5th Gen (10 - 13) Lo-Pro Winch Bumper

[plink-182]

Talk to Chris at Metaltech4x4

Just found this thread. I have a 2010 SR5 and was looking for something like this for a while. A year ago I was offered a prototype hidden winch mount from www.metaltech4x4.com in Newberg Oregon. Installed it with a winch and lightbar all in one day.

However, due to it being a prototype I will not post pics without permission from Metaltech4x4 as it is their Intellectual Property. That said, you might be able to find some sneak peeks on my Instagram page @pacificnw_hiker

C4 Fabrication, looking awesome. I'd totally be onboard for one if I still needed it. Love your rear double swing arm bumper and considering one when the funds are available.

 

[Modern Paladin]

The angled bar is sooo badass. Sad to hear it’s jot a possibility, but I’m still in for my trail.

 

[cutty01]

I've sent out a survey to the 59 people who gave [MENTION=147513]gibburnz[/MENTION] their email address. An email was sent because some names signed up through Instagram. The email with the Survey Monkey link was sent BCC to keep email addresses confidential.

In case there's a problem with the email, the link to the survey can be found HERE. The survey will only allow one respondent per IP address and will end on Monday, December 10th at 11:45PM PT. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Hi, If you haven't already, please click the survey link in the quote above to enter your preference. Even if you aren't on the original list and want to be added to the first production run, you can also fill out the survey and enter your email address.

Preliminary Results

• 33 Respondents
• 20 (or 61%) Prefer the bull bar as shown in the mock-up
• 9 (or 27%) Prefer the sleeker look vs. having a bull bar
• 4 (or 12%) Don't have a preference
• If the first production run doesn't have the bull bar, 4 (of the 33 respondents) will drop out
• But we have 4 additional 4Runners owners that want to be added to the list

Survey closes late tonight. I'll also send a reminder to the email distribution list.

 

[Yeti4x4_970]

Well I missed the email survey deadline but my 2 cents is I do like the extra layer the bull bar gives in appearence but ultimately I like the sleek profile of no bar. My vote is no bar.

 

[rmbertoldi]

Couple of mock ups from their old thread. I'm down for either, with/without bar. I like both looks but like the bar more. For the trail edition, it adds a little extra touch since the background is black anyway. For the sr5/limited, the background would be the body color.


One question I have is, is this going to be compatible with aftermarket skid plates? I have the RCI front skid plate. The image appears to have a gap between the two and should be ok but just checking.

Personally not a fan of this design, it's still "boxing out" and around the factory plastic "bar" shape on the bumper, while the current lo-pro iteration C4 is working on actually recesses into that shape like the model they make for the 14+ ..I'm sure there's other people that prefer that look though

 

[blksubykid]

Thanks for the feedback guys. A Tacoma style bullbar could lessen the bulkiness of the Lo-Pro by possibly about an inch or so. The problem with that type of bull bar is that they are difficult to make. Notching and then bending a piece of tube to fit that outside corner is very tricky and time consuming. There really is no way for us to use a tube notcher or similar tool to fit the ends of the tube because its a square shaped notch.


Our Tacoma bull bars are ordered from a laser cutting company that has a tube laser and cnc tube bender. They have the ability to notch the tube on both ends and laser etch reference marks into the tube so it can be bent on the correct plane each time to ensure a perfect fit.

This process makes sense for our Tacoma Lo-pros because we are ordering 100 at a time or more to keep the cost down. Making a similar bull bar for the 10-13 Lo-Pro doesn't make sense because we know we will never be selling nearly as many units compared to our Tacoma Lo-Pros and 14+ Lo-Pros.


So there is the long version as to why that type of bull bar doesn't make sense for us from a manufacturing standpoint. Lets let the thread continue for a few days to see what other responses we get about making the bumper stick out enough for a bull bar or not. As im sure you guys have realized, the no bull bar design is definitely where our vote is. It fits much better with C4's sleek function and styling. The 10-13 plastic bumpers already stick out and hang down farther than the 14+ bumpers so why make the Lo-Pro protrude out even farther than it needs to?

From a manufacturing standpoint, how much more would it be to utilize the tacoma bullbar? Maybe a majority of us wouldn't mind spending a little more on that design to slim it down and accommodate both designs. Just a thought because it seems the polls favor the bullbar and this thread for the slim design...

 

[cutty01]

Final Results from Survey

Ok, the results from the Survey are in.
[MENTION=146275]Yeti4x4_970[/MENTION], I added in your response manually even though the survey had closed.

• 43 Respondents (4 were new so only 70% of the original 56 on the list filled out the survey)
• 22 (or 51%) Prefer the bull bar as shown in the mock-up
• 15 (or 35%) Prefer the sleeker look vs. having a bull bar
• 6 (or 14%) Don't have a preference
• If the first production run doesn't have the bull bar, 5 (of the 43 respondents) will drop out
• We have 4 additional 4Runners owners that want to be added to the list

In retrospect I should've also asked the question - "If it DID have a bull bar would you still go through with the purchase of the first production run". I only asked if it didn't have the bull bar would you go through the purchase. Oh well.

I'll add the names of the 4 new 4Runner owners and note the 5 that would drop out if there was no bull bar, to the list that [MENTION=147513]gibburnz[/MENTION] started and he'll in turn forward it on to C4. I'll also send out the above results via email since some of the 56 people signed up via Instagram.

Hope this helps.

 

[sroodtuo]

From a manufacturing standpoint, how much more would it be to utilize the tacoma bullbar? Maybe a majority of us wouldn't mind spending a little more on that design to slim it down and accommodate both designs. Just a thought because it seems the polls favor the bullbar and this thread for the slim design...

This is what I’ve been contemplating as well.

 

[Pat_reek]

is it too Late?

Is it too late to add me in? bull bar for me if i can be added. thanks.

 

[cutty01]

Is it too late to add me in? bull bar for me if i can be added. thanks.

Please send a PM to [MENTION=147513]gibburnz[/MENTION] and include your name and email address.

 

[dylans]

I vote bull bar!

 

[C4 Fabrication]

From a manufacturing standpoint, how much more would it be to utilize the tacoma bullbar? Maybe a majority of us wouldn't mind spending a little more on that design to slim it down and accommodate both designs. Just a thought because it seems the polls favor the bullbar and this thread for the slim design...

Unfortunately the Tacoma bull bar is too wide to fit this bumper, otherwise we would consider using it.

 

[Alaska_4Runner]

Okay, I sent a PM. I want on this!

 

[gibburnz]

Test Fitting Time!!!

Alright folks, latest update.

Bull bar sounds like a 99.9% no-go. Most of the respondents liked the idea of a bull bar, but the design doesn't lend itself to a "lo-pro" look. Caleb from @C4_Fabrication will explain in more detail.

On to the next and more exciting point... C4 is looking for some folks willing to head over to their shop in Sturgis, SD for some front bumper plastic cutting and a test fitting of the prototype lo pro. [MENTION=241167]Siouxrunner[/MENTION], [MENTION=146275]Yeti4x4_970[/MENTION], and [MENTION=251890]mattycakes[/MENTION] had made mention at the sign-up time that they were fairly local and willing to make the trip. [MENTION=241167]Siouxrunner[/MENTION] actually made a trip there for the initial scan.

If you're either local or willing to make the trek to C4's shop (address below), reach out here on this thread or DM @C4_Fabrication.

C4 Fabrication
3461 Whitewood Service Road
Sturgis, SD 57785

 

[blksubykid]

Alright folks, latest update.

Bull bar sounds like a 99.9% no-go. Most of the respondents liked the idea of a bull bar, but the design doesn't lend itself to a "lo-pro" look. Caleb from @C4_Fabrication will explain in more detail.

On to the next and more exciting point... C4 is looking for some folks willing to head over to their shop in Sturgis, SD for some front bumper plastic cutting and a test fitting of the prototype lo pro. [MENTION=241167]Siouxrunner[/MENTION], [MENTION=146275]Yeti4x4_970[/MENTION], and [MENTION=251890]mattycakes[/MENTION] had made mention at the sign-up time that they were fairly local and willing to make the trip. [MENTION=241167]Siouxrunner[/MENTION] actually made a trip there for the initial scan.

If you're either local or willing to make the trek to C4's shop (address below), reach out here on this thread or DM @C4_Fabrication.

C4 Fabrication
3461 Whitewood Service Road
Sturgis, SD 57785

Sooooo.......what was the purpose of the poll if we weren’t going to get the bullbar regardless of outcome? That felt kinda misleading but we knew going in which design Caleb and the C4 team preferred. I know it’s their product and they have ultimate say, I just think the poll should’ve been just one questioning to see how many people would go through with the deposit if there would be no bull bar design. Of course, this is in all retrospect now but I do appreciate Caleb and C4 trying to get this done for us. I apologize for all the questions but I try to understand all angles...

 

[cutty01]

Sooooo.......what was the purpose of the poll if we weren’t going to get it regardless of outcome LOL

It was to capture preferences, but to really see how many would drop out if there was no bull bar. The poll showed that only 5 (of the 43 respondents) would drop out if there was no bull bar.

 

[blksubykid]

It was to capture preferences, but to really see how many would drop out if there was no bull bar. The poll showed that only 5 (of the 43 respondents) would drop out if there was no bull bar.

Understood. And I edited my original post above. I think it should’ve been just one question asking that. Like I said, it felt misleading at least to me, thinking we would get the bullbar with majority vote.

 

[cutty01]

Understood. And I edited my original post above. I think it should’ve been just one question asking that. Like I said, it felt misleading at least to me, thinking we would get the bullbar with majority vote.

Fair point.

 

[C4 Fabrication]

Hey everyone,
We apologize if the poll was misleading. The main purpose was to discover how many would not purchase at all if there wasn't a bull bar option. We also wanted to see if there was going to be an overwhelming response that was pro bullbar. Had we ended up with 90% wanting bullbar and 50% of them would not purchase at all if there was no bullbar then it would obviously make sense for us to offer the bullbar design.

Since we didn't have a response like that plus the fact that we feel the larger more chunky design of the bullbar bumper doesn't really fit C4's clean nice fitting approach, we have decided that we will be making the bumper without a bullbar option.

As of right now we had to redirect our time to some other projects, but the non-bullbar bumper is fully designed and ready to build the first prototype.
The next step is to actually assemble one, then get a 4runner into the shop that we can cut and install the bumper onto so we can make any final changes or adjustments necessary.

 

[mattycakes]

What kind of time frame are you thinking? Id be happy to come out and offer up my 2010 TE, just need to know around what time and I can start planning to make it out there from Denver. Looking forward to it!

Hey everyone,
We apologize if the poll was misleading. The main purpose was to discover how many would not purchase at all if there wasn't a bull bar option. We also wanted to see if there was going to be an overwhelming response that was pro bullbar. Had we ended up with 90% wanting bullbar and 50% of them would not purchase at all if there was no bullbar then it would obviously make sense for us to offer the bullbar design.

Since we didn't have a response like that plus the fact that we feel the larger more chunky design of the bullbar bumper doesn't really fit C4's clean nice fitting approach, we have decided that we will be making the bumper without a bullbar option.

As of right now we had to redirect our time to some other projects, but the non-bullbar bumper is fully designed and ready to build the first prototype.
The next step is to actually assemble one, then get a 4runner into the shop that we can cut and install the bumper onto so we can make any final changes or adjustments necessary.