Bumper Opinions Wanted

[P_nlsn]

I've been looking at 3-hoop bumpers for my '03 4runner lately and want y'all's opinions

I really like the look and the idea of the weld-it-yourself kits from Coastal and NWTI, but the Relentless Fab bumpers also look really good, they just aren't WIY

So what do y'all think? What are you guys' thoughts and opinions on the companies, looks, durability, etc? Any other suggestions for WIY bumpers, or preassembled bumpers that aren't over priced?

Coastal Offroad - 4th Gen 4Runner High Clearance Front Bumper Kit | Coastal Offroad

Northwest Trail Innovations - 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner weld together winch bumper kit

Relentless Fabrications - 03-05 4Runner "Predator" Front Bumper – Relentless Off-Road Fabrication

 

[andreylights]

I've been looking at 3-hoop bumpers for my '03 4runner lately and want y'all's opinions

I really like the look and the idea of the weld-it-yourself kits from Coastal and NWTI, but the Relentless Fab bumpers also look really good, they just aren't WIY

So what do y'all think? What are you guys' thoughts and opinions on the companies, looks, durability, etc? Any other suggestions for WIY bumpers, or preassembled bumpers that aren't over priced?

Coastal Offroad - 4th Gen 4Runner High Clearance Front Bumper Kit | Coastal Offroad

Northwest Trail Innovations - 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner weld together winch bumper kit

Relentless Fabrications - 03-05 4Runner "Predator" Front Bumper – Relentless Off-Road Fabrication

So I have the Coastal bumper and its the only one I ever had so my experience is somewhat limited but there are a few things I can share.

Pros:
- very light for a steel bumper (so more suspension options and more MPG and generally the lighter your rig is the better);
- VERY good approach angles -- I can go places that were not accessible before;
- looks awesome (in my case there are no hoops, but its subjective, I know, I know);
- easy to do (a friend did it for me for a small fee);
- price;
- they can change cut outs the way you want;


Cons:
- mounting a winch was a PITA (not sure if its warn's fault lol but I had to redrill the slot wholes to makes them fit the mounting bolts + relocating the control box);
- bumper leaves some insides exposed (like a washer fluid reservoir and a few other things) -- not a big deal but would be cool if they would cover it.

 

[montijo505]

I also have the Coastal. First welding project and it turned out ok, it hasn't fallen apart. No winch yet but hopefully soon. I messed up the headlight hoops (novice who didn't think about the hood opening and closing before welding, so they met an angle grinder).

The approach angle is insane, it's very close to the vehicle, much more than the NWTI. I originally intended to buy the Relentless Predator, but for the price I bought the Coastal, a welder and consumables to learn.

The washer bottle is exposed but simple to relocate in the engine bay with a smaller reservoir. I also painted the exposed apron visible under the headlights black and it hides it well, or you can also cut it.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[P_nlsn]

So I have the Coastal bumper and its the only one I ever had so my experience is somewhat limited but there are a few things I can share.

Pros:
- very light for a steel bumper (so more suspension options and more MPG and generally the lighter your rig is the better);
- VERY good approach angles -- I can go places that were not accessible before;
- looks awesome (in my case there are no hoops, but its subjective, I know, I know);
- easy to do (a friend did it for me for a small fee);
- price;
- they can change cut outs the way you want;


Cons:
- mounting a winch was a PITA (not sure if its warn's fault lol but I had to redrill the slot wholes to makes them fit the mounting bolts + relocating the control box);
- bumper leaves some insides exposed (like a washer fluid reservoir and a few other things) -- not a big deal but would be cool if they would cover it.

Thanks for the feedback! Now that you have it, do you think you made the right choice, or do you wish you would've gotten a different one?

Mounting it was difficult, which I could live with, but how easy is it to access the winch to use it? I think the most common coastal complaint I've heard so far is the winch's accessibility, so I'd like to make sure I'd be able to get to it when I need it without too much trouble

 

[P_nlsn]

I also have the Coastal. First welding project and it turned out ok, it hasn't fallen apart. No winch yet but hopefully soon. I messed up the headlight hoops (novice who didn't think about the hood opening and closing before welding, so they met an angle grinder).

The approach angle is insane, it's very close to the vehicle, much more than the NWTI. I originally intended to buy the Relentless Predator, but for the price I bought the Coastal, a welder and consumables to learn.

The washer bottle is exposed but simple to relocate in the engine bay with a smaller reservoir. I also painted the exposed apron visible under the headlights black and it hides it well, or you can also cut it.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

RIP your hoops

Thank you for your feedback!

Are you happy with it now that you've had it, or do you wish you had gone with the Predator or something else?

 

[andreylights]

Thanks for the feedback! Now that you have it, do you think you made the right choice, or do you wish you would've gotten a different one?

Mounting it was difficult, which I could live with, but how easy is it to access the winch to use it? I think the most common coastal complaint I've heard so far is the winch's accessibility, so I'd like to make sure I'd be able to get to it when I need it without too much trouble

No, I am very happy with it considering that it costed me $1k CAD in total (including painting and everything) and now I have a unique looking 4runner. ARB or Domello would have costed twice that and they are too popular in BC (for a good reason, I just like for my 4runner to look different).

No complaints about the winch access at all.

 

[P_nlsn]

No, I am very happy with it considering that it costed me $1k CAD in total (including painting and everything) and now I have a unique looking 4runner. ARB or Domello would have costed twice that and they are too popular in BC (for a good reason, I just like for my 4runner to look different).

No complaints about the winch access at all.

That's great to hear! Yeah, that's how I am - I don't want the same 4runner everyone else has, I want it to be unique and mine

Oh, sweet, that's good to know. Thanks again for the input!

 

[andreylights]

That's great to hear! Yeah, that's how I am - I don't want the same 4runner everyone else has, I want it to be unique and mine

Oh, sweet, that's good to know. Thanks again for the input!

I see from your sig that you have 3" BL -- you can always ask Brandon (the dude behind Coastal OR) to see if there is something could be done to the bumper to adjust it accordingly. He is a nice guy and can make it custom ish.

 

[montijo505]

RIP your hoops [emoji23]



Thank you for your feedback!



Are you happy with it now that you've had it, or do you wish you had gone with the Predator or something else?

No complaints. I'm happy with it.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[zig553]

I also have the Coastal. First welding project and it turned out ok, it hasn't fallen apart. No winch yet but hopefully soon. I messed up the headlight hoops (novice who didn't think about the hood opening and closing before welding, so they met an angle grinder).

The approach angle is insane, it's very close to the vehicle, much more than the NWTI. I originally intended to buy the Relentless Predator, but for the price I bought the Coastal, a welder and consumables to learn.

The washer bottle is exposed but simple to relocate in the engine bay with a smaller reservoir. I also painted the exposed apron visible under the headlights black and it hides it well, or you can also cut it.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

Do you have any side profile shots? I'm interested to see how close the hoops sit to the front.

 

[P_nlsn]

No complaints. I'm happy with it.

Awesome, thanks for the input!

 

[P_nlsn]

I see from your sig that you have 3" BL -- you can always ask Brandon (the dude behind Coastal OR) to see if there is something could be done to the bumper to adjust it accordingly. He is a nice guy and can make it custom ish.

Yeah, I've heard he's a great guy and tries to accommodate as best he can. I saw the website only lists up to a 2" BL, so I plan to shoot him an email and see if they can make the adjustment for a 3". I don't know how much this actually effects things, but from what I've read, the biggest concern/issue when making adjustments for a body lift is the structural integrity of the bumper (especially when winching, because you move the winch's force even further from the mounting points), so I wonder what he'll say