I love the looks, but it would be there as insurance more than heavy use. My rig is a daily driver (99% road use)

How's the long term maintenance on front end components with that kind of weight up front?

For those that have them on daily drivers, would you do it again? I would like to hear your thoughts and experience, please.

Thanks

I read somewhere that C4 fab is exploring the possibility of making their bumper out of aluminum this year. If they can reduce the weight I will purchase one. I think they look the best by far.

Honestly don’t see the point in adding all of that weight if it’s just for DD use. I mean if the 1% you do go off-roading it’s semi serious where you’ll need a winch to get out, then okay, but other wise I wouldn’t do it.

Even if you are doing it for protection this isn’t really going to save you. Not to mention it’s not covering the entire front end. Just the middle center. Anyone cutting you off is still going to take off parts of the front end.

SSO makes an aluminium option as well. Supposedly it only adds 19 lbs. I'll be intersted in C4 Fab's option as well.

One thing that sets SSO ahead of C4 for meis that you can order the SSO products powder coated.

Hefty Fabworks makes an aluminum version. Pretty spendy, but very light!

I personally like the SSO better, but then I have one. I am just not crazy about the winch access holes in the front of the C4. The SSO is also a tad lighter than the C4.

As far as the weight goes, the bumper and winch adds about 130# to the front. As I have a Toytec Ultimate with upgraded springs, I don't think there is an issue with front end components.

Mine is a daily driver, but when I do go off road, I want it to be capable. I had a 2008 Rubicon that I got stuck more than once without the benefit of a winch. Don't need that anymore.

I also like the fact that the C4 and the SSO have recovery points on the bumper. I know the 4 runner has recovery points in front, but they low and under the front trim so if you ever used them there would likely be damage to the front.

The weight of the bumper and winch does not seem to impact performance or mileage. The worst mileage I have ever got has been 18.0 in 7,000 miles.

Bill

I only got my c4 fab bumper because of the group buy. It wasn't as heavy as I thought around 150#'s with the light bar and 10k winch installed.

I'm in the same boat too where I wanted to have a rig that has gear available if needed.

Right now I was running the toytec lift with the bilstein 5100's and didn't notice any major front end sag. Handling still feels the same. braking is a tad heavier.

I at about 70k miles since I had the SSO installed. I have added a slightly heavier spring to offset the weight and had to accept a 2" lift to do that. But I would still do it again. I consider it one of my better investments. No problems with any excess wear on front end components. Hefty now makes an aluminum version of the SSO bumper, but it will be more expensive due to the material. I also don't know what the weight difference would be.

Sso steel = 67lbs starting at $676
Sso alum = 33.5lbs starting at $1165

Alum is half the weight but twice the price. For a hybrid bumper I would just go steel. If you just want to add just a winch there are hidden winch mounts available.

Same here with the group buy. Noticing a slight sag even with the Toytec 2" lift but looking for stronger rate front springs, just can't find any yet.

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Was simple to install and looks great. Have the factor 55 gear and will install this weekend

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4RunnerFront.pdf (1.00 MB, 316 views)

I am also looking for some stronger springs. It sounds like a 2" lift with upgraded springs may be in my future.

I went with the SSO for two reasons:

1) I prefer the way it looks.
2) I was able to order it in aluminum.

C4 Fab FTW!!! When you install the bumper you take off about 25 lbs in stock parts. 100 lbs total if you add a winch with synthetic line.

If you only do light off-roading then I wouldn’t bother with a bumper or winch. Even if you do group runs someone else is always bound to have one.

Rig looks awesome!! I went with the icon stage 5 kit also bc of black friday. Holding my breath it'll settle down the way I want so I don't have to adjust it!