Where to find rear bumper parts?

[myoldtoy]

Hey Guys,
Very recently moved here to NC from AZ. Last weekend my cherry 98 4runner SR5, which I have owned since new in Sept. 97, got into it's first accident.

I was rear ended while stoping for a traffic light by a young girl in a ratty old Camery. Fortunately nobody got hurt. Her car ended up with a bent hood, smashed grille, and ripped her bumper in half. By the sound and force of impact I thought the back of my truck would be torn up. To my surprise all I got was a crease in the center section of the bumper, a small dent on the left corner of the bumper and a flattened/ripped rubber plug that fits in the tongue. The factory class III receiver saved me. Her car pretty much dove underneath the hitch with the leading edge of her hood creasing the bumper.
At first glance you might not even notice any damage but it's there.

Hopefully her insurance will cover the damage. While waiting I did spend some time on line looking for the two bumper sections that I will be needing since I would prefer to do the work myself. I couldn't find them anywhere. Is the truck so old that these parts are no longer available anymore?

Thank you for the help in advance!

 

[imboredeveryday]

have you looked on rockauto.com you can find almost everything there is on there

 

[T4R2014]

Good to hear you're ok. The factory hitch really is a lifesaver on these trucks.

As for the rear bumper, you have 3 options.

1. Get a new OEM. ($$$)

2. Get a new ebay replacement.

3. Find a used bumper at a wrecker.

Since you're in NC, you should be able to get a clean used bumper. I would go the used route since the aftermarket replacements are inferior in quality from my experience.

 

[Jagerzel]

Insurance

I lost my first 4runner the same way - the kid bent the frame when he hit me and they totaled it out - 2002 4wd 70K mi. Anyways, I would take the insurance money and get some aftermarket armor for the rear. Until I can do the same I put a monster hook in the receiver. Next one that rear ends is gonna be hooked!

Excuse the rust on the hook - thats what Hawaii does to crappy chrome jobs. Probably gonna just wind up painting it.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I think the rusted hook is awesome. just paint the stem black and leave the hook looking rusted.

 

[Jagerzel]

Thanks Brian - you should of seen it when it was as shiny as the bumper

 

[jreask]

I just bought a new bumper end on eBay. It fit perfectly.

96 02 Toyota 4Runner Rear Bumper End Extension Left LH | eBay

 

[MX4R]

Get insurance check and go aftermarket armor. Push to get the bumper, paint, chips, nicks, hitch, trim... I bet the check will be near $1000. Then spend a little over half that at addicted offroad for their sick rear bumper/ receiver.

Insurance companies will be picky/ cheap. Stay on them to document every detail.

 

[myoldtoy]

Thank you for al your help guys. Now I have places to look for parts.

That hook looks nasty. I'd have to put a few extra pounds in the air bags just to hold that thing up in the air!

I have another question...I have a pretty much loaded 98 SR5. It has the 265's tire option with 410 gears. (I think they are 410's? I'll have to pull out the original window sticker) and the truck has those large black plastic wheel well opening extenders. I'm assuming that I have the large wheel opening that requires the shorter return on the corner bumper piece where the 2WD has a smaller wheel opening and a longer return on the corner bumper?

Just wanting to be sure so I don't order the wrong corner bumper piece.

 

[Drcoffee]

Dont forget to order the bumper supports if you go OEM. They are the Y shaped bracket that connects it to the frame. I'm sure they are toast.

 

[dtc81]

I'm pretty sure I have a drivers side chrome bumper panel laying around (probably brackets too) in good shape off my 99 sr5 4x4. If you're interested let me know. I'll sell it for a lot less than an OEM replacement.