight penalty. Can anyone tell me what the OEM bumper weighs?

I have the same question.

I am sure there is a slight weight difference between the 96-98 and the newer fat lip bumper which has more plastics included, I have read reference to 40lbs but not indicated which model year and I also looked at individual fat lip
components which indicated 20lbs for the inner and 36lbs for the out assembly for a total of 56lbs.

If it wasn't middle of winter and I wasn't so lazy I have considered removing mine and weighing just for personal knowledge, Weight is weight but I dont think a 50lb weight penalty would be all that unreasonable.

$606 sale price good thru 1-26-2020 I am still hoping to luck into a used bumper for a good price.

Still, adding front and rear bumpers will cost you around 100 pounds or more over stock. These things don't have a big payload capacity.

I just put an order in for the 4X Front and Rear bumpers

Anyone have preferences for which Winch to use? I'd like something that can fit easily inside that bumper w/o any mods or changes and of course won't fail when you need it. I'm also leaning towards synthetic, but am open to opinions. Most of my wheeling is rocks/desert (some forest, but in general I hate mud). Thanks!

And yet you see others adding bumpers trailer hitches, high lift jacks, winches, roof racks and or roof tents,air compressors etc etc.

Maybe I can loose 10lbs per side removing running boards.

And then drill lightening holes in the OEM bumpers!

keep in mind you arent accounting for the weight of a winch. i did a quick google search and the first result i found that actually had good info said 70-100lbs with steel cable, subtract 30lbs for a synthetic line. other responses seemed in line with this.

some quick and dirty math:
80-100lbs for bumper
70-100 lbs for steel wire winch:

150-200lbs bumper with steel wire. subtracting 30 from both ends yields 120-170lbs with a synthetic line.

subtract that from your 56lb # you got and we are left with:
94-144lb weight increase with steel line
64-114 lb weight increase with synthetic line.

again, just some quick and dirty math. but you can see how quickly the weight adds up; even with removing the 56 lb stock bumper. we havent taken other things that hang off the bumper (such as shackles, lights, or any hoops) into weight consideration so your end number may acutally be slightly higher.

Obvious if you hang more shit on it its going to weigh more.

If you could add all the same crap to a stock bumper it would weigh more as well.

Heehawed back and fourth for several days and finally hit the order button a few minutes ago, Should find out if it was worth the $ in 2-4 weeks.

The early bumpers have no inner bumper reinforcement. What you see on the outside is what you get. The 99+ went to the fat lip to add 5mph bumpers (basically) to the structure, which required pushing the outer bumper forward.

So, for early 4Runners, there is a larger weight penalty for a plate bumper.

-Charlie

well duh, thats how weight/mass works. i was merely showing that you dont just 'loose' the 56 lbs when removing the stock bumper and adding a winch and a plate bumper via some quick and dirty math. the weight adds up really quickly.

even with a synthetic line, the winch takes up all of the 56lbs you just lost and then some. and we havent even factored in the additional 80-100 pounds a steel plate bumper adds yet. the last potential issue you are introducing with all of the added weight is sag if you dont have the correct spring rate (more $$). thats why ive been in the market for a lighter weight minimalistic bumper that can take a winch. im probably limited to tube bumpers at this point, but i havent found one that looks good yet (IMO).

Mstudt's point still stands. Burning that much windshield time pretending to be a UPS driver is a poor use of time.

I sure I'm doing more exciting things when I'm retired than couriering bumpers to and fro.