School me on off road front bumpers?

tgreenwood75 said:
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?
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Got a link? No idea how many CL's there are in VT, but a quick peek turned up nothing on my end.

I'm south of Rochester, so, 4/6 hours away, not out of the question for a nice Fall Sunday drive....
 
03V84R said:
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
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Really? OEM, or replacement? Sorry, got a link, not sure how to quickly search for YOUR listing in the classifieds here.

Thanks.
 
Mendoncyclesmith said:
Got a link? No idea how many CL's there are in VT, but a quick peek turned up nothing on my end.

I'm south of Rochester, so, 4/6 hours away, not out of the question for a nice Fall Sunday drive....
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Toyota 4Runner - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

I may be mis-remembering but I recall this truck initially being posted for parts. The same poster has a few other 4runners visible in this post: Toyota 4Runner - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale which makes me think he likely has some parts lying around, might be worth a contact.
 
UnderFire said:
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
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I am also in the market for a new front bumper. Im 21 years old and in college. i dont have access to a welder and im too broke to pay someone to do it for me, so the DIY kits are out of the picture. I know about addicted off-road and ARB, but im looking for more brands, just dont know where to start. just curious if you or anyone else on here can put me in the right direction! Thanks!
 
Fregosim said:
I am also in the market for a new front bumper. Im 21 years old and in college. i dont have access to a welder and im too broke to pay someone to do it for me, so the DIY kits are out of the picture. I know about addicted off-road and ARB, but im looking for more brands, just dont know where to start. just curious if you or anyone else on here can put me in the right direction! Thanks!
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Check the bumper list quoted earlier in this thread. I've seen local people here (oregon) popping up that are bending up simple tube bumpers for $400, that's a steal as far as I'm concerned and you may be able to find someone near you doing the same. There are cheap options but they have compromises.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk
 
Mendoncyclesmith said:
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:
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I'm on the factory-for-now team.
Maybe someday i'll feel the need to buy a plate bumper or i'll find the time to attempt making one but so far im all good with where i landed and leaving off the lower valence gives your all the clearance you'll need short of an encounter with an animal.

ff1e9655f85883d6239fc8c2c994c0fb.jpg

changed pic for better visibility
 
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Joelzy said:
I'm on the factory-for-now team. I'm all good with where i landed and leaving off the lower valence.
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Hey, thanks for chiming in, winter kinda tamped down my efforts, but I recently got the front end work done, and Spring is popping, road salt will be gone soon, so I'm getting back to this..

I found a weld yourself version from Coastal Offroad that I really like, but at the same time, seeing yours, I really don't mind its look, either?

Mine would be chrome, but still.

So I could just buy a cheapo front bumper and mount it, without the valance? I knew it was possible, but have lost track of the details.

It's been so long since I dismantled it, I can't recall if there's anything "visual" that I'd need to address.

Wouldn't mind just getting it running cheaply at this point, then deal with a better bumper when I have more funds readily available.
 
Not certain on details for fatlip bumpers but early bumpers are just that easy.

Mine was crunched when i got the 4R so i just ordered that upper bumper(came in black cheaper than chrome which i what i wanted) and straightened out the mounts a little.
There are probably liners and whatnot that im missing but it works just fine as is and has tons of clearance.

1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 3.4L V6 Bumper | RockAuto
 
Appreciate it.

Mine's not a fat lip (isn't that like '99+?) it's a '96 like yours.

I saw the blacks are a little cheaper, but with a chrome rear, yeah, matching matters, for what, $30 difference?

Not sure yet, but I like the look of yours for sure.
 
Okay, zombie thread time, but with progress!

Was going to do a weld together bumper, but Covid hit, and I own a bicycle shop. To say I've been busy, is a massive understatement.

Not time to screw around with a DIY project.

Found a lower priced option within ARB's lineup, and now have a shiny black bumper just waiting to get mounted.

This bad boy.

ARB 3423020 Front Deluxe Bull Bar Winch Bumper Toyota Tacoma 1995-2004

Did a bit of bartering with a buddy who has a decent garage, and more time than I do.

He just brought it back and begged off.

Apparently, the front ends of the frame rails need to be removed (as in, cut off, not just unbolting the small front sections), in order for the bolt holes (currently holding the tie down hooks) to line up with the bumper "mounts".

Since the truck has air bags, he was concerned about affecting performance, since the sensor is in that region.

So, question, since ARB while a wonderful product, seems to have little tech support, is, is this just the norm, and I should disable air bags, or is my buddy over thinking, or, is there some solution I've not yet run across.

Wasn't sure if off road bumpers just kinda came with the mindset of, "we don't need no stinkin' air bags" or what....

Thanks guys!
 
Mendoncyclesmith said:
Okay, zombie thread time, but with progress!

So, question, since ARB while a wonderful product, seems to have little tech support, is, is this just the norm, and I should disable air bags, or is my buddy over thinking, or, is there some solution I've not yet run across.

Wasn't sure if off road bumpers just kinda came with the mindset of, "we don't need no stinkin' air bags" or what....

Thanks guys!
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No need to disable the airbags.
You should have a section of metal tubing installed to brace the frame where the bolts go through, then weld a plate on the end of the frame, where you cut it off. Then bolt on the bumper.
The welding is relatively simple, the installation of the bumper is really easy, but it helps to have an extra pair of hands to lift the bumper while you are tightening the bolts (just for the alignment).

Read these:
ARB Bumper Installation for 3rd Gen T4Rs: step-by-step
ARB front bumper install on 1999 4Runner
 
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Are there any rear bumpers/carriers that similarly provide a decent amount of armor?
My biggest concern in getting rear ended, and the rear hatch is by far the weakest panel. A little extra protection and confidence would be swell
 
Devbot said:
Are there any rear bumpers/carriers that similarly provide a decent amount of armor?
My biggest concern in getting rear ended, and the rear hatch is by far the weakest panel. A little extra protection and confidence would be swell
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Two choices.

1. Let the hatch get crushed.

2. Get an overbuilt rear bumper. If you get rear ended hard enough you'll bend the frame and transfer all kinds of shocks that will not only damage other things, but probably your spine as well. The hatch will survive though.

Door tire carriers have lost popularity over the years due to the amount of damage that occurs in minor accidents.
 
Different concerns, but similar observation?

Theres tons of front bumpers, and almost no rears.

Not that I do any serious off roading, but is it just not as common in those circles, to beef up your rear end as well as the front?

My corner caps are starting to get cancer, was debating a rear in next years play money budget, but choices are so slim!
 
T4R2014 said:
Two choices.

1. Let the hatch get crushed.

2. Get an overbuilt rear bumper. If you get rear ended hard enough you'll bend the frame and transfer all kinds of shocks that will not only damage other things, but probably your spine as well. The hatch will survive though.

Door tire carriers have lost popularity over the years due to the amount of damage that occurs in minor accidents.
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This was more or less the conclusion I was getting to, seems like a design you just can't really get around, and it looks like most tire carriers would just pivot with impact (usually aimed right at the window)
Thanks for the advice. Might go with a roof rack instead.
 
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