Rear Bumper Clearancing

[TheRandyMan]

Has anyone modified the rear bumper for a better departure angle? I can't afford an aftermarket bumper, and I need this one somewhat intact to help keep dust out of the cab. No hitch. Maybe bend the bottom lip upward? I want to keep some structural strength so the door isn't damaged in a fender bender. Pics appreciated.

 

[bike]

If you're running trails difficult enough to where you're worried about departure angle, but not able to afford a bumper or willing to run a hitch, then what are you doing for a rear recovery point? I would suggest running the hitch and just let it drag. Either that, or build a basic bumper for cheap. Check out a maker space if you don't own the tools or have a space to work.

 

[thezentree]

What's your rear recovery point if you don't have a hitch?

 

[sleepydad]

What's your rear recovery point if you don't have a hitch?

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

Flip the hitch. You'll have to cut the bumper but it will raise the receiver up higher

 

[TheRandyMan]

If you're running trails difficult enough to where you're worried about departure angle, but not able to afford a bumper or willing to run a hitch, then what are you doing for a rear recovery point? I would suggest running the hitch and just let it drag. Either that, or build a basic bumper for cheap. Check out a maker space if you don't own the tools or have a space to work.

I've got shackles on the frame. I hadn't heard of maker spaces before, but that's really neat. I'll definitely try to find one.

My issue is I want to keep the plastic piece that goes right under the hatch to help keep dust out. Has anyone kept that top part and built a bumper around it?

 

[phattyduck]

I've got shackles on the frame. I hadn't heard of maker spaces before, but that's really neat. I'll definitely try to find one.

My issue is I want to keep the plastic piece that goes right under the hatch to help keep dust out. Has anyone kept that top part and built a bumper around it?

The plastic top cover on the chrome bumper doesn't do any dust sealing. The rubber door seal does that. A good steel bumper will connect to the frame, not the body like the stock chrome bumper does. You would have to be very creative to keep the stock step/trim there and have good body protection from a bumper.

-Charlie

 

[Scramble]

Flip the hitch. You'll have to cut the bumper but it will raise the receiver up higher

This.

I would never drive around without the hitch. It's bolted to the frame & is the only thing that will keep your rig from getting totaled in an accident. As you know the bumper is bolted to the body & will do nothing in an accident.

 

[TheRandyMan]

This.

I would never drive around without the hitch. It's bolted to the frame & is the only thing that will keep your rig from getting totaled in an accident. As you know the bumper is bolted to the body & will do nothing in an accident.

I'm looking for clearance, not armor. That would decrease clearance. Armor is easy to weld on once clearance is taken care of.

Nobody has a modified stock rear bumper, excluding hitch flips?

 

[Snowden]

Has anyone modified the rear bumper for a better departure angle? I can't afford an aftermarket bumper, and I need this one somewhat intact to help keep dust out of the cab. No hitch. Maybe bend the bottom lip upward? I want to keep some structural strength so the door isn't damaged in a fender bender. Pics appreciated.

Well at least one person did this....: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/248413-hitch-flip-question.html .

You didn't mention what year your 3rd gen is and keep in mind that, I believe '99 or certainly by 2000, the hitch was redesigned a bit. I don't know if the revised design is capably of this flip.

But as noted already; Do yourself a huge solid and do NOT run around with no hitch at all. If your Runner get's rear-ended you'd be toast. The factory bumper does not bolt to the frame rails.

 

[volkinator]

Well at least one person did this....: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/248413-hitch-flip-question.html .

You didn't mention what year your 3rd gen is and keep in mind that, I believe '99 or certainly by 2000, the hitch was redesigned a bit. I don't know if the revised design is capably of this flip.

But as noted already; Do yourself a huge solid and do NOT run around with no hitch at all. If your Runner get's rear-ended you'd be toast. The factory bumper does not bolt to the frame rails.

I did this. It's awesome. Got me another 4" of clearance and provided a flatter surface to slide on. I don't mind using the bumper. It's actually quite robust. I took it on steel bender in Moab and survived the 5' drop near the end. I've got some dents, but the hatch and quarter panel were saved. My $0.02. And, I use the hitch... so I wanted to keep it either way.

 

[Mark_BC]

This got me thinking, I wonder how hard it is to instead attach the stock bumper to the frame instead of the body. This would 1) protect the body if the bumper gets hit and 2) allow me to better position the bumper sine the aftermarket replacement one I got doesn't line up well. I like the stock bumper and I see no real reason to get an aftermarket one.