How to remove rear bumper fascia?

[emyhre]

Hi all,

I have a 2005 V6 SR5, with 5k factory towing package installed to the rear crossbar. I want to use a weight-distributing hitch, so I've purchased the Curt 13445 hitch and intend to install it myself.

So now I need to get the factory hitch receiver off. I am able to torque the bolts fine-- got the tow hook and first two bolts off without issue-- but I can't reach the bolts that are under the rear bumper (I've also heard it referred to as the rear fascia) to access the bolts to remove them.

Ideally, I'd like to just remove the middle part. I have read that from 2003-2005 this would be possible but I didn't have success in my first attempt. I unbolted the several bolts in the doorjam of the rear cargo area, and the two under the bumper near the hitch, and removed the two plastic black plugs holding the rear section to the rest of the bumper, but still the bumper feels attached somewhere.

I've searched these forums but haven't found the answer.

Is there a way to remove just the middle section of the rear bumper, or do I have to remove the entire bumper? And if I have to remove the entire rear bumper, how do I do that?

Thanks in advance

 

[DRC]

Hey what do you know I am doing the same thing on my 08 v6. I am doing the OEM hitch and it arrived yesterday. Anyway in my research I came across this site:

CBI Off-Road Rear Bumper - WRITE-UP - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

They are installing a new bumper but they talk about how to remove the stock one and there is a nice removal guide. I think its also for an 05 v6. Hope this helps.

 

[emyhre]

Thanks for the link

Hey what do you know I am doing the same thing on my 08 v6. I am doing the OEM hitch and it arrived yesterday. Anyway in my research I came across this site:

CBI Off-Road Rear Bumper - WRITE-UP - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

They are installing a new bumper but they talk about how to remove the stock one and there is a nice removal guide. I think its also for an 05 v6. Hope this helps.

Actually I had come across that same link.

The diagram is (somewhat) helpful, however he kind of glosses over the first part except to say that you need to remove the mudflap part first. That's fine, but in looking at the mudflaps it wasn't clear to me which bolts from the flaps are supposed to be removed... and furthermore, it looks like there's several more places where the bumper is attached to the frame.

In any case, that thread is mostly about removing the whole bumper, wheras if at all possible I'd prefer just to remove the middle part which on the '05 appears to be a separate panel.

 

[flair runner]

I was looking at doing something as well but have been sidetracked. Heres a couple links other members have helped me out with. Hope it helps

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/60190-silver-plastic-sr5-bumpers.html

 

[emyhre]

Got it figured out

Turns out removing the bumper was way easier than I thought-- once I found the 'hidden' screw clip.

I wrote up my findings about how to remove the bumper cover on the 4Runner at the link.

 

[ptung07]

Thank you for the follow up post! I am doing the same with my 4Runner and needed some help.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Was stuck on rear bumper removal

I am removing factory hitch on 2008 V6. There are 6 bolts on the factory hitch. I could get to 4, but not the 2 that are way up under the facia. I took most of the bolts I could find out, but bumper still wasn't coming off. So I put it back together until I could find a thread like this. Looks like there is some screws under the mud flaps that need removal and I may have missed a couple underneath. I'll get back at it tomorrow and get the bumper off 1st. Trying to get my new Hidden Hitch installed for use with my WDH. The factory hitch seemed to work ok, but I was close on tongue weight. The new hitch gives me another 100 lbs of safety. I am towing a Jayco 16' Feather Sport 165. Dry weight 2850, GVWR 3500. Tows well before the WDH system, but I was down 2" in the rear (I have a lift so I was just about lebvel still). With the WDH, I am only down 1/4" and I feel like I have a better set-up. Like the weight back on the front axel.

 

[Dougtoms01]

Bumper Tabs on Wheel Well

Well, I got the bumper out of my way to remove the V6 factory hitch. I got all the screws out but was still not coming off. I created a small gap there at the wheel well and could see some small tabs that had to be pressed down with a screw driver. They are between where the bumber meets the side panel directly above the wheel well. One side off and was able to clear the upper bolts. Hidden hitch went in without a problem except for one handle nut was too thick to pass through the access hole. Took an angle grinder and removed about 1mm of thickness and it went in. Hitch bolts up nicely and the new location of the plug is much better. Best regards, Doug

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

The side panels that make up the bumper have bolts holding the bumper on too, IIRC. Its there are bolts that go into the quarter panel, and I'm sure the bumper is also held in by the bolts toward the back of the QP.