School me on off road front bumpers?

[Mendoncyclesmith]

So, trying to turn a sows ear into a silk purse here.

1996 SR5, 124K on it, nice and clean, this is my baby, not my daily driver.

Came away from a harrowing experience last night, wet, elevated highway overpass, banking, curving, suddenly, 2 complete 360's, a bit of concrete retainer wall pinball, and I came to a rest. No one was hurt, no other cars involved, and a nice cop with a crow bar wrenched the bumper far enough away that I could drive home without further issue.

Damage is limited to mostly the bumper, which I just removed, driver side mount is slightly bent. Grill is fine, hood is fine, uninvolved, that's all fender damage creating the bad sight line.

So, rather than go with some cheapo replacement bumper, I'm choosing to use this as an upgrade opportunity, since I'm self insuring this one.

I do not do serious offroading, so I don't really need anything insane, but mounts for lights so I can kick up my rather abysmal headlight output (dang deer are everywhere). I'd prefer to spend less than more, as I need to get a fender painted and mounted, and the front end otherwise put back together.

I know nothing, looked at a few, seems $750 to $1000 is the average. Some require modifying the mounts somehow? Haven't looked deeper yet, would appreciate some insight on how involved that work might be?

Also saw a few weld together kits, I do have a TIG, so this is an interesting option too.

I do not have a garage, all work will be done in the driveway with fairly common non pro tools (other than my welder), so please bear that in mind with suggestions.

Be carful out there folks, holy cow!

 

[UnderFire]

If safety and damage control is the main concern there's no question which bumper is best. Go with the ARB. It's the only bumper that comes with crumple zones built in and is safety tested. Also has the full bullbar to protect your sheetmetal and headlights.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

 

[Ryance39]

UnderFire got it right. To my knowledge, ARB is the one that has safety built in. That said there are a number of good options if protecting your ride is the focus.

 

[phattyduck]

lights so I can kick up my rather abysmal headlight output (dang deer are everywhere).

Pick up a complete set of '99-'02 headlights as part of the fix. Adjusted correctly, they are almost decent (much better than the '96-'98 lights). Also, when you get auxiliary lights, make sure you get stuff that is DOT approved if you are using it when there is oncoming traffic. Off road specific lights are great for your vision in clear situations, but will absolutely blind other drivers (and be horrible in fog/rain/snow).

ARB is the classic bumper option. There are tons of others that are good options too, but most will have a wait.

-Charlie

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Thanks, appreciate the input.

So, this one does refer to needing to cut off the fronts of my mounts etc?

Anyone done this? Is it super straightforward?

I'm not a DIY, fabricator car dude, just mechanically inclined, and not interested in screwing up my vehicle by being dumb about something.

The link also lists a round light kit for it (bottom of the page), is that one of a kind that would be DOT approved? Listing doesn't say.

1995.5-2004 Toyota Tacoma | 1996-2002 4Runner Deluxe Winch Bull Bar Front Bumper by ARB (3423020)

Yeah, I'm already laying out enough on this, think I'll buy my proper vintage headlight assembly. I did put the upgrade Hella bulbs in those, they do help. The auxiliary lights would be used very conscientiously, I live in a fairly rural area, country roads, not much city/highway driving, no desire to impact other drivers....

 

[absalom]

Why not just run another factory bumper? I've seen ones going for under $85 around here. Unpopular opinion here, but I fail to grasp the point of a plate bumper on all but the most extreme applications.

 

[T4topher]

Bumper List (Updated)

This thread pretty much has all your options as far as aftermarket bumpers

 

[jross20]

If safety and damage control is the main concern there's no question which bumper is best. Go with the ARB. It's the only bumper that comes with crumple zones built in and is safety tested. Also has the full bullbar to protect your sheetmetal and headlights.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk

Exactly what I was going to say, crush cans and IMHO it's the best looking.

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Why not just run another factory bumper? I've seen ones going for under $85 around here. Unpopular opinion here, but I fail to grasp the point of a plate bumper on all but the most extreme applications.

Fair question. It's already not the OEM one as I clocked a deer several yers ago.

From what I've seen, the new chromed stuff turns to crap pretty quickly, just because good chroming is an environmental impossibility nowadays.

Beyond that? Vanity, I'll own it. This is my toy, my baby, and I do periodically call on it's capabilities, but I'm not doing overland trips monthly or anything. It hauls bikes, dogs, camping gear, etc, all summer long, and I just got classic car insurance for it due to its age. If I had to keep paying full insurance for it, I'd have just sold it.

I like the rough and ready look of them, and the light mounts on them are a real life value added to me, over some stupid bolt onto the grill, from Advanced Auto Parts, options for extra lighting....

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Bumper List (Updated)

This thread pretty much has all your options as far as aftermarket bumpers

Thanks for the link. Man, a lot of those are dead, ah well, still a good number of options.

Random weird question?

Is there any used market on this stuff, or am I staring down the barrel of a needle in a haystack situation?

I'm fine with paying to re-powder one with a few dings in it.....

 

[T4topher]

Thanks for the link. Man, a lot of those are dead, ah well, still a good number of options.

Random weird question?

Is there any used market on this stuff, or am I staring down the barrel of a needle in a haystack situation?

I'm fine with paying to re-powder one with a few dings in it.....

Yea you can find used ones but generally they hold their value pretty well and it’s probably going to be hard to find one local to you but it’s always possible. Check out Facebook market place and craigslist probably your best bet.

 

[03V84R]

I just switched to an ARB, safety is paramount with 2 kids. It looks the part also. Just remember the install involves cutting the ends of the frame rails with something and mabey grinding some welds to make it fit. The end result is worth it.
In case you change your mind I have my bumper in the classifieds section for $50.

good luck

 

[tgreenwood75]

Not sure where in Upstate NY you are, but on Craigslist a fellow in Southern VT is selling or parting out a few 3rd gens, one with an ARB front bumper on it. Maybe shoot him a message before buying new?

 

[APhelps]

Why not just run another factory bumper? I've seen ones going for under $85 around here. Unpopular opinion here, but I fail to grasp the point of a plate bumper on all but the most extreme applications.

Have you been offroading before?

A winch goes a long way especially in snow, mud, rain, or just not wanting to risk breaking something.

 

[IrieRider]

Yes ARB is meant for a full speed kangaroo slaughter, but ugly as sin. I like the competition style all metal, ruff rugged kind, but... they put all the stress of an accident into the frame. So really, there is alot to weigh in on. Your gen has such a huge following, I usually just Google image search and go from there!

 

[absalom]

Fair question. It's already not the OEM one as I clocked a deer several yers ago.

From what I've seen, the new chromed stuff turns to crap pretty quickly, just because good chroming is an environmental impossibility nowadays.

Beyond that? Vanity, I'll own it. This is my toy, my baby, and I do periodically call on it's capabilities, but I'm not doing overland trips monthly or anything. It hauls bikes, dogs, camping gear, etc, all summer long, and I just got classic car insurance for it due to its age. If I had to keep paying full insurance for it, I'd have just sold it.

I like the rough and ready look of them, and the light mounts on them are a real life value added to me, over some stupid bolt onto the grill, from Advanced Auto Parts, options for extra lighting....

Totally get it. Let us know what you end up with!

Have you been offroading before?

A winch goes a long way especially in snow, mud, rain, or just not wanting to risk breaking something.

Lol - nah, never off-road ... what's that?

An expensive, heavy plate bumper isn't a prerequisite for a winch, FYI.

 

[APhelps]

Totally get it. Let us know what you end up with!


Lol - nah, never off-road ... what's that?

An expensive, heavy plate bumper isn't a prerequisite for a winch, FYI.

Front bumpers aren’t that expensive and offer significantly better protection off-road. Sure you don’t need a plate bumper to mount a winch but it typically looks a lot better than most hack jobs.

 

[absalom]

Front bumpers aren’t that expensive and offer significantly better protection off-road. Sure you don’t need a plate bumper to mount a winch but it typically looks a lot better than most hack jobs.

That's always the reasoning; protection. But protection from what? I've been off-roading constantly for nearly 7 years now (like every other weekend at least) and have never once even tapped my front bumper.

Min of $700+ vs. $80 for a junkyard OEM bumper?

 

[APhelps]

That's always the reasoning; protection. But protection from what? I've been off-roading constantly for nearly 7 years now (like every other weekend at least) and have never once even tapped my front bumper.

Min of $700+ vs. $80 for a junkyard OEM bumper?

I'll gladly admit that the front bumper isn't nearly as a concern like the rear bumper, I dragged my trailer hitch a lot in Moab and left a good dent in it. Likewise mounting a bigger tire is a huge pro with a swing out. (But that's a different topic)

With the front bumper it's probably more likely you'll scrap the skid plate before the bumper, but if that thing rips off I can't imagine it'll be fun trying to mount a new bumper.

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Thanks to everyone, I really, REALLY appreciate all the varied POV, and input.

Debating just going stock, just to save $ at this point now.

I do like the high clearance look without the (forgive my lack of terminology) "lower skirt"?

Mine was black, plastic, and below the chrome bumper.

Seems like one couldn't just do away with that and stick with the chrome piece above? There's big mounting points/impact absorbers (?) behind it, so they'd just be hanging in the wind. Maybe a suitable mount point for extra lighting if that skirt weren't there?

Thinking out loud here, be gentle with the under informed....:behindsofa: