Front bumper gap from body lift~ help me!

Liam

New member
I just picked up a 97 4Runner SR5. It has a body lift and 35s. The front chrome bumper is up attached to the body, and the bumper mounts on the frame are sticking out with the radiator exposed. I need to get it inspected, and I am sure in MD they will fail it, because there is nothing attached to where the bumper is supposed to be. If I take the chrome piece off and try to attach it to the bolt holes, I am not sure, but there may be some rubbing. I'd like to find a way to get it through inspection. If I drop the chrome piece down and it doesn't rub, then I have the middle gap area showing. I was told it's a 5.5" lift, but I highly doubt it's all body lift. Is there a bumper I can get somewhat rather quickly, without spending a grand? I looked at ARB, but they are so expensive. And whatever I get, I would need it to bolt on the the holes on the frame up front where the bumper is supposed to be. I hope I can just bolt something on and left the chrome bumper as it is, so I don't have to worry about the running lights. Thoughts?
 
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I just picked up a 97 4Runner SR5. It has a body lift and 35s. The front chrome bumper is up attached to the body, and the bumper mounts on the frame are sticking out with the radiator exposed. I need to get it inspected, and I am sure in MD they will fail it, because there is nothing attached to where the bumper is supposed to be. If I take the chrome piece off and try to attach it to the bolt holes, I am not sure, but there may be some rubbing. I'd like to find a way to get it through inspection. If I drop the chrome piece down and it doesn't rub, then I have the middle gap area showing. I was told it's a 5.5" lift, but I highly doubt it's all body lift. Is there a bumper I can get somewhat rather quickly, without spending a grand? I looked at ARB, but they are so expensive. And whatever I get, I would need it to bolt on the the holes on the frame up front where the bumper is supposed to be. I hope I can just bolt something on and left the chrome bumper as it is, so I don't have to worry about the running lights. Thoughts?

so what is the stock bumper zip-tied to the body or something? Even it you get another bumper you have the gap, unless you know how to weld and can change things.

Sounds like its got a 3" body lift..... I cannot help you
 
Yeah x2 on the pics. I don't fully get what you're asking personally. That paragraph was kinda hard to make sense of. I don't think they would fail you for having a gap between the bumper on the body. You would have to adapt and drill/re-weld an ARB also BTW. 4Crawler.com makes some bumper lifts, give him a call and he can probably send you what you need to put your stock bumper back where it should be.
 
You can re-drill the bolt holes in the stock bumper, thats what I did to match my BL but I only have a 1.5". Not sure if that will work w/ a 3" but there is a write-up on 4Crawler's site. http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Docs/3rdGen4Runner/index.shtml#FrontBumperBracket
EX:
3rdGenBLBumperFix2.jpg
 
I am attempting to upload a pic, but I am having problems. I will work on it. Basically the chrome bumper is up with the body. So, yeah, maybe it is zipped up there. I am going to check tonight. I assumed the lights in the bumper where part of the body, but perhaps I am wrong. If not, I can just bring the bumper back down to the frame holes, which are there, and hope it doesn't rub. Then I can deal with the gap. If the bumper lights are a part of the body, then I have an issue. Sorry to sound confusing. I will try that pic again.
 
Pic

Ok here is a pic. Hopefully this clarifies it a bit.
 

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Im pretty sure that your bumper is bolted to the correct location. It does not bolt to the end of the frame rails.

You are missing the plastic bumper valence that would cover up the frame rails, even with a small body lift, but in your case it looks like you have a 3" bl ( i can oddly see the entire frame down the side of your truck) and thats probably why the po took it off.

My best advice it to go and remove the body lift. Its not that hard to install one so it shouldnt be that hard to remove. Just if you do remeber to take the steering extension out and the radiatior drop brackets


If you showed your location id know, but I have a plastic bumper valence you could have, but local pick up only.

Goodluck
 
JMoney said it. The chrome bumper looks right or at least close.

The frame ends didn't have anything on them till 99 or 2000. Then they added a steel cross member that was hidden behind the plastic below the chrome (your plastic is gone)

If you are concerned, you could do a simple rectangular tube thru bolted to the frame ends. It could be pretty simple.
 
No unfortunately I am not interesteted in talking off the bl nor am I going to sell it. It's staying as is. I just have a feeling the frame ends sticking out is going to easily fail here in MD. It's pretty strict.

Do most of or any of the after market bumpers attach to the frame ends at all?

Thanks,

Liam
 
No unfortunately I am not interesteted in talking off the bl nor am I going to sell it. It's staying as is. I just have a feeling the frame ends sticking out is going to easily fail here in MD. It's pretty strict.

Do most of or any of the after market bumpers attach to the frame ends at all?

Thanks,

Liam

arb, but that will look awful with a big gap between the bumper and grill/lights
 
Ok cool, I will look for the plastic bumper valence for now, and then do something else with it once I get my permanent tags. Thanks for your help!
 
Where do you live? There isn't a location on your posts. I have a complete front bumper, including the 2000 lower steel bumper that mounts to the frame. I don't think your frame ends are the same as a 2000 so that steel bumper won't bolt on.
 
Ok I added my location. I am in MD. Wish I was closer :0( I am searching for that setup somewhere out here. I have seen the lower valence piece online, @ $60 shipped. May have just order it up. Thanks!
 
Im pretty sure that your bumper is bolted to the correct location. It does not bolt to the end of the frame rails.

You are missing the plastic bumper valence that would cover up the frame rails, even with a small body lift, but in your case it looks like you have a 3" bl ( i can oddly see the entire frame down the side of your truck) and thats probably why the po took it off.

My best advice it to go and remove the body lift. Its not that hard to install one so it shouldnt be that hard to remove. Just if you do remeber to take the steering extension out and the radiatior drop brackets


If you showed your location id know, but I have a plastic bumper valence you could have, but local pick up only.

Goodluck

yeah, your bumper is in the correct location in relation to the rest of the your car but its definitely not in the factory location in relation to your chassis. Your chrome bumper actually is supposed to be right infront of the red circles I drew. Essentially the blue circles should eclipse the red circles for the bumper to be in the factory location. Ergo, you definitely have a body lift :)

<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/saadqasim/?action=view&current=bumperrrr.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/saadqasim/bumperrrr.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Well I stopped by an inspection station today, and they told me roughly what exterior work I need to do. He said the bottom of the body will need to be even with the center of the wheel :wtf: So I will need to remove the body lift, and put on my buddies 30"wheels so they don't stick out. Not what I was planning on, and I guess I could do it, and then put it back on after. Just a pain though.

And then extend the tailpipe (easy) and eliminate the high intensity blueish lights (oh well). I have another place to try that passed my old CJ7 with a 3" lift, but with smaller tires I borrowed after taking off the 35s.

I did order the lower valence piece to put on as it is missing, but I may need to have my buddy weld the bar piece into place if they ***** about the frame ends showing.

A bit of work, but I am looking forward to it!
 

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