Is there such a thing as a mild bumper upgrade?

[Morphyne]

My 07 sr5 4wd front bumper cover is beat to hell (pic coming) and I want to get somethong else. But I really don't want to add 500 pounds of weight to the front or make it look like a rock runner. There are so many options out there. You guys have any opinions?

I really like what gaterose has but even that may be too extreme.

 

[Mister_Seth92]

My 07 sr5 4wd front bumper cover is beat to hell (pic coming) and I want to get somethong else. But I really don't want to add 500 pounds of weight to the front or make it look like a rock runner. There are so many options out there. You guys have any opinions?

I really like what gaterose has but even that may be too extreme.

Maybe something lo-profile? Also, I remember seeing something on the Taco's where they cut off the lower half of their stock front bumper and build a tubular bumper that meets up with the cut line.... If I come across a photo i'll put it up. Mine was beat to crap (lots and lots of road rocks/pebbles) so I built a bumper myself lol. I didn't wanna drop $1,300 on one and add several hundred lbs to the front of my truck

 

[Morphyne]

That look cool. But shows too much wheel well for me.

 

[Snacksquatch]

Maybe something lo-profile? Also, I remember seeing something on the Taco's where they cut off the lower half of their stock front bumper and build a tubular bumper that meets up with the cut line.... If I come across a photo i'll put it up. Mine was beat to crap (lots and lots of road rocks/pebbles) so I built a bumper myself lol. I didn't wanna drop $1,300 on one and add several hundred lbs to the front of my truck

That looks awesome Seth!! What was the final weight on it? Are you worried at all about your guts around the wheel being so exposed?

 

[Morphyne]

That's exactly what I am trying to avoid.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Mine was beat to crap (lots and lots of road rocks/pebbles) so I built a bumper myself lol. I didn't wanna drop $1,300 on one and add several hundred lbs to the front of my truck

Pics man!

:worthless

Lightweight options: Prerunner-style bumpers come to mind.

Demello makes one but not officially on their website
I've heard T4R user Troymclure used to make some

Link to thread on both of these options http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/170434-pre-runner-bumper-pics.html

Ryan04's bumper is interesting. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/166500-ryan04s-build-thread.html

Some companies do offer an aluminum option for their plate style bumpers as well. Check out the 4th Gen Armor Thread.

Edit: It'll be hard to find a lightweight bumper that covers the wheel well without going to an aluminum plate style bumper.

 

[Mister_Seth92]

That looks awesome Seth!! What was the final weight on it? Are you worried at all about your guts around the wheel being so exposed?

Well, I wish I built that one.



I built this one, and after wheeling for awhile, the only things I'm worried about are my AC lines. Seems like if you are gonna break anything on your spindle/wheel assembly, it'll break regardless of what bumper you have hahah. Mine ended up at a total of what feels like 80-100 lbs, haven't weighed it yet.

Not to hijack the thread- but have y'all seen any "spindle guard" type fabrications?

 

[Range]

My 07 sr5 4wd front bumper cover is beat to hell (pic coming) and I want to get somethong else. But I really don't want to add 500 pounds of weight to the front or make it look like a rock runner. There are so many options out there. You guys have any opinions?

I really like what gaterose has but even that may be too extreme.

Are you being sarcastic or do you really think a bumper weighs 500 lbs?

 

[Qlaloo]

That's an awesome front bumper! Are you looking to sell it? I live in Texas if your talking about Southlake TX?

 

[Snacksquatch]

Well, I wish I built that one.



I built this one, and after wheeling for awhile, the only things I'm worried about are my AC lines. Seems like if you are gonna break anything on your spindle/wheel assembly, it'll break regardless of what bumper you have hahah. Mine ended up at a total of what feels like 80-100 lbs, haven't weighed it yet.

Not to hijack the thread- but have y'all seen any "spindle guard" type fabrications?

Wow, I like yours even better!!

 

[Mister_Seth92]

That's an awesome front bumper! Are you looking to sell it? I live in Texas if your talking about Southlake TX?

Thank you sir, I appreciate the compliment!

Well, this is it as of this afternoon. my HOME home is in Southlake, but I'm in OK for contract work (I restore classic cars).

I CAN send y'all dimensions and some build photos. It took me an evening to build out of some left over DOM we had laying around the shop.

As far as making another, I am unsure of that possibility since I may be moving to FL soon for the long run to restore cars there. THAT being said, there is a possibility that I pick up another welder and metal drop saw and build a few more.....

 

[Beater]

OP:

Not sure if you came across this thread yet: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/189563-my-new-custom-front-bumper.html

So I got a bug in my butt a while back and decided I wanted to replace my front bumper. But with what? I didn't like the Plate bumpers because most of them look to big, bulky and heavy on the front of a 4Runner and the Baja-Style bumpers look to unfinished because they expose to much of the rough frame work that is not meant to be seen under the fancy sheet metal and plastic covering. Then I found the concept while surfing this site. I have to give credit to JacksonRally. He cute off the bottom half of his bumper and fabbed up his own bumper. I loved the look so I decided to pursue his design.

So here we start with a perfectly fine functioning front end designed by very talented Toyota employees.

I pull out the angle grinder, tin snips and other assorted tools and begin the demolition process. Removed the fog light. Taped and straight line on the bumper with painters tape to guide my cute and went at it. Watch out! That bumper plastic is molten hot after it has been cut. Have a few scares to prove it. Oh, and my wife came out at least two times during the process to inform me that I'm an idiot. She just didn't understand my vision!

Now I have a truck with half a bumper and no welding skills so I need to find a fabricator and prep the truck for a new bumper install. I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted the bumper to look like.

One small project I had to take care of was relocating the windshield washer reservoir. I could have just painted the white parts that stick way down low black but I wanted things to look clean. So I found this kit on Amazon and fabbed a bracket for it. http://www.amazon.com/ACI-99300-Windshield-Washer-Pump/dp/B00495UQT2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1424390863&sr=8-3&keywords=windshield+washer+reservoir

I finally settle on Brad at HotMetalFab in Sacramento and we worked up a design for the bumper. Now that I knew what it would cost I had to save some money and get my wife used to the idea that it was necessary. That means I bought her some jewelry and other gifts.

Last weekend Brad made my bumper. Yesterday and today I finished it with a coat of primer and then Rustoleum Bed Liner.

I'm very happy with the final product! Now I'm on to installing UCA's, Rock Sliders and a new Roof Rack. Then I'll be done. HAHAHAHA! Yeah! Right!

 

[Mister_Seth92]

OP:

Not sure if you came across this thread yet: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/189563-my-new-custom-front-bumper.html

THIS IS THE ONE. Fantastic build man. I saw it while browsing, this is the one I was referring to with cutting the original bumper.

Do you get any funky wind noise/flapping?

 

[Beater]

I should clarify: this is not me! LOL

Its [MENTION=109424]robaroni[/MENTION] ride :bigok:

THIS IS THE ONE. Fantastic build man. I saw it while browsing, this is the one I was referring to with cutting the original bumper.

Do you get any funky wind noise/flapping?

 

[JD914]

Yup, I need that too! Wonder if a winch plate and some light tabs could be added?

 

[Qlaloo]

[MENTION=121406]Mister_Seth92[/MENTION] Build photos would be awesome! I'd love to see how you made it! Heck, maybe I can try to make my own like everyone else, unfortunately I lack the experience. But if you do decide to make another like the one you have on yours currently, I'd be interested in buying one.

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

for anyone wondering/interested im starting to talk with trailworx (red-dirt suggested them to me at the TTR meeting) here just outside dallas about doing a 4th gen front and rear bumper. i was thinking hybrids to be different and keep weight down. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions let me know.

 

[Civiceg94]

for anyone wondering/interested im starting to talk with trailworx (red-dirt suggested them to me at the TTR meeting) here just outside dallas about doing a 4th gen front and rear bumper. i was thinking hybrids to be different and keep weight down. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions let me know.

A rear tube bumper would be nice something like this