Which type of brumper protection actually works?

[garlic4runner]

Which type of bumper protection actually works?

I am in the market for front and rear bumper protection for my fathers 2011 TE and after reading many excellent threads I guess it comes down to which type of bumper protection actually does the least harm in an accident. Do I have it right? From what I gather many guards people install actually tend to cause more damage to the vehicle.

My primary concern are those times when you bump another vehicle while parking or when you make a mistake and slowly back into a pole or concrete divider. And even those times when you get into a fender bender and not a real accident. What I don't need is protection for off-roading and protection that extends up the grill and across my headlights.

I don't really know which design is best and I was hoping to learn about the options. Thanks for chiming in :nerd:

p.s. im looking to spend $500 total for front and rear and they don't have to be pretty :hungry:

 

[ironhippy]

My primary concern are those times when you bump another vehicle while parking or when you make a mistake and slowly back into a pole or concrete divider. And even those times when you get into a fender bender and not a real accident. What I don't need is protection for off-roading and protection that extends up the grill and across my headlights.

Well the protection for "off-roading" will also protect you from almost any parking lot/low speed collision. Bumpers are generally built for looks (bush gaurds) or for protection off road (steel bumpers).

p.s. im looking to spend $500 total for front and rear and they don't have to be pretty :hungry:

unless you plan on building the bumper yourself, I think you are WAY on the low side with that figure. I would be shocked if you could buy a single (front or rear, not both) cheap aftermarket replacement bumper for 500$. An OEM would probably be at least a grand to replace.

 

[ClockWork]

Sounds like you're a bad driver.

Shrockworks.

 

[bak3rme]

if you only got 500 bucks. i'll say just keep that money to buy a replacement stock bumper.

a brush guard will damage your bumpers even if you are in a slow moving bumper accident. in fact i dont think there is anything made to help take in the damage in those minor accidents besides a solid front bumper. which is gunna run you 1k+ for the newer 5th gen models. even brush-guards for the 5th gens are like 300 bucks. the rear hitch can take some damage if your hit from behind

so which type of bumper protection actually does help? solid metal bumpers. the ones that replace your stock ones. the ones that cost 1k or more

 

[Glock_19]

I actually got rear-ended this morning in traffic (only going around 5mph) by a Honda Accord. She hit the hitch step and the Runner is fine.

For the rear I would look into getting a hitch step. If you're worried about the front I guess brush guard maybe.

My hitch step: Go Rhino 360C Rhino Hitch Step for 2" Receiver Chrome

 

[garlic4runner]

ironhippy, thanks for the info and advice. Maybe I wasn't clear about what I am looking for. I'm not looking for bumpers I'm looking for some type of bar or something I can put in front of it to offer protection. Does that change your recommendation?

clockwork, say that to muh face and see what happens bub :uzi: (my dad is the one that backs into poles )

bak3rme, good to know. Thank you. Are you saying I should get an bumper protector that hooks into the rear hitch? I think I have seen those...

Glock_19, sweet thank!. I'll check that out. Seems the hitch step is $100, which leaves me another $400 for the front protection, i sure hope i can get something in that range.

I guess overall my issue is with the terminology. Brush guards could work but I'm not looking for total front end protection for lights and stuff and the grill. I really just want to protect the vehicle from bumps and such.

 

[ClockWork]

ironhippy, thanks for the info and advice. Maybe I wasn't clear about what I am looking for. I'm not looking for bumpers I'm looking for some type of bar or something I can put in front of it to offer protection. Does that change your recommendation?

clockwork, say that to muh face and see what happens bub :uzi: (my dad si the one that backs into poles )

bak3rme, good to know. Thank you. Are you saying I should get an bumper protector that hooks into the rear hitch? I think I have seen those...

Glock_19, sweet thank!. I'll check that out. Seems the hitch step is $100, which leaves me another $400 for the front protection, i sure hope i can get something in that range.

I guess overall my issue is with the terminology. Brush guards could work but I'm not looking for total front end protection for lights and stuff and the grill. I really just want to protect the vehicle from bumps and such.

Just get a bumper-bully and modify it to fit on the front one too.

 

[garlic4runner]

Just get a bumper-bully and modify it to fit on the front one too.

checking that out... No way, I don't like the look of it but thank you for the advice.

 

[ClockWork]

checking that out... No way, I don't like the look of it but thank you for the advice.

Well it sounds like you're up ****'s creek unless you get a real bumper or improve your driving skills.

 

[garlic4runner]

Well it sounds like you're up ****'s creek unless you get a real bumper or improve your driving skills.

what's a real bumper? can you link me to an image or vendor with images?

Really, I'm totally screwed? There is nothing along the lines of a big old piece of metal tube I can put in front and back to offer protection?

tell me to improve my driving skills one more time tough guy, just one more time thats all I ask :bash:

 

[ClockWork]

what's a real bumper? can you link me to an image or vendor with images?

Really, I'm totally screwed? There is nothing along the lines of a big old piece of metal tube I can put in front and back to offer protection?

tell me to improve my driving skills one more time tough guy, just one more time thats all I ask :bash:

So I heard you're a bad driver?:uzi::uzi:

Shrockworks is a real bumper as is ARB.

 

[garlic4runner]

So I heard you're a bad driver?:uzi::uzi:

Shrockworks is a real bumper as is ARB.

oh wow, so those bumpers fully replace the stock and don't just go over it. Well I can't do that lol but damn are they nice looking :wow:


I'm gonna head into my local truck parts store and look through some of their catalogs and see if I can find anything.

 

[ClockWork]

oh wow, so those bumpers fully replace the stock and don't just go over it. Well I can't do that lol but damn are they nice looking :wow:


I'm gonna head into my local truck parts store and look through some of their catalogs and see if I can find anything.

Correct.

I guarantee your adventure will be fruitless and the "expert" in the shop will try to sell you a piece of junk.

 

[garlic4runner]

Correct.

I guarantee your adventure will be fruitless and the "expert" in the shop will try to sell you a piece of junk.

you make me sad face

 

[chucknorris]

you could also find a local off-road fabrication shop that makes bumpers/sliders etc and see what they can do for custom stuff. For low-speed bump protection, a properly reinforced light bar/customized version could fit the bill plus, you get to have a say in the actual design of it AND probably come under budget.

As an example, if you had a Tacoma or 2nd Gen 4Runner, these guys have some light bars that could work and can be customized to clients needs.
Avid Off-Road

the Tacoma light bar they have could provide low speed bump protection with some properly welded reinforcment, added mounting points to the frame and maybe add a bar or two to increase structural rigidity.

They also do custom requests. So if you have a design, they can probably make it happen at a competitive price.

 

[Glock_19]

As far as the front you could just add a bull bar for pretty cheap.

Something like this: SteelCraft Bull Bars - 105+ Reviews & Best Prices on SteelCraft Black & Stainless Steel Truck Bull Bars

Just want to reiterate that these solutions are for some low speed bumps in a parking lot. Perhaps tapping a pole or something. Don't go trying to run the Rubicon with this stuff.

 

[garlic4runner]

As far as the front you could just add a bull bar for pretty cheap.

Something like this: SteelCraft Bull Bars - 105+ Reviews & Best Prices on SteelCraft Black & Stainless Steel Truck Bull Bars

Just want to reiterate that these solutions are for some low speed bumps in a parking lot. Perhaps tapping a pole or something. Don't go trying to run the Rubicon with this stuff.

thats more what I was thinking , but in black and very low key. Thanks

 

[zstampe]

What's a brumper?

 

[garlic4runner]

What's a brumper?

you know what? I wish you would just shut your big YAPPER!

 

[ironhippy]

The problem with a bullbar, is the same as a bush gaurd. If you are going slow enough, sure it'll help some but if you cross the speed threshold, a potentially minor fender bender can be serious because the bull bar is now pushed into your radiator/engine internals. Also anything in it's path (grill, headlights, etc.) will be taken out.

I'm not sure the bullbar posted is for anything more than looks.

The only way to really protect yourself in the scenarios described is to completely replace the bumper (like an ARB or Shockworks bumper). Normal truck accessories aren't meant to run into things, and the accessories that are (off road steel bumpers/sliders) aren't cheap because they work. Most people don't plan on running into things on a regular basis.