Bumper Talk

[alleghenyman]

I'm interested in getting some aftermarket front and rear bumpers for for 4Runner and want to know what are my best options. I am looking at wheeling on trails rather than rock crawling but badassness is one of my criteria.

Outdoor Logic's plate bumpers seem like a what I am looking for - anyone have any thoughts on their quality?

CBI's hybrid bumper looks good too - I worry that it will trap a lot of salt and mud and rust more quickly if it's been abused. How well does powdercoating hold up?

I also like Addicted's tube bumpers but worry about rust, whether they will let too much crud into the engine compartment in daily driving, and whether they will pass Pennsylvania inspection laws.

Which brings me to my last question. It seems like most of these shops are out west and take custom orders. How many of you get them made local to where you live, what kind of shop does that, and are you aware of any shops near Pittsburgh?

 

[Slow_T4R]

Check out my build thread(in my sig) I talk about the addicted Offroad bumper a lot and show it being mounted etc. But if you don't want to do that, I can say I am extremely pleased with my AOR bumper.

 

[downpour11]

Each bumper you listed is top-notch quality. You can't go wrong with any of them. The only ones you left out were 4xinnovations, Shrockworks and ARB.

 

[NateMob]

Savage Offroad makes nice parts for our 4Runners also.

 

[4runner269]

I was just thinking about making a thread on this very topic. But ive narrowed it down to one of the two.
1. 4x innovations bumper
2. Addicted bumper

 

[hrt4me]

which, if any, of these front bumpers retain the proper stock functionality and effectiveness of the factory supplemental restraint system?
or do they all compromise the air bags to some degree, albeit possibly some (e.g. Shrockworks, ARB) less than others?

 

[alleghenyman]

Check out my build thread(in my sig) I talk about the addicted Offroad bumper a lot and show it being mounted etc. But if you don't want to do that, I can say I am extremely pleased with my AOR bumper.

Nice build thread. My truck is the same color as yours and I like the tube bumpers a lot, if I can get over the road crud concern. What is your neighbor cutting with that torch? I want something that more or less bolts on.

 

[MX4R]

I have addicted front and rear. Excellent fit. Very beefy. Look awesome. Mine is the silver limited in their pics. I also live in PA, no inspection issues. Use a good couple coats of primer and spray on bed liner. No rust issues.

 

[dustskr72]

I'm interested in getting some aftermarket front and rear bumpers for for 4Runner and want to know what are my best options. I am looking at wheeling on trails rather than rock crawling but badassness is one of my criteria.

Outdoor Logic's plate bumpers seem like a what I am looking for - anyone have any thoughts on their quality?

CBI's hybrid bumper looks good too - I worry that it will trap a lot of salt and mud and rust more quickly if it's been abused. How well does powdercoating hold up?

I also like Addicted's tube bumpers but worry about rust, whether they will let too much crud into the engine compartment in daily driving, and whether they will pass Pennsylvania inspection laws.

Which brings me to my last question. It seems like most of these shops are out west and take custom orders. How many of you get them made local to where you live, what kind of shop does that, and are you aware of any shops near Pittsburgh?

I went with ARB. It's the only one that is air bag rated. If you smack a deer in Western PA, or if you have kids, its the only way to fly. Also, I am moving back South of the Burgh from Colorado. Looking for some folks to wheel with.

 

[jadefox]

We're looking at an ARB too with one of the selling points being their integration with air bag systems and the work they have done in that regard. The trouble is, of course that other manufacturers say it doesn't matter and ARB doesn't make a front bumper specific to a 3rd gen. Thanks for this thread, as we're going through the same thought process right now (we're in Maine).

 

[dustskr72]

The Taco bumper fits with some modification to the frame rails. The other bumpers look cool, but in an accident etc. you are safer with the arb. Installing mine this week.I will post some pics. My buddy rear ended my other buddy's Landcruiser with a 4xinnovations bumper at San Rafael Swell last year. Landcruiser had a rear Slee bumper. 4runners bumper folded like aluminum foil. Totaled his truck. Cruiser blew out the back window. You can check out pictures on IH8MUD, clubhouses, Bookcliff Cruisers, San Rafael Swell thread.

 

[ellner357]

My personal love is the ARB but I don't have one yet either.

 

[Jon]

Air bag rated? Sorry guys but you're taking this offroad right? Bump a tree or rock and POW! Sounds like fun. That's not a selling point as far as I'm concerned. If I hit a deer, the last thing I want is a face full of air bag!

I like my Addicted front, also a fan of the Outdoor Logic. Unless you do it like Downpour11 and don't bother tossing a winch in it!

As for rears, if I get one it will be the CBI.

 

[downpour11]

I'm just gonna rig up a fishing reel with some fishing line in it with a hook til I can afford a winch lol

 

[KSWAY]

Air bag rated? Sorry guys but you're taking this offroad right? Bump a tree or rock and POW! Sounds like fun. That's not a selling point as far as I'm concerned. If I hit a deer, the last thing I want is a face full of air bag!

I like my Addicted front, also a fan of the Outdoor Logic. Unless you do it like Downpour11 and don't bother tossing a winch in it!

As for rears, if I get one it will be the CBI.

Right here buddy...1996-02 Toyota 4Runner CBI Offroad Rear Plate Bumper


Rob..You can sell me your bumper and buy a winch lol..

 

[KSWAY]

I can't make up my mind between plate or tube.

 

[the great him]

kinda off topic but i think this needs to be said

i think some people have a misunderstanding of the term air bag compatible or "rated" ect. this means the bumper and its mounts retains the factory crumple zones... not having the crumple zones, will increase the risk of an air bag deployment in lesser "impacts"... there is no specific sensor in the bumper that detects an impact.... how your air bags are triggered is by a "g-force" type sensor, or an "accelerometer" that detects the abruptness of a stop or change of direction -say from an impact... having a built in crumple zone such as the ones toyota and other auto manufactures put in their bumper mounts will absorb some of that impact, lessening the abruptness of the stop, thus reducing the possibility of an unnecessary air bag deployment. the same applys for ARBs bumper design. ARBs crumple zones are in red in the picture below, they can also be replaced if damaged much cheaper than putting a new frame under your truck, or new section of frame...


having a hard/static mounted bumper will not only transfer the energy directly to the frame resulting in much greater damage that in most cases will be more costly and difficult to fix, but also increase the chances of a unnecessary air bag deployment, there will be no "buffer zone".

think of it like this; run and jump/dive onto a mattress on the floor, then try it without the mattress... or probably a better analogy is to jump off a high dive(3meter spring board) and do a belly flop into the pool, then try doing a belly flop off the roof of your house onto your driveway or even lawn... sure both are gonna hurt, but you will walk away from one with a lot less injuries.

 

[Jon]

Roger that kid! I was thinking it maintained airbag deployment.:tape:

Never the less, I'd never be caught with that snowplow on my truck! Just not my style. To each his own

Rob, next time you come by we can rig your winch up, I've got a few reels in the garage. The deep sea one would be perfect:fishing::cheers:

KSWAY- thanks man but if I do a rear it's gonna be a carrier setup. Partially why I go the supercharger!

 

[jadefox]

Air bag rated? Sorry guys but you're taking this offroad right? Bump a tree or rock and POW! Sounds like fun. That's not a selling point as far as I'm concerned. If I hit a deer, the last thing I want is a face full of air bag!

My understanding is it cuts both ways with air bag deployment, and just like you're not going to deploy an airbag when you hit a light pole in the parking lot, you're also not going to deploy an airbag with a tree bump in the field (my understanding is that's not how the sensors work). From talking to some ARB folks, it's not that the ARB bumper is going to deploy more frequently, but it is one of the few (only?) aftermarket bumper tested and rated to deploy an airbag system at the appropriate time (e.g., rapid deceleration to zero at speed). It's my understanding that might not be the case with some of the other aftermarket bumpers. I'm no expert...lol...but we have been asking a lot of opinions recently and getting a lot of opinions. I'm happy to hear any opinions to the contrary as we're trying to make our decision too. Thanks!

 

[dustskr72]

i think some people have a misunderstanding of the term air bag compatible or "rated" ect. this means the bumper and its mounts retains the factory crumple zones... not having the crumple zones, will increase the risk of an air bag deployment in lesser "impacts"... there is no specific sensor in the bumper that detects an impact.... how your air bags are triggered is by a "g-force" type sensor, or an "accelerometer" that detects the abruptness of a stop or change of direction -say from an impact... having a built in crumple zone such as the ones toyota and other auto manufactures put in their bumper mounts will absorb some of that impact, lessening the abruptness of the stop, thus reducing the possibility of an unnecessary air bag deployment. the same applys for ARBs bumper design. ARBs crumple zones are in red in the picture below, they can also be replaced if damaged much cheaper than putting a new frame under your truck, or new section of frame...
View attachment 80730

having a hard/static mounted bumper will not only transfer the energy directly to the frame resulting in much greater damage that in most cases will be more costly and difficult to fix, but also increase the chances of a unnecessary air bag deployment, there will be no "buffer zone".

think of it like this; run and jump/dive onto a mattress on the floor, then try it without the mattress... or probably a better analogy is to jump off a high dive(3meter spring board) and do a belly flop into the pool, then try doing a belly flop off the roof of your house onto your driveway or even lawn... sure both are gonna hurt, but you will walk away from one with a lot less injuries.

Thank you for clearing that up for people. That's why I chose that bumper.