Top 10 Reasons for Off-Road Bumper

[zzdocxx]

What do you feel are the reasons for adding an off-road bumper to your rig? In order of importance?

For example:

Looks totally cool and tough.
Protection if you hit large animals accidentally.
Mounting winch.
Protection from trail hazards.
Mounting lights, antennae.

I'm sure there are lots of reasons for and against -- these are just off the top of my head.

I curious to know what you guys think.

Thanks!

:artist2:

 

[Road Bull]

What do you feel are the reasons for adding an off-road bumper to your rig? In order of importance?

For example:

Looks totally cool and tough.
Protection if you hit large animals accidentally.
Mounting winch.
Protection from trail hazards.
Mounting lights, antennae.

I'm sure there are lots of reasons for and against -- these are just off the top of my head.

I curious to know what you guys think.

Thanks!

:artist2:

Needs and wants.

For me, protection for on and off road. Mine is my DD, and it is painful to watch people wing parallel parking near me when they haven't the skills or care needed to accomplish the task. But the other aspect is purpose. Winch mount and solid recovery points as well as improved approach and departure angles.

Rear bumper swing out. Utility. Somewhere to mount a full size 285, hi-lift and jerry can while offering better protection.

 

[DeepSea88]

To add a few,

Approach angle

Recovery points

Lots more results if you search "front bumper" in whatever Gen forum you're looking for.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Haha,

Shrockworks Bumper - about $2500
Motorcycle - about $2000 in damage,
Saving my front end and completing the WABDR - Priceless!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...IIHDAA&usg=AFQjCNH4K2j98yB3Kj313Eq5KNLxtGgYeg

 

[jwkilgore]

- Improved approach angles/clearance, but I just want to improve them not go to extremes
- Less damage if you hit dips and rocks even with the improved clearance
- Winch mount
- High-lift points

That's my legit justification for dreaming and saving. I ripped and finally fully removed my front air dam and keep whacking my OEM rear bumper. I may trim off the little lower fins on the rear plastic to help, but eventually I want steel bumpers. Also they look cool (duh).

 

[Engineer]

For me it was primarily a winch mounting point and higher mounted recovery points in the front. I was seriously considering a hidden winch mount but with the group buy price of the SSS Hybrid and the ability to have extra lights mounted I went that direction. I get no additional clearance from mine. In the future, I might upgrade to a full front bumper if I can find a Alu. one I like but I have no need at the moment and it certainly adds a look to the 4runner that I don't always love.

I do wish in hindsight I had passed on the Gobi Rack and got a Rear bumper first (still don't have one). I think a rear bumper would have provided me far more utility then the roof rack thus far.

 

[zzdocxx]

Rear bumper swing out. Utility. Somewhere to mount a full size 285, hi-lift and jerry can while offering better protection. Good point, hadn't thought that far ahead.

Lots more results if you search "front bumper" in whatever Gen forum you're looking for.
Thanks, will do.

Shrockworks Bumper - about $2500
Motorcycle - about $2000 in damage,
Saving my front end and completing the WABDR - Priceless!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...IIHDAA&usg=AFQjCNH4K2j98yB3Kj313Eq5KNLxtGgYeg Unbelievable. :scared: What went through your mind at that moment?

. . . Also they look cool (duh).Lol and thanks for the input.

I might upgrade to a full front bumper if I can find a Alu. one I like . . . I think a rear bumper would have provided me far more utility then the roof rack thus far.The SSS is very stealth, nice. :spy: I'm thinking aluminum too if the cost differential isn't too high. Rear bumper, good point.

:tea:

 

[robinsonalex760]

:hello: hi I am new here, nice to meet all of you, in my opinion: Approach angle

 

[Rock_Rat]

:tea:

I'm not sure if you saw it from his perspective or not but here's the instagram link: Husqvarna Crash

To answer your question "Unbelievable. What went through your mind at that moment?"

No time to think, just react. (Unfortunately, this is also the major cause of rollovers when a deer or other animal jumps in front of you.) As you can see I quickly pulled over to the right as far as I could. Literally braced for impact. After the impact, I was hoping he was OK and survived the crash. I never once thought about my rig as I knew it could take a beating and it really wasn't a concern at the time. Having been a WFR in the past I had my own med kit and knew how to respond to these situations.

 

[MeefZah]

Bumpers do offer a lot of utility options and look pretty boss.

I recognize that there are some people that actually use the utility options but I have to believe most do it for appearance.

I am off road or in the NF on fire roads 4 days a week and I can count on one hand the number of trucks I see that aren't basically stock with maybe better tires and a small lift. Meanwhile, on my freeway forays I see tons of trucks that are totally built with bumpers and winches front and rear, and not a speck of dirt on them or in any visible underbody crevices. This decidedly non-scientific study leads me to believe those who use, stay stock-ish; and those who pose, don't.

Flame away!

Edit, to answer the question: 1) appearance

Further edit, full disclosure, I was one of those who pose. I had a SSS hybrid and winch on my 2014 TE... and never used them once. Although, I was always in places where I could have found a use for them if I went looking for trouble, I just didn't.

 

[v_man]

Front bumpers are really just $1,500 mounting points for bottle openers...

 

[Titanpat57]

Replenishing your venison supply, the natural way...


I actually think a front bumper makes you think "more" in a situation that may be a little more technical. Yes, even with the security of the armor and the winch matters, I believe there is a heightened awareness that is not present because you wouldn't normally do with a standard front end...make sense?

 

[Seattle206]

I put mine on for looks mainly at first, cause hey I've always modded my vehicles with appearance and performance parts I don't need. It's always fun to have something a little "different" compared to everybody else's rides.

I would say that since I've had my plate bumper installed I do feel a bit more confident picking different lines on the trail. With my plastic bumper I was careful not to scrape or rip it off. With my current setup I do not hesitate running through thick bushes or hitting some dirt ditch/dip. I can easily re-touch the bumper with black paint.

It's always fun modding a rig. Good thing about vehicles is that you can always reverse it back to stock. It only costs money and time.

 

[zzdocxx]

I'm not sure if you saw it from his perspective or not but here's the instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJEYY49jEZ5/

Link not working but I hear you loud and clear.

You guys are the best ! Loling here.

Yeah definitely want to look cool.

:nerd:

 

[Rock_Rat]

Link not working but I hear you loud and clear.

You guys are the best ! Loling here.

Yeah definitely want to look cool.

:nerd:

Here's the edited link. Husqvarna Crash on the WABDR

 

[Inv4drZm]

Stays prettier longer than stock when playing in the rocks.

Can run bigger tires easier with more wheel well clearance.

 

[MeefZah]

My wife dared me to mow over a homeless guy's shopping cart, and when I didn't (out of fear of damage, not a sense of humanity), she observed that I probably would have if I had a steel bumper.

She was right.

Therefore I update my above post:

1) appearance
2) troglodyte cart bumper cars

 

[Ray Dunakin]

For me the top issues are improved clearance and strength, especially after tearing up the stock plastic bumper was after my first off-road trip in the new 4Runner.

The badass-cool-looks factor was just a fringe benefit.

 

[jrm]

Additional front recovery points

great winch platform and improved front approach angle...:fro:

 

[jpachard]

I haven't done either yet as the trails I have been on out here haven't caused an issue, departure angle wise. I've been pleasantly surprised with how much clearance I have with the stock setup and I haven't added a zillion pounds to my rig... I am considering a rear bumper for the swing out capability though...


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