Aluminess Tacoma Bumper

[MN4runnerman]

I've been looking into an aluminum front winch bumper and of course there aren't a lot of options but I managed to find one that looks like it could work. Aluminess makes a 1st gen Tacoma bumper and looking through the installation guide it seems pretty similar to the ARB Tacoma bumper. I'm just wondering if anyone has put this on their ride or if this bumper even looks like it would work on our 4runners. It's pretty spendy but it looks good and is something different than what most people are using.

 

[JayRolla]

Holy big bumper batman.

I dont know if its just me but that thing just looks too big, dont really flow with the lines of the truck.

 

[MattJakobs]

I agree that that thing looks HUGE, bigger than an ARB

 

[MN4runnerman]

It does look huge but the site says it weighs only 70 lbs.

 

[BrandonF]

It does look huge but the site says it weighs only 70 lbs.

The ARB is only 78 lbs (claimed weight)… hardly a savings.

I used to be weight conscious with my 4runner but realized its just not worth it unless you are building a high $$$ expedition rig. People also exaggerate the effect that weight has on their truck handling and suspension. As an example, when I went from my stock rear bumper to my 4xinnovations bumper (140 lbs, weighed myself), my rear suspension sagged 1/4". Same idea when I installed my front ARB bumper, full steel skid plates, and then my winch with a steel line. I lost a total of 3/8" up front. Not very significant IMO.

My truck has definitely become sluggish compared to stock, but that is primarily due to my 285's and stock gearing. All of the static weight (armor, winch, sliders, tools, gear) will not effect the dynamics of the vehicle as much. The location of the added weight also plays a huge role. Ive made a point of keeping all of my added weight low and as a result, my truck does not feel sketchy or top heavy like some do.

The only way I could justify doing a "weight weenie" 4x4 build is if I was to carefully choose every single mod with weight in mind and be prepared to spend a ton of money. Also keep in mind that aluminum body armor is a compromise. If you plan to actually use it in the rocks, its simply not going to last like steel will.

Thats my 2 cents!

 

[MN4runnerman]

The ARB is only 78 lbs (claimed weight)… hardly a savings.

I used to be weight conscious with my 4runner but realized its just not worth it unless you are building a high $$$ expedition rig. People also exaggerate the effect that weight has on their truck handling and suspension. As an example, when I went from my stock rear bumper to my 4xinnovations bumper (140 lbs, weighed myself), my rear suspension sagged 1/4". Same idea when I installed my front ARB bumper and then my winch with a steel line. I lost a total of 3/8" up front.

The only way I could justify doing a "weight weenie" 4x4 build is if I was to carefully choose every single mod with weight in mind and be prepared to spend a ton of money. Also keep in mind that aluminum body armor is a compromise. If you plan to actually use it in the rocks, its simply not going to last like steel will.

I thought the ARB weighed closer to 100 lbs. Since I don't normally go rock crawling(there aren't many rock trails here) it's more about not having something rust on me. Since I live in MN the roads are liberally salted every frickin winter cuz people can't drive in the snow and I'm doing as much preventative care as I can while also looking for add ons that won't cause much more work.

 

[BrandonF]

I thought the ARB weighed closer to 100 lbs. Since I don't normally go rock crawling(there aren't many rock trails here) it's more about not having something rust on me. Since I live in MN the roads are liberally salted every frickin winter cuz people can't drive in the snow and I'm doing as much preventative care as I can while also looking for add ons that won't cause much more work.

Even if it does weigh 100 lbs, you have to decide how much that 30 lbs weight savings is worth to you.

Salt and rust do suck. The powedercoater did a complete shit job on my rear bumper and its already flaking off on many of the edges and starting to rust. Though keep in mind that the thick 3/16" and 1/4" plate steel used for bumpers will take longer to rust out than any of the thin metal used anywhere on the vehicle.

 

[SoSoJeff]

the mounts may be the same but by the looks of the second picture, it looks like it follows the lines on the taco front end.

 

[MN4runnerman]

Even if it does weigh 100 lbs, you have to decide how much that 30 lbs weight savings is worth to you.

Salt and rust do suck. The powedercoater did a complete shit job on my rear bumper and its already flaking off on many of the edges and starting to rust. Though keep in mind that the thick 3/16" and 1/4" plate steel used for bumpers will take longer to rust out than any of the thin metal used anywhere on the vehicle.

the weight savings isn't the biggest deal for me. I just thought it was a good looking bumper for the most part and its something different that not many people have. And also being more suitable for MN climate(the reason I am a stickler about rust is since I also have a jeep I know what a POS rust bucket looks like and I'm constantly fixing it)

 

[BrandonF]

the weight savings isn't the biggest deal for me. I just thought it was a good looking bumper for the most part and its something different that not many people have. And also being more suitable for MN climate(the reason I am a stickler about rust is since I also have a jeep I know what a POS rust bucket looks like and I'm constantly fixing it)

True. You could always get something custom made?

 

[Hesk11dog]

the weight savings isn't the biggest deal for me. I just thought it was a good looking bumper for the most part and its something different that not many people have. And also being more suitable for MN climate(the reason I am a stickler about rust is since I also have a jeep I know what a POS rust bucket looks like and I'm constantly fixing it)

A steel bumper with a "good" powder coat job will last many winters. Steel only rusts when it is bare and powder coating is pretty tough stuff if it is done by professionals. Save the $100 and buy a steel plate bumper and spend that savings on a top notch surface coat. The aluminum is stylish but investing that much in something with no knowledge from anything else is a risk.