School me on off road front bumpers?

[TW44LR]

There’s this @%1;guy that does a thing with rear bumpers


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[Mendoncyclesmith]

Okay, happy pandemic everyone!

So rather than start a new thread, I'll just keep this one going.

I ended up ordering a rear from SRQ Fabrications back in March. 15+ week lead time, means I'm taking delivery tomorrow.

96-02 4Runner Rear Plate Bumper - Welded

No swing out, just the basic one.

Due to various circumstances, it's coming a day or so before I leave on vacation....

Curious if I should just not bother till after I get back, or if anyone has experience with removing and installing rears.

The front, I was able to remove the old, but the install was beyond me.

Are rears simpler? I'm deleting my hitch mounting since the bumper has it integrated (only carrying bikes), but any insight that would prevent me from having a half torn apart vehicle, Saturday morning when I leave, would be greatly appreciated.

Got my lighting all sorted, just got my valve cover gasket leak repaired, this 3rd Gen is really starting to shape up into an awesome summer toy!! :rockon:

 

[Bad Luck]

Okay, happy pandemic everyone!

So rather than start a new thread, I'll just keep this one going.

I ended up ordering a rear from SRQ Fabrications back in March. 15+ week lead time, means I'm taking delivery tomorrow.

96-02 4Runner Rear Plate Bumper - Welded

No swing out, just the basic one.

Due to various circumstances, it's coming a day or so before I leave on vacation....

Curious if I should just not bother till after I get back, or if anyone has experience with removing and installing rears.

The front, I was able to remove the old, but the install was beyond me.

Are rears simpler? I'm deleting my hitch mounting since the bumper has it integrated (only carrying bikes), but any insight that would prevent me from having a half torn apart vehicle, Saturday morning when I leave, would be greatly appreciated.

Got my lighting all sorted, just got my valve cover gasket leak repaired, this 3rd Gen is really starting to shape up into an awesome summer toy!! :rockon:

Did you order it powder coated or raw steel?

 

[Unner]

Okay, happy pandemic everyone!

So rather than start a new thread, I'll just keep this one going.

I ended up ordering a rear from SRQ Fabrications back in March. 15+ week lead time, means I'm taking delivery tomorrow.

96-02 4Runner Rear Plate Bumper - Welded

No swing out, just the basic one.

Due to various circumstances, it's coming a day or so before I leave on vacation....

Curious if I should just not bother till after I get back, or if anyone has experience with removing and installing rears.

The front, I was able to remove the old, but the install was beyond me.

Are rears simpler? I'm deleting my hitch mounting since the bumper has it integrated (only carrying bikes), but any insight that would prevent me from having a half torn apart vehicle, Saturday morning when I leave, would be greatly appreciated.

Got my lighting all sorted, just got my valve cover gasket leak repaired, this 3rd Gen is really starting to shape up into an awesome summer toy!! :rockon:

Rears are typically simpler. You may have to drill an extra hole or two in the frame to accommodate how your specific one mounts. I recommend a step bit for drilling through the frame.

Did you get the Sonoral Steel rear body mounts? Lots of stories of people who didn't get them having the bumper flex into the body and cause damage while offroading. I recommend replacing those read body mounts between taking the OE bumper off and putting the new one on.

1996-2002 4Runner Rear Polyurethane Body Mounts (Pair) - $93.45 : Sonoran Steel Fabrication LLC, Toyota Truck Parts

The rear isn't as scary as the front since you aren't cutting up the frame, but I'd take your time and not rush if you're trying to leave for a trip soon. Things always take 3 times longer than you expect.

Get the bumper powder coated if it isn't already, get those body mounts, and take your time doing it. It's nothing more than a bunch of bolts, jacking up the body and then bumper, and maybe drilling a hole or two.

 

[Devbot]

Rears are typically simpler. You may have to drill an extra hole or two in the frame to accommodate how your specific one mounts. I recommend a step bit for drilling through the frame.

Did you get the Sonoral Steel rear body mounts? Lots of stories of people who didn't get them having the bumper flex into the body and cause damage while offroading. I recommend replacing those read body mounts between taking the OE bumper off and putting the new one on.

1996-2002 4Runner Rear Polyurethane Body Mounts (Pair) - $93.45 : Sonoran Steel Fabrication LLC, Toyota Truck Parts

The rear isn't as scary as the front since you aren't cutting up the frame, but I'd take your time and not rush if you're trying to leave for a trip soon. Things always take 3 times longer than you expect.

Get the bumper powder coated if it isn't already, get those body mounts, and take your time doing it. It's nothing more than a bunch of bolts, jacking up the body and then bumper, and maybe drilling a hole or two.

Thanks for the info I currently have a tire carrier in the works from CBI and was totally unaware of this. That would've been a major bummer to find out the hard way, especially considering I initially bought a bumper/tire carrier cause I put a dent in my flawless rear! Not sure if my bumper will warrant one but better safe than sorry

 

[Unner]

Thanks for the info I currently have a tire carrier in the works from CBI and was totally unaware of this. That would've been a major bummer to find out the hard way, especially considering I initially bought a bumper/tire carrier cause I put a dent in my flawless rear! Not sure if my bumper will warrant one but better safe than sorry

Definitely worth it. No way the stock mounts aren't worn out by now anyway. If you read through the write up on their site they show how much deflection the stock mounts can have and it's kinda crazy. Apparently people have even had issues with stock bumpers under harsh conditions.

 

[Devbot]

Definitely worth it. No way the stock mounts aren't worn out by now anyway. If you read through the write up on their site they show how much deflection the stock mounts can have and it's kinda crazy. Apparently people have even had issues with stock bumpers under harsh conditions.

Oh I wouldn't doubt it, if multiple steel bumpers do it then it stands reason to believe the stock one does as well; at least to some degree
I wonder, is this a problem for those with body lifts or would the problem be fixed during the process? Since all the mounts would've been replaced anyways

 

[Unner]

Oh I wouldn't doubt it, if multiple steel bumpers do it then it stands reason to believe the stock one does as well; at least to some degree
I wonder, is this a problem for those with body lifts or would the problem be fixed during the process? Since all the mounts would've been replaced anyways

A body lift raises the body off the frame of the vehicle so you are creating a bigger gap and more room for the flex between the frame(bumper) and body so in theory a body lift would accomplish the same thing, unless you have your bumper built to accomade a body lift where they build the sides taller to fill in the gap. I'm not sure if a body lift replaces the rear mounts entirely or not. I've never been interested in a body lift so I've never researched it much.

 

[Devbot]

A body lift raises the body off the frame of the vehicle so you are creating a bigger gap and more room for the flex between the frame(bumper) and body so in theory a body lift would accomplish the same thing, unless you have your bumper built to accomade a body lift where they build the sides taller to fill in the gap. I'm not sure if a body lift replaces the rear mounts entirely or not. I've never been interested in a body lift so I've never researched it much.

Exactly the dilemma I was thinking about. Regardless I'm just asking for my own frame of reference, not looking to add one any time soon since none of my armor is accommodated for it like you mentioned. Would be a whole lot of money to ditch! Sucks cause it was something I definitely had on my list but totally spaced the entire time I was doing my front bumper :frusty:

 

[phattyduck]

Apparently people have even had issues with stock bumpers under harsh conditions.

The stock bumper is attached to the body - so unless the issues are the hitch hitting the bumper, that isn't possible.

That said, those rear mounts are really soft, even when new. Probably meant to isolate any towing stresses from the rear body, and only there to hold things together in a severe crash (like the b-pillar mounts - similar 'loose' setup).

-Charlie

 

[Devbot]

Well speak of the damn devil, the bumper shipped today way ahead of schedule! Was quoted end of October initially. And now oddly enough it's no longer available from CBI? Must've gotten lucky

 

[Mendoncyclesmith]

Sorry for the lag in response! Got it done just in time to go away for a week, and I'm catching up now.

So, yeah, it was a bit of a process. Got the OEM rear off fairly easily, had to destroy a couple things, but I wouldn't be needing them again, so, all good.

The hitch mount was the biggest PITA. I got three of the 8 bolts out, and broke two, stopped.

Oxyacetylene torch first thing Thursday morning at a buddies garage, got the remaining bolts out. What a great feeling, watching that thing drop to the ground....

More grinder destruction to get the old bumper brackets off, a bit of head scratching how to do the install myself, but clamps, muscle, patience, and thankfully, a pocketed design that allowed it to hang freely on the frame rails once up and in place, made it possible.

I'll look into the stuff you're talking about with shock mounts, but for now, the rusted out hulk is gone, the spare tire, temporarily deleted till I find a good used tire (the EOM one is 25 years old, jeeeeeebus...), and this thing just looks soooo much better!