Well it finally happened. After using my 4Runner for long overlanding journeys, off-roading, camping, logging, hunting and farming, I ran into something.

I dented the rear bumper on the bottom left and the clips all broke around the left rear wheel-well and along the rear fender leading to the taillight.

Due to needing to fix it, I am contemplating replacing with an aftermarket bumper.

I understand most rear bumpers require cutting of the factory bumper. If I was to get one, I am assuming the factory bumper would still need to get repaired first to add the aftermarket one? I'm looking for suggestions from those with aftermarket rear bumpers what my best course of action might be.

Thank you!

Look at CBI if you don't mind cutting. Not sure where your damage is specifically, but you cut a good deal out of the bumper to make it fit. They make an excellent product.

Expedition One is newer for the 5th gens, but from the looks of things you'll still need to cut.

Shrockworks and Hefty Fab both require cutting.

4x4 labs makes a great product that doesn't involve cutting, but it'll cost a pretty penny.

Thanks for the input. This is what I am working with:

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FYI, the labs bumper is awesome, but it does require cutting - but not the bumper cover. The labs bumper cuts out the entire rear cross-member and has a new one integrated into the bumper itself. Not less work - more. Gives absolute max departure angle you can get but you need to be happy cutting up structural metal. I did that surgery at 10k on the odometer... not for the faint of heart!

are you sure you broke the clips? They pop out of place pretty easily. Try lining it back up and whacking it back in place with the palm of your hand.

My bad, completely forgot about the crossmember.

simplest approach is to throw on a 2014 + cover. It results in better clearance and has 0 downsides besides still being vulnerable to damage.

Any steel bumper is going to totally screw with the weight distribution and you will need to modify the suspension to accommodate it. The lightest rear bumper out there will be the aluminum heftyfabworks... but be prepared to pay big $$s and wait a long time for it.

Another option is to cut your existing cover and get some tubes bent by a decent fab shop to form something that still looks good and provides the needed protection. Do a google search for "5th gen 4runner minimalist rear bumper" for some ideas... You will see mine. I have wheeled my 5th gen in very difficult terrain and smashed it many times with 0 damage. In fact a guy I go with often has the 4x4 labs. He has slightly better straight on departure, but in practice he hits just as much as I do and we both come out fine. The rear hitch protects the center section just fine for straight on stuff. It's the corners that are the main issue (as you have seen).

The limiteds and 2010-2013 non-trails had really bad clearance in the rear corners. The others are tolerable...

Randomly, I will be replacing my blizzard white 5th gen rear bumper soon and will need to get rid of the stock bumper... but I'm in the Pacific Northwest which I think might be far from you.

We have an almost identical (damaged) bumper!

I've always wondered if removing the bumper and applying a heat gun treatment to it would push out the small dent. Anyone done this and found it did the trick? I don't want to damage the clearcoat. Anyway, this might be the impetus I need to fix my own damn bumper!

I did the same thing to my 2016 Trail in June. I removed the bumper and popped the dented corner out under foot pressure. The bumper side clips didn't break, but the valance ones did. I had to affix the valance with an external screw, which is kind of kludgey, but it works. The correct solution requires replacing the valance, but I figure this won't be the last time I bang it up off road, so I'm leaving it for now. Good enough.

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I did the same, used a heat gun and a wooden block to push the dent out, didn't have to take it off. Unfortunately my clips are broken also. I've found a trail bumper cover online for about 200 unpainted, does anyone know if it will match up with a limited?

Edit: I used the low setting on the heat gun and didn't leave it in one place too long, tried to slowly bring it up to temp so I didn't melt it.

Love my aluminum Hefty fabs front and rear. Had no use or purpose for a tire carrier or swingarms... due to the amount of times I open my rear hatch and parking/ garage clearance issues where I live.

I can still fit a full size 285 duratrac underneath and it also came with a high clearance hitch. To get both front and rear bumpers took about 10 weeks. Well worth the wait and quality is top notch!!

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How does an aftermarket bumper solve the issue with the clips?