Running with no rear bumper?

[AssBurns]

Wondering if anyone wheels without a rear bumper. I have a stock 2000 4Runner Limited with the E-locker. Also have the tow package. Today I went out wheeling Cleghorn trail in the San Bernardino mountains. On a lot of the steeper hills and bumps I would hit my tow package pretty hard. It probably saved my ass a few times though. I want to remove the tow package but I don't want to slam my rear bumper. Could I remove just the middle part of the bumper? Or does the whole bumper need to be removed? Would it look weird without the bumper? I plan on building a hybrid bumper soon so I won't run it like that for long


Here is a pic of it fully flexed. The rear tire is off the ground

 

[D Farms]

Just remove the tow package, the bumper will only scrape on the bottom. If you are worried you can actually attach stuff like a strip of thick steel or slippery plastic cutting board. to the very bottom lip of the bumper using the conveniently place holes.

 

[chimpy]

Lift kit= problem solved:driving:

 

[Bt08231]

Notch out the rear bumper and flip the hitch over. I hit mine a lot too but I'd rather hit that that other parts.

 

[Chuckles89]

Notch out the rear bumper and flip the hitch over. I hit mine a lot too but I'd rather hit that that other parts.

That's what I just did and I like it. Pictures are in my thread linked in my sig.

 

[habanero]

We call the tow package on the 96 the hittin' hitch.

Even with the hitch flipped and a decent lift it still gets its lumps. When the spare used to fit underneath the hitch helped protect it.

Not all hitches are flippable- or would improve clearance if flipped.

 

[JayRolla]

A lot of guys running 35's remove the rear. I see them driving around and it dont look that bad. DO NOT LEAVE the end caps of bumper if you remove it. IMO that would look very weird.

I hit mine but it saves your rear end. The rear stock bumper is made of soda can thickness and if you dont have a hitch it will crush once hit. Im about to get a tube rear bumper and have been waiting till then to remove it.

 

[Asaspades93]

I'm not running a rear bumper right now since I am in between bumpers. I don't mind the look, but I hate that everyone likes to ride my ass still and I don't have a hitch. For onroad its fine, but offroad having a hitch is nice to protect the rear and its also a recovery point

 

[Konkordmusk]

I've been running like this for a while now, I'm simply too lazy to reinstall the quarters

Look! You can't even tell it's not there

 

[AssBurns]

Does anyone have any pictures with the rear bumper, hitch and spare tire removed?

 

[Asaspades93]

Not the best pics, but it's cold. Idk what they are called but I painted the indented section black so it may be kinda hard to tell