[flamingjoe604]

Hi,

I am choosing between Steel & aluminum bumpers from Coastal Offroad. what is everyone's view on steel and aluminum bumpers other than Pricing, and Weight? I am leaning towards aluminum bumpers based on light weight even though it more expensive, but will there be any problems when it comes to towing?

Thanks

[koltoncj]

Originally Posted by flamingjoe604

Hi,

I am choosing between Steel & aluminum bumpers from Coastal Offroad. what is everyone's view on steel and aluminum bumpers other than Pricing, and Weight? I am leaning towards aluminum bumpers based on light weight even though it more expensive, but will there be any problems when it comes to towing?

Thanks

Hey @flamingjoe604

I just received my coastal offroad bumper but I got the steel version. I choose that one bc I'm doing the welding myself and am not that comfortable welding with aluminum. Also steel is a little more durable obviously at the cost of weight

Also note that the bumper is not rated for towing. I found this out when reading the instructions. They only recommend bike racks and stuff like that...

That being said Im assuming they just didn't want to be liable for towing issues and go through the hassle of getting it rated. So I may do some light towing at my own risk.. Unless someone smarter than me can shed additional light onto the subject


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[flamingjoe604]

Originally Posted by koltoncj

Hey @flamingjoe604

I just received my coastal offroad bumper but I got the steel version. I choose that one bc I'm doing the welding myself and am not that comfortable welding with aluminum. Also steel is a little more durable obviously at the cost of weight

Also note that the bumper is not rated for towing. I found this out when reading the instructions. They only recommend bike racks and stuff like that...

That being said Im assuming they just didn't want to be liable for towing issues and go through the hassle of getting it rated. So I may do some light towing at my own risk.. Unless someone smarter than me can shed additional light onto the subject


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Thanks, I meant to say Off roading recovery towing, but good to know they dont support normal towing.

[aemravan]

If it wasn't for the added cost of aluminum and not being able to readily weld it myself like I did with both the front and rear steel coastal bumpers that is the route I would go.

Cost was the main driving factor for me. My brother has a '17 rubicon with aluminum bumpers front and rear and they have held up as good, if not better, than my steel bumpers. You don't have to worry about touching up scrapes as they wont rust, the weight is SIGINFICNATLY lower, especially when you're talking about the 4runner bumpers... they are large and VERY heavy. IMHO aluminum is the way to go if you can swing it.

[Bigshankhank]

Originally Posted by koltoncj

Hey @flamingjoe604

I just received my coastal offroad bumper but I got the steel version. I choose that one bc I'm doing the welding myself and am not that comfortable welding with aluminum. Also steel is a little more durable obviously at the cost of weight

Also note that the bumper is not rated for towing. I found this out when reading the instructions. They only recommend bike racks and stuff like that...

That being said Im assuming they just didn't want to be liable for towing issues and go through the hassle of getting it rated. So I may do some light towing at my own risk.. Unless someone smarter than me can shed additional light onto the subject


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Any idea if a receiver can still fit below it? I have the U-haul recover that sits completely below the factory bumper cover and saw that statement on Coastal’s website so I emailed them with no response. I tow frequently with my Runner so this is a big factor for me.

[koltoncj]

Originally Posted by Bigshankhank

Any idea if a receiver can still fit below it? I have the U-haul recover that sits completely below the factory bumper cover and saw that statement on Coastal’s website so I emailed them with no response. I tow frequently with my Runner so this is a big factor for me.

My stock bolt-on hitch no longer fits because the new bumper adds some extra thickness around the rear frame that messes with how the bolts line up.

That being said, I see it as possible to cut out the area where the hitch would be bolted on. (Making sure to make up for it by adding a couple of bolts adjacent)

It’s a big project, especially if you’re like me and have never welded. Lots of fun though, and I recommend coastal, especially on a budget!




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[jwkilgore]

Originally Posted by koltoncj

Hey @flamingjoe604
Also note that the bumper is not rated for towing. I found this out when reading the instructions. They only recommend bike racks and stuff like that...

According to the website, "While the hitch is very well reinforced, we cannot rate it for on-road towing due to the DIY welding nature of this kit."

Edit: Ignore this part of my comment:

I interpret that to mean that their bumper and hitch design is plenty strong for towing. But they don't know how skilled you are at welding and don't want to assume any liability when your dirt-dauber(*) beads break loose on the highway. Not just the hitch receiver to the bumper welds, but all the welds holding everything together. 

That said, the 5th Gen is only rated for 500-lbs vertical and 5,000-lbs gross; it really doesn't take much metal at all to hold 500-lbs, even with significant overload factors.

The printed instructions may have different information, though, and would supersede the website.

Edit: I was looking at buying one of these. Both the printed instructions and the email correspondence with the company confirm the questions earlier. They very strongly state that their hitch receiver is not rated for towing. Now that I have the plans, it's quite clear that this bumper is a significant drop in strength from the factory Class III receiver mount.

That said, the factory Class III receiver mount is probably fully rated to Class III (10,000-lb) tow capacity, while the 4Runner itself is only rated to 5,000-lb. So even though it's weaker, maybe the bumper is strong enough to handle what the 4Runner can pull. But huge stress on "at your own risk".

And all that said, the company rep is saying the factory hitch is compatible with their bumper. I have one more question in with them, but it looks like I'll be buying one. I'll come back and update whether I can re-use the factory Class III receiver with their bumper.

Note *: Not a comment on your specific welding skills, just a general comment regarding low-skill beginner welders who may purchase this product.

[Bigshankhank]

Originally Posted by jwkilgore

According to the website, "While the hitch is very well reinforced, we cannot rate it for on-road towing due to the DIY welding nature of this kit."

I interpret that to mean that their bumper and hitch design is plenty strong for towing. But they don't know how skilled you are at welding and don't want to assume any liability when your dirt-dauber(*) beads break loose on the highway. Not just the hitch receiver to the bumper welds, but all the welds holding everything together.

That said, the 5th Gen is only rated for 500-lbs vertical and 5,000-lbs gross; it really doesn't take much metal at all to hold 500-lbs, even with significant overload factors.

The printed instructions may have different information, though, and would supersede the website.

Note *: Not a comment on your specific welding skills, just a general comment regarding low-skill beginner welders who may purchase this product.

What you’re saying is the years of experience I’ve built up with my little H-F buzzbox welder have been valuable but it’s time to upgrade to a proper professional rig. Hang on I need to let the wife know all the money I’m saving by buying a DIY kit is gonna get eaten up by a new Eastwood welder. I’m ok with that sacrifice.
Specific to my case, I guess I may never know if my low-slung receiver will fit below a Coastal bumper unless I pull the trigger and find out the hard way.

[jwkilgore]

Originally Posted by Bigshankhank

What you’re saying is the years of experience I’ve built up with my little H-F buzzbox welder have been valuable but it’s time to upgrade to a proper professional rig. Hang on I need to let the wife know all the money I’m saving by buying a DIY kit is gonna get eaten up by a new Eastwood welder. I’m ok with that sacrifice.
Specific to my case, I guess I may never know if my low-slung receiver will fit below a Coastal bumper unless I pull the trigger and find out the hard way.

I learned to weld on an ancient Lincoln "Cracker Box" stick welder, and have used that up to professional gas-engine-powered rigs(*). Weld strength is more about knowledge and skill than equipment. As long as your rig has the amps to handle the thicknesses in the bumper you want to buy, you can do it.

So what I'm saying is... YES! You absolutely need to upgrade to a better welding rig for this project!

Note*: I am not a professional welder, but I've been welding since I was 10 and have occasional access to professional-level equipment.