Bumpers knockoffs and stuff.

[Drobs]

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

Nice.

Hind sight being 20/20 - a CBI Front Hitch Receiver mount would be the lightest way to go.

CBI Front Receiver Hitch

But I don't want a winch taking up cargo space. And their website pics are horrible:

Toyota 5th Gen 4Runner High Clearance Front Receiver Hitch - CBI Offroad Fab

I have about 216.8lbs hanging off the front of mine. 88.8 for the bumper, 100lbs for the Warn VR10 Winch with Steel Cable, 28lbs for the TRD Skid plate. Should be good for bashing / pushing through things...

Neighbor's cattle on the road to my house:

 

[ProfessorP]

Wow the CBI website has to be one of the worst I’ve ever seen. Who the hell is going to buy their front receiver hitch based on that single photo?!?! At least they have some specifications like weight, but the lack of visuals is astounding.

Brings me back to the OP’s point about going to “the source” and everyone else just copying. Just because a guy can weld and was the first to come up with an idea doesn’t make him the best businessman. It also doesn’t mean his product is the best.

Japanese auto manufacturers didn’t invent the car, but they sure perfected it. Back in the 70’s and 80’s I remember the old diehard “buy American” crowd that would always call Toyotas cheap crap knockoffs. “Why buy a toy truck when you can have a real truck like a Ford or Chevy?” The competition and success of Japanese and now Korean auto manufacturers has ultimately increased the quality of USA cars.

Kind of ironic that a guy that purchased a dinosaur of a Japanese truck would say that he’s a “go to the source “ kind of guy. Hmmm...

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

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.

If there was full disclosure I would agree and have more confidence, but allowing them to lie and go unpunished is criminal. Otherwise, it's time consuming and does not eliminate risk.
I have one rule - Don't trust anyone.

 

[ProfessorP]

If there was full disclosure I would agree and have more confidence, but allowing them to lie and go unpunished is criminal. Otherwise, it's time consuming and does not eliminate risk.
I have one rule - Don't trust anyone.

I definitely agree on the don’t trust anyone.

 

[83Mule]

On looks alone the C4 is the one......on decent looks and an aluminum option the Victory is nice!.......choice is a good thing and I can compare and make an informed decision.