The need for aftermarket bumpers?

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PayTaxesHailSatan

New member
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...

I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.

I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.

I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.

educate me, please.
 
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If you already know that you won't off road in a way that requires bumpers then don't get them. Get out there and do your thing. If you get to a point where you are doing things that make you nervous for body damage or you start dragging bumpers then you will answer your own question.
 
PayTaxesHailSatan said:
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...

I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.

I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.

I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.

educate me, please.
Click to expand...

I'm not a rock crawler either but I'm getting a rear plate bumper to carry a 33" spare tire, hi-lift jack, maybe a gas can & to protect my truck in case of a collision. Plus they look damn cool!
 
PayTaxesHailSatan said:
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...

I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.

I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.

I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.

educate me, please.
Click to expand...

My reasoning behind the armor was mainly for approach angle and something to mount a winch.

If you wheel alone and feel you may get stuck a winch bumper is worth a ton. The approach angle is so much better also so less chance of damage or getting hung up on the bumper.
 
My current stock bumper is twisted and crooked thanks to getting smashed on rocks. Wouldn't have happened if I had an aftermarket bumper.
 
I'm thinking of getting a front bumper to mount a winch and feel a little better when off roading alone. Also, in the event of an accident, I think this is a plus and while it won't make your truck bulletproof it will help mitigate damages especially at city speed.

But yes, it's a lot of money to invest and if your truck isn't in great shape it's less relevant.
 
If you are planning to go off road at all, there will surely come a time when you will need a winch, so a front winch bumper is a must have. A rear not so much, unless you plan to run oversize tires, in which case you will need a rear bumper that can accommodate high lift jack, spare tire, and extra gas cans.

Basically, a mild lift, oversize off road tires, front and rear armor, winch and maybe a locker is a good recipe for the mild trail rig that you speak of.
 
PayTaxesHailSatan said:
I have no intentions to turn my 4runner into a dedicated crawler. I just want to have a rig that can explore fields, fire breaks, play in the mud, etc...

I'm just wondering if the big steel aftermarket bumpers are really worth it for what I'm trying to do.

I guess I'm looking for personal experience that helped everyone justify their decisions to get one, seeing as armor isn't cheap.

I'd still like to get sliders and skids, but guess I'm having a hard time justifying bumpers that cost 1/4 to 1/3 what I paid for the truck itself.

educate me, please.
Click to expand...

Just watch the first few seconds of my friend driving my T4R..

https://youtu.be/R1uoueNKwqU
 
Whatever you do, just don't go "halfway" and end up with a bush guard that wraps around to the side of your fenders. My off-roading buddies and I started calling those "damage multipliers" because all the people we saw that got those ended up with dents in the front corner of their fender when it flexes to the side with the first hit against anything, plus their approach angle was much worse since it had to stick out so far to go over their stock bumper.
 
For me, I try to upgrade when something fails. So my rear bumper, I took off and folded it in thirds to stick in the trash can. Didn't have much life left in it so I like to invest the money (if I can at the time) to upgrade to the best I can get to fit me needs.

Run what you have till it fails. Then see what you NEED.
 
Doesn't sound like you need them. They cost a fortune, there's a significant weight penalty which in turn costs in gas mileage and performance, and offer LESS occupant protection in high speed accidents with other vehicles or solid barriers.

They are great if you plan to wheel for increased approach, departure, a way to mount a winch, extraction points, ability to tow a trailer, etc., and offer a great deal of body protection against trail obstacles or slow speed accidents. ....And....they look great. It just depends on how important that is to you.

Everything's a trade off....
 
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Sean K. said:
Doesn't sound like you need them. They cost a fortune, there's a significant weight penalty which in turn costs in gas mileage and performance, and offer LESS occupant protection in high speed accidents with other vehicles or solid barriers.

They are great if you plan to wheel for increased approach, departure, a way to mount a winch, extraction points, ability to tow a trailer, etc., and offer a great deal of body protection against trail obstacles or slow speed accidents. ....And....they look great. It just depends on how important that is to you.

Everything's a trade off....
Click to expand...

you make me sound rich :hail::sniper:
 
Sean K. said:
Doesn't sound like you need them. They cost a fortune, there's a significant weight penalty which in turn costs in gas mileage and performance, and offer LESS occupant protection in high speed accidents with other vehicles or solid barriers.

They are great if you plan to wheel for increased approach, departure, a way to mount a winch, extraction points, ability to tow a trailer, etc., and offer a great deal of body protection against trail obstacles or slow speed accidents. ....And....they look great. It just depends on how important that is to you.

Everything's a trade off....
Click to expand...

Thats why I have just a front bumper. Too expensive for the rest, to much weight for a DD. Im going to add a front skid and that is it. The front stock bumper and skid take most of the hits.
 
I thought i never needed a bumper before ARB, but it has saved my butt from deer especially living in deer and rodent territory. took out 3 deer so far :reddance:

The weight difference is about 20 pounds more then a stock bumper and paired with OME 883, it's not front heavy
 
my92t4r said:
I thought i never needed a bumper before ARB, but it has saved my butt from deer especially living in deer and rodent territory. took out 3 deer so far :reddance:

The weight difference is about 20 pounds more then a stock bumper and paired with OME 883, it's not front heavy
Click to expand...

So you're claiming the ARB bumper only weighs about 41 lbs?

Here's a member who weighed his stock bumper....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/232021-3rd-gen-oem-front-bumper-weight.html

I weighed my tube bumper and it came in about something like 56 lbs. IIRC.

Did you actually weigh yours?

Here's a link to a similar Tacoma bumper:

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-3423020-Winch-Compatible-Bull/dp/B004LQCG7E

150 lbs.....

Maybe you have just the ARB "Sahara" bar?
 
Sean K. said:
So you're claiming the ARB bumper only weighs about 41 lbs?

Here's a member who weighed his stock bumper....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/232021-3rd-gen-oem-front-bumper-weight.html

I weighed my tube bumper and it came in about something like 56 lbs. IIRC.

Did you actually weigh yours?

Here's a link to a similar Tacoma bumper:

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-3423020-Winch-Compatible-Bull/dp/B004LQCG7E

150 lbs.....

Maybe you have just the ARB "Sahara" bar?
Click to expand...


it felt like 20+ pds more then the stock pig nose bumper for me. I was able to installed it by myself and i know im a weakling.....then you also chop off about 10 pds from the front mount points

150 pds is the shipping weight
 
my92t4r said:
it felt like 20+ pds more then the stock pig nose bumper for me. I was able to installed it by myself and i know im a weakling.....then you also chop off about 10 pds from the front mount points

150 pds is the shipping weight
Click to expand...

So over 100 lbs of packing material. Sounds about right.....LOL.
 
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