Rear Bumper Replacement

jspagna1

jspagna1

New member
What is it with the 96-02 4Runner center rear bumpers rusting out? I have a 1997 with 119,000 miles and I am always washing my vehicles & keep them clean.
Has anyone replaced the center section of their rear bumpers because of rust? I bought the bumper bolts (about 24 bolts) from the dealer and they appear to be self tapping. Should I also replace the rear bumper brackets while I'm at it to make it easier? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
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my 96 rear bumper was rusted out and i replaced it about a year ago. its not that difficult to do. the brackets already come attached on the middle section so all the neccessary items are there. its basically unbolting and putting the new one back into place. i would suggest that you get a buddy to help you out and make it easier. i also painted the inside with some black primer and then sprayyed some 3m rubberized undercoat for protection before putting the new bumper on. just keep it clean as much as you can. the way toyota designed the bumpers to where dirt and debrie and road salt get kicked up there and gets trapped. but by painting and spraying some under coat on it should prolong the life of the bumper.
 
All,
I have been waiting for a thread like this. I am in the same boat.I was on to Toyo and they gave me a price of$400 for all 3 sections of the rear of my 97 SR5.The rear bumper has a hole in it just left of center(where i see most of the rust) the right rear corner bumper had a dent in it, the left side is fine. the front bumper is fine except where the rain water drips down above the Aux lights. I'm going to go to the dealer, the local shops here all want to do that big bumper for winches and all that. I dont need that- so i'll just replace it with the stock one.
I never have much luck at junk yards... but perhaps i'll give them a look too.
 
Mines rusted too

I have some rust on mine also, more on the lower side pieces... I think they might be different for a limited or one with flares. Guess I got to do some homework to replace the rear piece, and the two chrome side pieces... anyone have any ideas on where to get these? Maybe the eBay place the other person referenced? Are alll the 1996 - 2002 the same rear bumpers?
 
96runner4x4 said:
my 96 rear bumper was rusted out and i replaced it about a year ago. its not that difficult to do. the brackets already come attached on the middle section so all the neccessary items are there. its basically unbolting and putting the new one back into place. i would suggest that you get a buddy to help you out and make it easier. i also painted the inside with some black primer and then sprayyed some 3m rubberized undercoat for protection before putting the new bumper on. just keep it clean as much as you can. the way toyota designed the bumpers to where dirt and debrie and road salt get kicked up there and gets trapped. but by painting and spraying some under coat on it should prolong the life of the bumper.
Click to expand...

But didn't you have to take the side pcs off to get to the center section? And don't those bolts snap and need to be replaced too?
By the way,that is a great idea with the painting of the inside of the bumper. I will definitely do that when I get the replacement bumper.
 
I have an 02 and I don't have anything wrong with my bumpers. All of you guys that have rusted out ones live up north. That is where your problem lies.

As far as the link that RooRRunner posted, I can also attest to the quality of their parts. I have not seen a bumper from them, but I have seen fenders, hoods, etc.
 
well when i did my my bumper i did all three sections. the side pieces are bolted and connected to the middle section. me and my buddy looked at the bolts and they were rusted to the point where you couldnt grab them, so we just cut them off with a torch to get the bumper off. the new middle section comes with studs and brackets on so the bolts will need to be replaced. when i took my bumper off, i took the sides out first then the middle section. you might wanna check the side pieces thourghly though because they might be rusted where they connect to the middle section. i suggest to doing all three instead off just the middle one so when your all done, it looks nice and clean but if your on a budget, just replace the middle one for now and do the rest later. o yeah i forgot, when you start dont forget to take the plastic cover off the middle section because there are pins or screws i think that line up the bumper in place.
 
The side pcs of my bumper are in great shape and don't need to be replaced. I am sure I will have to torch the bolts cause they are all rusted.
I bought enough bolts from the dealer to replace all of them,sides and all, but will I need to replace the side bumper brackets too?
Oh ya and the black plastic that covers the middle section, will I be able to reuse that or am I going to have to a new one as well?
Thanks Guys.
 
I did all three pieces on my '99 last year. I saved all but two or three bolts and reused all the brackets and plastic. Prying up the plastic piece over the center is tricky, you can break the lugs. I am sure there is a right way, but I don't know it. I went the E-Bay route, and I just saw some rust on one side. (NJ goes crazy with the salt, even in a near snowless winter.) I think coating the inside is the answer, as the rust appears to be coming from the underside. But don't expect much life from the E-Bay chrome if it will see salt.
 
The biggest problem with the rear bumper is that they have a slight lip in the back on the bottom. Because of this sand and other crap get stuck behind the bumper, so it rusts from the inside out. After a few years of owning my 00, I tend to be pretty anal even washing the frame rails every time, I noticed a lot of sand coming from the rear bumper when I hit it with the hose just right. I must have rinsed it for 10 minutes before it was finally clean, all the crap plus flakes of the bumper itself just poured out. Also, IMO, Toyota used terrible chrome, I will never own another Toyota with chrome.
 
I am in need of a new center rear bumper as well. I saw one on Ebay for 180ish that is a Genuine Toyota part. Then there are the ones others have posted for $50ish.

I checked that certifit site that was posted and their bumper parts are on the low end as well.

My question is...are these less expensive parts any less in quality than a Genuine Toy. part? Is there any difference other than the more expensive being a "name brand"?

Thanks.
 
Anyone have exp. with these online ebay parts for this bumper? The prices are darn good. Anyone deal with anything from these people?
 
At this point I just want to get rid of that nasty rusty bumper. The rest of the truck looks good. And the dealer quoted $213 just for the center section. Wrong!
 
Ok I just asked this guy if this center section comes with the studs/brackets. I did get brand new bolts from the Toyota dealer, but I don't want to have to buy all new brackets too. This is the one I think I'm going to order. I am also wondering if I will have to buy a new plastic bumper retainer or I will be able to reuse mine. Any input would be appreciated?

Bumper I need:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...=230236220404&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:PIC&ih=013

The brackets seem kind of expensive:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=370036272346&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=024
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=230235901443&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=250221840205&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=250221840499&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015

This to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...m=250229884028&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015
 
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