I'm interested in hearing from those of you who have installed a steel front bumper (Shrock, Budbuilt, ARB) and a winch about your experience with the change in your truck's handling. I would imagine that hanging more than 200 pounds in front of the front axle would make the steering less responsive and cause the truck to understeer or push through corners. Is it noticeable? How bad is it? Do any of you think the handling trade-off is not worth benefits? Or, would you have gone for a winchplate instead because of the handling trade-off?
Steel bumper+winch handling trade-off
- Thread starter rbrownlie
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jbstrd
New member
I do not have a steel bumper/winch on my 5th Gen yet, but I do on my '98 Tacoma and I did have a steel bumper on my previous 3rd Gen T4R. When I initially got my ARB bumper for my Tacoma, I was running a crappy Revtek spacer lift. The steering response was horrible and the body roll and dive was rediculous. However, as soon as I went with quality coilovers with 650# springs, you can hardly tell it is there.
IMO, if you have the spring rate to handle the bumper/winch weight, which you should, there will be no ill effects.
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mikey's2010SR5
New member
I agree with Andrew. I felt the weight change but it was not a big deal, still handled great. Now I definitely feel the weight of the rear bumper and it has slowed me around corners a little.
GrantK
New member
You need to practice doing power slides more.:driving:
RiDE
New member
I don't have a winch yet but I do have the Shrockworks front bumper and sliders and you can definitely feel the difference. Is it worth it? Hell yea it is. I'm sure my suspension helps a lot with the extra weight. I still feel the truck handles pretty good considering all the weight I've added to it. The handling trade offs are definitely worth the benefit of a front bumper.
