Front Bumper Replacement Recommendations

[BeelzeBuck]

Hi. I was wondering if I could get some input from some of you more knowledgeable people. I run a stock 2011 Trail and messed up my stock front bumper. I got three quotes to replace it and it is about $1200.00. So, I thought maybe I should put something more substantial on in it's place. I don't do any rock crawling, pretty much day to day and occasional mountain trips.

I was thinking maybe the CBI or ARB bumper as an option. I would like aluminum, but they seem a little pricey and it seems I can get a steel and upgrade the coils and shocks if needed for the same price. I spoke to some shops here in Seattle and it would run about $2000.00 for them to order and install just the bumper. Just wondering if there is one you would recommend over the other and also if I should be upgrading the coils or shocks. The last shop I spoke to said I would have too but I would notice some nose dive and it something I could do later if I wanted. If you do recommend upgrading the coils/shocks, any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[STX4Runner]

If this is just a daily driver and occasional mountain trips vehicle don't spend $2,000 to add a boat anchor to the front. You'll need new shocks and springs too, as you found out. I've wheeled pretty hard in mine with the stock front and it's beat up, but doing fine.

 

[wfo9]

From what you described I would not bother unless you went aluminum. It really does hurt performance big time to run one of those heavy bumpers. It will require suspension upgrades to make up for it and even then... it's simply not as good as without unless you actually need the clearance on a regular basis..

The CBI and hefty aluminum bumpers look decent. The others are not my style at all.

 

[erikhy]

I put on a Southern Style low profile bumper, which is basically just the center section, not the wings, and put a Smittybilt winch into it. It's pretty light compared to the full ironmongery spanning the whole width, and has great build quality.

 

[wfo9]

I put on a Southern Style low profile bumper, which is basically just the center section, not the wings, and put a Smittybilt winch into it. It's pretty light compared to the full ironmongery spanning the whole width, and has great build quality.

Won't work on a 2010-2013 trail.

 

[Jevans1770]

I'm kinda speaking out of my rear end here but when aluminum car bodies first came out it was a big deal when they took damage. And to my knowledge aluminum is a lot easier to inflict damage on than steel. Back then, at least, you couldn't just hammer out a dent and no body shops would work on them. I'm sure that's changed a bit now that the F-150 has an aluminum body, but to me aluminum bumpers just seem like a liability. They look the part but don't have the durability of steel and if you bang it up it could be difficult and expensive to fix up.

May as well have fun with your light stock front bumper and beat it up real good before paying up for, as someone described it, a heavy boat anchor to sit on the front of your vehicle. Could be totally wrong on this so no one get their panties in an uproar.

 

[hb216]

My two cents: I think you're right to think about weight as far as adding a front bumper. Think about your suspension. However, I will say that having a winch is very handy if you're going to wheel it. It gives you options and could save potential damage to your truck. Instead of just "bumping" it or giving more "right foot," you can take it easy on your truck and winch out. If you think you're headed in that direction in the future, then I'd consider options for bumper/suspension - not just the bumper.

 

[borfoo3]

I'm kinda speaking out of my rear end here but when aluminum car bodies first came out it was a big deal when they took damage. And to my knowledge aluminum is a lot easier to inflict damage on than steel. Back then, at least, you couldn't just hammer out a dent and no body shops would work on them. I'm sure that's changed a bit now that the F-150 has an aluminum body, but to me aluminum bumpers just seem like a liability. They look the part but don't have the durability of steel and if you bang it up it could be difficult and expensive to fix up.

May as well have fun with your light stock front bumper and beat it up real good before paying up for, as someone described it, a heavy boat anchor to sit on the front of your vehicle. Could be totally wrong on this so no one get their panties in an uproar.

Don't listen to your rear.. times have moved on.

Strength depends on much more than just the bumper material type. Design, support/ bracing, material thickness all play an important role. We are not in the 90's anymore.

My hacked up TRD aluminum skid plate has been through some pretty rough spots. Ya its bent and beat up, but still holding well and doing its job. Took a huge hit once that I swear would've been the end of my day if I had the stock flimsy steel plate on (that got tore up quite a while back actually while off-roading)

Aftermarket aluminum bumpers these days are better designed and stronger than you think. I'd only consider steel myself for something more like a rock crawler, as the cons of living day to day with that heft are real (crappy braking/ gas mileage, performance, suspension changes needed...etc.)

 

[BeelzeBuck]

I suppose I could just beat it up a bit more before doing anything. It slightly bothers me, but the longer it is there the less I notice. I like the looks of the CBI and Hefty Fabworks. CBI told me they could make their in aluminum for me as well. There are others I like as well, but as wfo0 mentioned, a lot of the options are not available for the 2010-2013 years. I don't have a long commute (less than a mile) but do long trips on the weekend. I certainly felt the difference in weight when I put the Gobi Stealth on and not sure I want more. Saying that, I sold my trail stock roof rails to a guy last week and his lifted truck looked nice. Made me want to do a lift and tackle some more difficult terrain.