Hit a deer, need new front bumper. ARB? Have questions.

[babyeater304]

Have a 2002 SR5. So, I am looking at ~1300$ to get the front repaired with OEM Toyota parts. The front bumper is done, as well as the grille, and some support piece that runs vertical, centered in front of the radiator (thank Christ it didn't puncture the radiator, just bent a few fins). Instead of paying that much for a new chrome bumper, I was thinking of going with an ARB winch-ready bumper.

I understand I need to go with the Tacoma ARB bumper and mod the frame endcap. Does it matter which year of Tacoma I select when selecting a bumper? Some sites ask for specific Tacoma year. I figured I would be safe with just selecting 2002?

I plan on doing the frame endcap mod for winch bumpers.

I also have suspension questions. I assume my stock front suspension isn't up to the task of a winch and a big new steel bumper. I was thinking of going with an OME suspension, maybe a Toytec if NYS ever gives me my tax return. My question is, first of all, what do you suggest for a lift/suspension upgrade? I know OME comes in many varieties. Will a Toytec support the added weight as a HD OME lift? And what kind of modifications will I have to do to the ARB bumper itself to mount on a lifted T4R?

I am going to post some pictures of the carnage in a few. If you guys give me good enough advice, I will do a picture story of swapping out bumper, suspension and the frame endcap mod.

 

[jdmaccord6]

If you plan on on adding a winch and the arb bumper, i would recommend ome 883's to support the extra weight. I have 882's now with an arb bumper and 8k pound winch and it has sagged a bit in the year or so i've had it installed. As for the bumper, any tacoma year from 98-04 will work.

 

[brian2sun]

And what kind of modifications will I have to do to the ARB bumper itself to mount on a lifted T4R?

No mods are necessary if it's a suspension lift. If you have a body lift, you'll need to either drill new holes in the ARB to mount it higher or you can cut the part of the mounts that the bumper bolts on to and and re-weld them higher. I just drilled new holes in the bumper.

If you plan on on adding a winch and the arb bumper, i would recommend ome 883's to support the extra weight. I have 882's now with an arb bumper and 8k pound winch and it has sagged a bit in the year or so i've had it installed. As for the bumper, any tacoma year from 98-04 will work.

I agree, the 883s are working out great for me. I have no winch yet, but the 883s will definitely support one when I get it.

 

[Elton H]

As for the bumper, any tacoma year from 98-04 will work.

thats what i thought too but i was wrong well i dont have arb though

 

[brian2sun]

Actually it's the '95.5-04 taco bumper.

 

[bgmac]

You lucky s.o.b!!! It seems like everyone besides me has hit a damn deer and I freakin live in strait deer country. Seriously, I practically have deer living on my front porch!! I am about to buy a few gallons of deer urine just to put out on the stretch of road in front of my house in hopes I can finally hit one and if that doesn't work I am going to have to buy some fake Bambi deer to set up along side the road to try and attract the others. Maybe a bunch of apples will do the trick? WTf!

 

[Elton H]

ya its funny ever since i put on my bumper ive yet to see one fricken deer and theres lots of them

 

[techno]

This is why I have an ARB.

 

[Gumballf355]

How in the heck did you have your camera ready and out to take that picture??

 

[Hepar]

Lol. That was my question too! Maybe the deer was stationary in the middle of the road and then jumped off.

And I have the Toytect 650 adjustable coilovers on mine with a fairy heavy bumper. It's perfect.

 

[criera]

Lol. That was my question too! Maybe the deer was stationary in the middle of the road and then jumped off.

Nahh, totally photoshopped, lol

 

[theizzardking]

You lucky s.o.b!!! It seems like everyone besides me has hit a damn deer and I freakin live in strait deer country. Seriously, I practically have deer living on my front porch!! I am about to buy a few gallons of deer urine just to put out on the stretch of road in front of my house in hopes I can finally hit one and if that doesn't work I am going to have to buy some fake Bambi deer to set up along side the road to try and attract the others. Maybe a bunch of apples will do the trick? WTf!

meh, next time you see one of those little f****** just swerve towards it and thin the heard......

hahaha

_________________________________________________

wait so your 882's started to sag? i thought they were the heaviest spring rate? how would swapping to 883's be better? or is the numbering system messed up in my head?

 

[techno]

How in the heck did you have your camera ready and out to take that picture??

There are deer on that stretch of road every day, so for the past week I have had the camera ready. For some reason I've always wanted to snap a pic of one close to getting whacked.
I saw this one and his buddies from about 200 yards.