Low profile front bumper/ insert style bumper- any one built one ?

[Smokeshow69]

I am contemplating building a low profile front bumper like the awesome C4 metal fab style pictured below... I think it is a good deal but can't pay that much now and think I may be able to fabricate one myself... I have looked in different threads and can't find where anyone has built one... Has anybody here built one ? If not does any one have pictures of the back of the C4 bumper ? I want to see how they mounted the winch and other brackets! Please see the pictures below for the style of bumper I am talking about

I did even look at the c4 mounting instructions and found some pictures but not pictures of the back side of the bumper/ bracketry

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[Smokeshow69]

I also found this style for the 5 the gens but it is more expensive and not for 4 th gens

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[catfishbirddog]

The 5th gen seems a bit more sturdy but that 4th gen deal looks like a glorified brush guard. Ultimately if you put steel in front of the OEM bumper, it'll only increase the damage potential.

EDIT: That 4th gen requires cutting the OEM front bumper but does appear to replace the OEM bumper bar, energy absorber, etc. but I definitely wouldn't get one with that bar which would damage more body parts, radiator, etc. - I think the newer C4 ones don't have that, I'm sure the salesman will chime in.

I don't like but understand brush guards - look good, provide mounts for lights, maintain OEM painted parts, economical etc. but if you're looking for a bumper upgrade I'd get a bumper - these aren't bumpers IMO. Probably need to decide, bumper or brush guard. I wouldn't try to split the difference like this. The sides/corners of a front bumper seem most susceptible to damage so I wouldn't skimp here, just depends on what you're after. Pros and cons with both. Just my $0.02. If you're not adding a winch and just want somewhere to put lights, brush guard seems appropriate. But if your'e going to this length for protection, I don't get it, seems like a half measure.

Plus a custom job out of quality parts seems way more expensive than the options on the market now, brush guard or bumper. If you can do it, more power to you! This does not seem like a helpful reply, sorry, just don't want you to waste money going down the wrong road like I've done so many times.

 

[Smokeshow69]

^ i totally understand your perspective...The reason why I am thinking about building one is that it would be way cheaper with the options I want than the full $1k with the options I want from C4. The reason why I like this insert style is that is is low profile on your eyes/not as hardcore to look at I have no problem with having a full bumper but the thing i dislike most about them is that they leave so much more visually open on the front of the rig...My 4runner may see very occasional/light off road but will not be in any real harsh situations so I don't have any reason to go for a full bumper. I am looking for something that reinforces the front of my rig as an added safety measure and am also looking to add a spot where I could put some lights or a winch without the full bumper. There are most definitely pros and cons to both setups but I think in the long run I will be happier with an insert given my limited off road use. If my rig was a trail rig I would have no problem getting a full metal bumper! Just wondering if anybody has beat me to the punch and has already made one of these or has pictures of the backside of theirs?

 

[Drunner97]

^ i totally understand your perspective...The reason why I am thinking about building one is that it would be way cheaper with the options I want than the full $1k with the options I want from C4. The reason why I like this insert style is that is is low profile on your eyes/not as hardcore to look at I have no problem with having a full bumper but the thing i dislike most about them is that they leave so much more visually open on the front of the rig...My 4runner may see very occasional/light off road but will not be in any real harsh situations so I don't have any reason to go for a full bumper. I am looking for something that reinforces the front of my rig as an added safety measure and am also looking to add a spot where I could put some lights or a winch without the full bumper. There are most definitely pros and cons to both setups but I think in the long run I will be happier with an insert given my limited off road use. If my rig was a trail rig I would have no problem getting a full metal bumper! Just wondering if anybody has beat me to the punch and has already made one of these or has pictures of the backside of theirs?

CBI has a hidden winch mount that goes behind the grill if that's all you're really looking at it for. Lights are as easy as ditch light brackets.

 

[Smokeshow69]

CBI has a hidden winch mount that goes behind the grill if that's all you're really looking at it for. Lights are as easy as ditch light brackets.

I am aware of that but am looking for something closer to the 5th gen insert I posted above...I like how it sticks out a couple of inches but is not super obvious. I think the point above about the bull bar was a valid point. I don't think I want to fab that or put it on my bumper...I am looking for something that 1)provides more safety to the front end as this is the rig the family drives on trips...2) I want something I can mount a winch into/put some d rings on to pull things with or also insert a light bar into! I am thinking of basically combining the 2 designs above to have something low profile while adding protection and utility to the vehicle. I do agree with the comment about the C4 looking kind like a glorified brush guard and will be making some changes for sure! I still can't believe I am the first one to ask about this...or maybe I am the first one to be dumb enough to do it?:thumb::thumb:

 

[Inv4drZm]

I'm sure the C4 Fab low pro bumper looks the same as any other front bumper, just not as tall and without the side wings.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/234976-demello-3-hoop-scratch-dent-bumper.html

2003-2005 4Runner Steel Front Plate Bumper | Off-Road Front Plate Bumper | Pelfreybilt

 

[Smokeshow69]

I'm sure the C4 Fab low pro bumper looks the same as any other front bumper, just not as tall and without the side wings.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-items/234976-demello-3-hoop-scratch-dent-bumper.html

2003-2005 4Runner Steel Front Plate Bumper | Off-Road Front Plate Bumper | Pelfreybilt

I like both of the bumpers pictured but don't want a full bumper on my runner as it will not see much off road... I am more or less looking for something that is easy to fabricate and will provide extra safety and utility to my vehicle! If I was to get a full bumper I would get one of the Northwest Trail Innovations as they are about an hours drive from me.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I like both of the bumpers pictured but don't want a full bumper on my runner as it will not see much off road... I am more or less looking for something that is easy to fabricate and will provide extra safety and utility to my vehicle! If I was to get a full bumper I would get one of the Northwest Trail Innovations as they are about an hours drive from me.

What I was trying to say was that the low profile bumper more than likely looks identical/mounts identically to the fullsize bumpers and that you can more or less copy their design or modify it for your low profile design.

 

[BrandonF]

If you're looking for something low profile and economical, we will be releasing our full front bumper weld together kit for the 4th gen 4runner later this week.

 

[Smokeshow69]

If you're looking for something low profile and economical, we will be releasing our full front bumper weld together kit for the 4th gen 4runner later this week.

Do you have any pre release pictures by chance ?


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[BrandonF]

I can get one up tomorrow

Do you have any pre release pictures by chance ?


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[Smokeshow69]

I can get one up tomorrow

opcorn:

 

[BrandonF]

opcorn:

Since you waited so patiently, here's a whole bunch!
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150750715@N03/36191732305/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_6175"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4319/36191732305_bdd5136ca0_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_6175"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150750715@N03/36191732665/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_6177"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4326/36191732665_e04d16af96_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_6177"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150750715@N03/36191733045/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_6176"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4321/36191733045_cf4883fc8f_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_6176"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150750715@N03/36191733585/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_6179"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4307/36191733585_851a74ffba_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_6179"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150750715@N03/36191731615/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_6182"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4327/36191731615_24f5916f39_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_6182"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/150750715@N03/36191731965/in/dateposted-public/" title="IMG_6178"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4323/36191731965_64cc3b6b7b_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="IMG_6178"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[locallegendsart]

do you offer a welded bumper, or only kits?

 

[HELOTESTXTRD]

Smokeshow69 - I like your thought process. Once I build a few more racks I'm gonna tackle this front bumper project. It doesn't appear to be that difficult to fab up. The hard part is getting the dimensions or image of the mounts.

 

[BrandonF]

do you offer a welded bumper, or only kits?

Right now we are only offering welded bumpers for local sales. For North America wide sales, only the kits are available.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Smokeshow69 - I like your thought process. Once I build a few more racks I'm gonna tackle this front bumper project. It doesn't appear to be that difficult to fab up. The hard part is getting the dimensions or image of the mounts.

Thanks for appreciating my train of thought ! I am not trying to reinvent the wheel here or try to clutter the forum with useless junk... We have so many talented members , I just wondered if someone has built one of these ? I would like to tackle this project this coming summer. Did you build yours yet ?


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[HELOTESTXTRD]

Thanks for appreciating my train of thought ! I am not trying to reinvent the wheel here or try to clutter the forum with useless junk... We have so many talented members , I just wondered if someone has built one of these ? I would like to tackle this project this coming summer. Did you build yours yet ?

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Not yet. I have been working on other projects, but ideally I would like to start before April.