Aftermarket bumper protection vs Stock | Suggestions

[sugjavier]

Hi all,

So I got into a minor crash and in need of a new front bumper.

Was trying to find aftermarket bumpers which will fit into the factory mounts etc without need of modding/cutting/welding.

Found this: 1996 - 2002 Toyota 4Runner Front Winch Mount Plate Bumper

However, my questions are:

1. Aftermarket worth it vs stock? I don't tow or offroad really.
I get that one of the pros is that it looks better but if it protects more that's a plus. Seems to me that steel bumper is better than plastic...at least against those people that bump you in the parking lot without leaving a note or against slow crashes..am I wrong to think that?

2. Is this bumper considered as a "damage multiplier" ?
-I was gonna get it with the "front grill and headlight guards" option. Not sure if I need them

3. Does anyone here have this front bumper installed? Was there any issues in the installation? Any issues so far since you've had it?

4. Are there any other aftermarket bumpers like this one that you would suggest getting?
-I'm planning on keeping the car as long as I can. was looking at the Shrockworks for a little bit more but they said it requires some modding.

FYI, I will not be doing the install but instead a body shop. Most likely will get it Bare Metal then have the shop paint it vs powdercoat.

 

[Sean K.]

Hi all,

So I got into a minor crash and in need of a new front bumper.

Was trying to find aftermarket bumpers which will fit into the factory mounts etc without need of modding/cutting/welding.

Found this: 1996 - 2002 Toyota 4Runner Front Winch Mount Plate Bumper

However, my questions are:

1. Aftermarket worth it vs stock? I don't tow or offroad really.
I get that one of the pros is that it looks better but if it protects more that's a plus. Seems to me that steel bumper is better than plastic...at least against those people that bump you in the parking lot without leaving a note or against slow crashes..am I wrong to think that?

2. Is this bumper considered as a "damage multiplier" ?
-I was gonna get it with the "front grill and headlight guards" option. Not sure if I need them

3. Does anyone here have this front bumper installed? Was there any issues in the installation? Any issues so far since you've had it?

4. Are there any other aftermarket bumpers like this one that you would suggest getting?
-I'm planning on keeping the car as long as I can. was looking at the Shrockworks for a little bit more but they said it requires some modding.

FYI, I will not be doing the install but instead a body shop. Most likely will get it Bare Metal then have the shop paint it vs powdercoat.

Better for slow speed...not better at crash energy absorption at higher speeds. JFYI.

 

[Twan]

I have that bumper, and it didn't take any modifications to mount it. However, it bolts directly to the end of the frame so now it will transfer any impact into the frame. ARB is the only one who includes some kind of crumple protection, but I believe it also involves chopping off the end of the frame rails to fit those parts.

 

[Twan]

I do have a 1" body lift, so that gap isn't normally there. I also need to touch up the paint on it a bit.

 

[dogtail]

I have that one also. Here's a pic of mine before body lift. 4x4Innovations fit was perfect. Real easy to install. I coated mine with Monstaliner.

 

[sugjavier]

I have that bumper, and it didn't take any modifications to mount it. However, it bolts directly to the end of the frame so now it will transfer any impact into the frame. ARB is the only one who includes some kind of crumple protection, but I believe it also involves chopping off the end of the frame rails to fit those parts.

so will I be better off with the stock replacement bumper? seems like it has crumple protection or am I mistaken?

Also you're just running it without a grill?

 

[Twan]

so will I be better off with the stock replacement bumper? seems like it has crumple protection or am I mistaken?

Also you're just running it without a grill?

Stock has a little give to it with the brackets and all that. I do run it with a grill, I was just adjusting the headlights or repositioning the tranny cooler or something, I don't recall.

 

[sugjavier]

I have that one also. Here's a pic of mine before body lift. 4x4Innovations fit was perfect. Real easy to install. I coated mine with Monstaliner.

Thanks for the feedback. Any reason why you just went with the front grill instead of adding the headlight grills as well?

I feel like if someone swipes my front end in the parking lot, it shouldn't really do that much, and I can just re-paint.

What do you guys have for a rear bumper? I can get the 4xinnovations too for the rear (save $130 if I order both) and it says no modifications needed + it fits the stock size spare tire.

 

[Twan]

I have a Shrockworks rear bumper with tire carrier on order right now.

 

[dogtail]

Thanks for the feedback. Any reason why you just went with the front grill instead of adding the headlight grills as well?

I feel like if someone swipes my front end in the parking lot, it shouldn't really do that much, and I can just re-paint.

What do you guys have for a rear bumper? I can get the 4xinnovations too for the rear (save $130 if I order both) and it says no modifications needed + it fits the stock size spare tire.

I just wanted the one hoop, no reason really. You can go none, one or 3 on that one. I have the rear 4x4Innovations also, I like it. Here is is on my garage floor before painting. Solid heavy duty, well constructed.

 

[pluton]

Check out the TJM T-17. I had it on my previous Toyota truck, will acquire one for the 4Runner when funding becomes available. Mounting was easy on the earlier vehicle, nice product at the time.
4WD Parts - TJM Bars - TJM Brisbane | TJM Australia

 

[4Runner fun]

4xInnovations

I just wanted the one hoop, no reason really. You can go none, one or 3 on that one. I have the rear 4x4Innovations also, I like it. Here is is on my garage floor before painting. Solid heavy duty, well constructed.

Ordered mine about three weeks ago, sounds like it's set to ship Monday. Talked with Adam and had some mods done to accommodate my setup, He was more than willing to help out.
I also ordered the tire carrier, I'll be carrying a 37" spare with provisions for my high lift, and two NATO cans.
When it's delivered I'll post up.

 

[Lindenwood]

Indeed, you will lose higher-speed crash energy absorption with a steel bumper,and are more likely to see frame damage. But yes, if you are worried about parking lots, steel bumpers aren't a bad idea.

 

[dogtail]

Indeed, you will lose higher-speed crash energy absorption with a steel bumper,and are more likely to see frame damage. But yes, if you are worried about parking lots, steel bumpers aren't a bad idea.

I think I feel safer with a plate bumper even in high speed crash. There's deflection and impale factors, also if tied in with a plate front skid that's some nice brute. There's only maybe 5 inches of stock flimsy bumper for energy absorption, and at high speed the frame is junk anyway. But we all hope we never have to verify this ourselves in a bad crash.
But on deer, plate bumper if a def win.

 

[Cdntarzan]

One consideration to make is if you do get into a bender with the stock bumper, you're less likely to bend up the frame. Stock bumper tend to crumple and bend vs aftermarket tend to transmit force back to the frame. This is good if you want to go bashing at low speeds and highway doesn't matter, not so good for alignment and tire wear.

 

[Lindenwood]

I think I feel safer with a plate bumper even in high speed crash. There's deflection and impale factors, also if tied in with a plate front skid that's some nice brute. There's only maybe 5 inches of stock flimsy bumper for energy absorption, and at high speed the frame is junk anyway. But we all hope we never have to verify this ourselves in a bad crash.
But on deer, plate bumper if a def win.

The thing is, modern vehicles are actually really good at completely crumpling around the cab to absorb energy from the impact. So, while they are technically flimsy, in the grand scheme, every unit of emergy absorbed by the bumper crumpling is a unit of energy not absorbed by your collarbone into the seatbelt, or your chest into the steering wheel, etc.

I still rock steel bumpers, but it is important to remember a whole lot of time and money is spent engineering safe vehicles, and plastic or thin steel bumpers is certainly among the many evolutions of automotive safety .

 

[dogtail]

The thing is, modern vehicles are actually really good at completely crumpling around the cab to absorb energy from the impact. So, while they are technically flimsy, in the grand scheme, every unit of emergy absorbed by the bumper crumpling is a unit of energy not absorbed by your collarbone into the seatbelt, or your chest into the steering wheel, etc.

I still rock steel bumpers, but it is important to remember a whole lot of time and money is spent engineering safe vehicles, and plastic or thin steel bumpers is certainly among the many evolutions of automotive safety .

I've had a couple moderate incidents that took out my radiator in my former Tacoma and 3rd Gen. A plate bumper would have saved me from expensive damage in both. But yeah agreed on safety advances of newer vehicles. If I duel with a modern vehicle, I guess they will absorb my impact, especially if its a little Prius or something.

 

[sugjavier]

I just ordered the 4xinnovations front bumper after talking with the shop which parts they'll order.

Do you guys know if I can use the stock fog lights + mount with this bumper or should I order something else?
I'd like to have some kind of driving lights in addition to my headlights. Something legal to be used on the road not some crazy off road lights lol.
Thank you so much everyone for your feedback.

 

[Sean K.]

I've had a couple moderate incidents that took out my radiator in my former Tacoma and 3rd Gen. A plate bumper would have saved me from expensive damage in both. But yeah agreed on safety advances of newer vehicles. If I duel with a modern vehicle, I guess they will absorb my impact, especially if its a little Prius or something.

I would have thought the same....turns out...not true. Older vehicles impart far more force to the occupants during impact than even the newest "crumple zone" car when the two collide...even during the worst offset crashes.

 

[dogtail]

I would have thought the same....turns out...not true. Older vehicles impart far more force to the occupants during impact than even the newest "crumple zone" car when the two collide...even during the worst offset crashes.

I've been driving these 3rd gen/Tacoma since 1999, at average of 50K miles per year. So I'm at about a million miles on these. Been in several accidents with other vehicles, some pretty good hits, but only was 1 totaled. Faired well so far, but I know what you are saying.
But where this thread started off is on stock vs plate bumper, I'll take the plate for minimizing the chance of moderate front end damage.