Replacing a rusty rear bumper on a 1998 4Runner...

[TripleT]

Has anybody found steps/pics online?

I'm wondering how much has to come off the vehicle to replace the rusting chrome center piece of the bumper.

At first I though it would just be a few bolts, but the more I look, the more it looks like the whole bumper has to come off, with disassembly starting with bolts in the rear wheel wells.

Also, any recommendations for aftermarket bumpers? I see some as cheap as $60, for the center portion of the bumper.

I was going to pay to have this fixed, but got an estimate of $450. $80 in labor, the rest in parts, including $140 for the rear bumper brackets. I just took a look and the brackets look okay to me.

Thanks!

 

[TheDurk]

Somebody did post it a while back. Yes, you need to pull the end pieces off first. You need to pull the plastic step piece off to get to the bolts in the corner. The step is held on with snap clips that you can squeeze together from underneath or you can pull on it until they come out or break (only one of mine broke--YMMV). I had to Sawzall a couple of bolts between the center and the end pieces, they had corroded up pretty good. So lay in a few extras. I was able to save my brackets.

I got mine on e-bay. They have held up pretty well. A few tabs needed to get bent for a good fit. They need a little Diet Coke and aluminum foil love every once in a while. I strongly recommend undercoating or bedliner on the inside as they tend to rust from the inside out.

 

[TripleT]

Somebody did post it a while back. Yes, you need to pull the end pieces off first. You need to pull the plastic step piece off to get to the bolts in the corner. The step is held on with snap clips that you can squeeze together from underneath or you can pull on it until they come out or break (only one of mine broke--YMMV). I had to Sawzall a couple of bolts between the center and the end pieces, they had corroded up pretty good. So lay in a few extras. I was able to save my brackets.

I got mine on e-bay. They have held up pretty well. A few tabs needed to get bent for a good fit. They need a little Diet Coke and aluminum foil love every once in a while. I strongly recommend undercoating or bedliner on the inside as they tend to rust from the inside out.

Does the plastic step come off while the bumper is still on the truck?

The bolts that attach the big "y" brackets to the body (above the spare wheel)... is there a nut on the other side of these? Do I need to access anything from inside the truck, under the cargo area floor?

Do you think I should pull everything off, see what I have, and then order the replacement bumper piece? Or should I have the replacement bumper ready before I begin?

Thanks!

 

[TheDurk]

Does the plastic step come off while the bumper is still on the truck?

Yes, it has to come off to get the bumper off.

The bolts that attach the big "y" brackets to the body (above the spare wheel)... is there a nut on the other side of these? Do I need to access anything from inside the truck, under the cargo area floor?

Didn't take my brackets off--no idea. For just the bumper, there is nothing inside, just under the step and beneath the truck. But they are probably threaded holes or nuts welded to the other side of the floor pan.

Do you think I should pull everything off, see what I have, and then order the replacement bumper piece? Or should I have the replacement bumper ready before I begin?

Well, I'd get the replacement bumper piece up front. But until you get the old one off, you won't know what other pieces you can re-use.

Thanks!

My answers in bold.