Bumpers knockoffs and stuff.

[Aznisegi]

Is there nothing original anymore? I keep saying companies "designing" products to be knockoffs of other companies. I didn't know we were taking the China mentality. I see a trillion slimline bumpers and I'm a personal subscriber of "go to the source". I don't want to detract from those who make original products.

Let's see some more good rear bumpers? Anything new there?

Racks? A lot of the same stuff too.

 

[ProfessorP]

Is there nothing original anymore? I keep saying companies "designing" products to be knockoffs of other companies. I didn't know we were taking the China mentality. I see a trillion slimline bumpers and I'm a personal subscriber of "go to the source". I don't want to detract from those who make original products.

Let's see some more good rear bumpers? Anything new there?

Racks? A lot of the same stuff too.

So I guess one brand of car, truck and SUV is all we need then too?!?! They're all essentially variations of the same thing. One truck, one bumper, one screwdriver, one knife, one gun... you seriously want that type of market? Competition within an industry is good. If our only choice was "the source" then the quality and the price would end up going to hell. There are minor variations, material choices and finishes in all the slimline bumper designs. I personally like having choices.

 

[mrblah]

well u kno the market is saturated when all the instafakers all rock the same stuff n do videos of other instafakers rigs which are identical to their own.....


At least they don’t claim their rigs are the original....oh wait they do.




End sarcasm

 

[sn_85]

well u kno the market is saturated when all the instafakers all rock the same stuff n do videos of other instafakers rigs which are identical to their own.....


At least they don’t claim their rigs are the original....oh wait they do.




End sarcasm

Excuse you they preferred to be called content creators...

 

[CITYRNR]

Let em do it. Best case we get multiple versions so we can decide based on taste and quality. Worst case they have to innovate. Capitalism is about who does it best not first.

 

[Arishtat]

Is there nothing original anymore? I keep saying companies "designing" products to be knockoffs of other companies. I didn't know we were taking the China mentality. I see a trillion slimline bumpers and I'm a personal subscriber of "go to the source". I don't want to detract from those who make original products.

Let's see some more good rear bumpers? Anything new there?

Racks? A lot of the same stuff too.

There really are only so many ways to solve a problem so that's why you see a lot of similar products in a market that can support multiple vendors. As other posters have mentioned it's good to have competition.

HOWEVER...

Yes there are some companies out there that take other people's hard design and engineering work, reverse engineer it and market it is as their own (and usually with inferior materials and quality control). I'm not going to name names but it isn't exclusive to the 'China brands'.

If we want to keep seeing quality products for our 4Runners it pays to do the research and occasionally pony up those extra dollars for a quality product. The way I see it is this truck is my way out *AND* back so I do everything that I can to prepare and maintain it for everything from my daily commute to adventures in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Mudballz]

Hey guys stop sounding off you all sound like t-Rex
I just watch a 16 year old win 3million dollars playing a video game
Capitalism at its finest
I’m one of those poseur I guess muddy trails is all I’ve seen so far but I’m planning a western trail run soon
Choice gives use better price and quality control
Mike

 

[Drobs]

Competition in aftermarket parts is good. Gives us lots of options, choices, and price points.

In the USA, the Jeep Wrangler = #1 for off road aftermarket parts.
Toyota = #2.

Worldwide - Toyota is probably #1.

 

[JAXJeremy]

Let em do it. Best case we get multiple versions so we can decide based on taste and quality. Worst case they have to innovate. Capitalism is about who does it best not first.

this..a lot of it comes down to personal taste, but certain designs work best for these rigs so you'll see a lot of iterating on similar designs its just the nature of product developments..in the end, the crap will fall by the wayside.

 

[Blue109]

There is only so much space for a "slimline" bumper, so they will all look pretty much the same. Company A may be the first but charge too much. Company B says they can build one similar for less. Company C says they want one with light cutouts and fancy overlander features. Company D wants to cash in on the trend and builds one with thinner material and crappy welds. All 4 of them will be discussed on the interwebs. All 4 have a place. Choose which one works for you.

 

[srsrogerissrs]

There is only so much space for a "slimline" bumper, so they will all look pretty much the same. Company A may be the first but charge too much. Company B says they can build one similar for less. Company C says they want one with light cutouts and fancy overlander features. Company D wants to cash in on the trend and builds one with thinner material and crappy welds. All 4 of them will be discussed on the interwebs. All 4 have a place. Choose which one works for you.

^truth.. only so many ways to skin a cat

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

So I guess one brand of car, truck and SUV is all we need then too?!?! They're all essentially variations of the same thing. One truck, one bumper, one screwdriver, one knife, one gun... you seriously want that type of market? Competition within an industry is good. If our only choice was "the source" then the quality and the price would end up going to hell. There are minor variations, material choices and finishes in all the slimline bumper designs. I personally like having choices.

With limits that mentality for the market works. Currently manufactures can use marketing that easily misinterprets for quality, but are far from their claims. Unfortunately as long as we are of the mentality that money is more important consumers will be exposed to this behavior. It's the number one reason for me not trusting people.

 

[ProfessorP]

With limits that mentality for the market works. Currently manufactures can use marketing that easily misinterprets for quality, but are far from their claims. Unfortunately as long as we are of the mentality that money is more important consumers will be exposed to this behavior. It's the number one reason for me not trusting people.

This is where due diligence comes into play. I would rather be "exposed to this behavior" and research the crap out of my purchase to decide if a product is right for me over government regulations or other limitations based on their interpretation of quality.

 

[ScarfaceT4R]

BTW, who was the first to create a slimline?

 

[mscot]

BTW, who was the first to create a slimline?

I think it was SSO with C4 following very shortly after. They look different though so I do not believe either was a straight copy of the other no matter who came first.
All the others... definitely just copies.

 

[LawnDart]

I think it was SSO with C4 following very shortly after. They look different though so I do not believe either was a straight copy of the other no matter who came first.
All the others... definitely just copies.

I think Budbuilt was even before SSO, but that's just what I remember.

 

[ProfessorP]

BudBuilt has no current 5th gen hidden winch slimline style bumper that I can find on their website. Only a winch mount. Lead times of 12+ weeks for powder coated products. Plus not a secure website.

C4 Winch bumper only available in uncoated steel. No powder coat or aluminum option. Had no weight info on website when I called. Talked to a gruff guy that didn’t seem to want to earn my business, so they didn’t. Plus not a secure website on the 4Runner pages.

SSO Only steel available, but they at least offer powder coating. Weight is listed (kind of). 8-10 weeks lead time. On the plus side, the website is secure.

• Unfortunately none of those fabricators make an aluminum slimline bumper.
• I’m uncomfortable doing anything on a website that’s not secure.
• Ridiculous lead times with payment up front don’t earn my business.

Glad we have other options!

 

[Shwell11]

Perfectly fine with it. I see quite a few products that I personally feel are overpriced and competition usually addresses that issue.

Imagine if everyone only went to the "originator".. Lead times would be 18 Months, price points would be outrageous, and EVERYONE would have the exact same vehicles (Worse than we have now)...

 

[Drobs]

BudBuilt has no current 5th gen hidden winch slimline style bumper that I can find on their website. Only a winch mount. Lead times of 12+ weeks for powder coated products. Plus not a secure website.

C4 Winch bumper only available in uncoated steel. No powder coat or aluminum option. Had no weight info on website when I called. Talked to a gruff guy that didn’t seem to want to earn my business, so they didn’t. Plus not a secure website on the 4Runner pages.

SSO Only steel available, but they at least offer powder coating. Weight is listed (kind of). 8-10 weeks lead time. On the plus side, the website is secure.

• Unfortunately none of those fabricators make an aluminum slimline bumper.
• I’m uncomfortable doing anything on a website that’s not secure.
• Ridiculous lead times with payment up front don’t earn my business.

Glad we have other options!

Warn 100022 - in stock everywhere, 88.8lbs, powder coated black, free shipping is available, found mine for $717.00 shipped.

 

[ProfessorP]

Warn 100022 - in stock everywhere, 88.8lbs, powder coated black, free shipping is available, found mine for $717.00 shipped.

I seriously considered the Warn, but I didn’t want 150 extra pounds added up front. I don’t need steel armor for my type of off roaring. The aluminum Victory 4x4 bumper I ordered weighs in at 30 pounds. That’s about 90 pounds with the winch installed.