Front bumper alternatives?

[Martinjmpr]

Ok, I'm already starting to think about some mods to make to the Taco....:chowtime:

Here's my first issue: I hate the way the front bumper has a plastic piece underneath it so you can't use a hi-lift or similar bumper jack, to say nothing of the fact that it's just hanging down there where it can potentially get damaged.

However, what sux on the 01-04 Tacos is that Toyota, in their wisdom decided to put the turn signal lamps in that lower plastic part (air dam? valance panel? Roll pan? whatever it's called. )

Now, I'm thinking about what I might do to remedy this situation.

I guess the cheapest way would be to just pull that plastic panel off and find some way of mounting the turn signals above the bumper. Anyone done that?

Another alternative would be an aftermarket bumper, which incorporates some kind of turn signal lamp setup. I know ARB makes a very nice one, but the ARB one has two drawbacks: First, it's hideously expensive (I think it's in the $900-$1200 range, IIRC) and second, it looks too big and heavy.

I'm really trying to stay as close to stock weight as possible. I don't need (nor want) a big heavy bull bar, just a rugged front bumper that can take a jack. If it has recovery points and can mount some tools as well, so much the better.

Any ideas? I know there used to be a company called Stout Engineering that made some cool stuff for Toyotas. My understanding is that they've changed their name but I lost the link to the new place. I'd probably be willing to spend $500-$600 for a serviceable bumper, do you think that's realistic or am I going to have to get into the $1k territory if I want something decent and functional?

 

[erin]

I think in that price range, you're looking at a tube style bumper, such as Allpro. I know I cut out around my signal lamps to mount them below my aftermarket bumper, and it worked fairly well, but I don't think they would inlet into the factory steel portion well, they need some of the plastic to mount. Would it be possible to use commercial lamps and inlet those into the factory bumper?

 

[xcmountain80]

We ran into the same issue on my brothers 2002 taco dc. So we opted for the BentUp offroad solution. $400-$725 and they are heavy enough to get the job done. http://bentup.com/front.html

Aaron

 

[Bighead]

You can get a TJM T-17 for the Taco for between $400 and $500.

 

[xcmountain80]

He said he wanted to able to hi-lift it, I have a t-17 and certainly wouldnt hi-lift it from the side, on the Bentup we have tried and it only flexes a little.

Aaron

 

[viter]

relocating turn signals into parking light housing - http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/tacoma_turn_signal/
trimming front bumper and relocating turn signals - http://4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/tacoma_front_trim/

arb bumper is I think around $800 for 2001-2004 tacomas
as somebody mentioned tubular bumpers will probably be lightest.

you other choices are demello offroad (make very good quality products), allpro, marlin crawler perhaps, and a bunch others if you go and search on http://www.ttora.com/forum/

also if you are in a bind and need to jack up front of the truck witha high lift on the front right above the plastic there is a metal crush bar tube that you can use with the high lift. hoewver, I say use it ONLY if you do not have other choice cause that crush bar is secured to the frame with a couple of bolts, is thin, and will bend upward somewhat (and probably fail eventually) after repeated use. I've bent mine like that before.

you could also make your own metal platform that welds/bolts to the bumper and goes behind the plastic, where the crush bar tube is, that you could use with high-lift and to mount a winch if you were to choose so. you just gotta make sure it is strong enough and distributes the load on the frame well.
that's kinda what I got -

 

[Tucson T4R]

I'm a big fan of the Shrockworks bumpers but they probably run on the pricey end. Built like a tank though.

http://www.shrockworks.com/Toyota-Tacoma-Winch-Bumper-Bull-Bar-Front-pr-16174.html

 

[Martinjmpr]

You can get a TJM T-17 for the Taco for between $400 and $500.




Never heard of TJM. Do you have a link?

 

[kcowyo]

Last I heard, Shrockworks still had the 01-04 Tacoma bumpers in the design phase and not ready for production yet. They do make nice stuff but I can't imagine they'll have their bumper in the $500 range.

BentUp and Badland Bumpers are two I really like on Tacomas.

 

[Bighead]

You can get a TJM T-17 for the Taco for between $400 and $500.

Never heard of TJM. Do you have a link?

TJM USA FYI, I run a TJM T-15 on my 4Runner.

Steve at Sonoran Steel sells these also... SS TJM page

 

[SilverBullet]

TJM USA FYI, I run a TJM T-15 on my 4Runner.

Steve at Sonoran Steel sells these also... SS TJM page

Just FYI, the TJM T-17 for the 4Runners are back ordered until sometime around October... I am on that list, you may want to check on the Tacoma bumpers before you make your final decision.

 

[Martinjmpr]

That TJM looks very interesting...basically that's what I'm looking for.

There's a Rally/Car show for the Rising Sun 4wd club this Saturday, and I know Slee Off Road is going to be there, I may see what they have (incidentally, I went to the monthly meeting last Wednesday and Slee had his wild SASd UJZ-100 there! It was crazy looking!)

 

[flyingwil]

Try Steve over at CBI and get one custom made how you want it.

Shrockworks is still in the prototype stages...

 

[Martinjmpr]

Try Steve over at CBI and get one custom made how you want it.

Shrockworks is still in the prototype stages...

Idaho is a bit of a drive. The advantage of Slee is that they're in my backyard.

 

[flyingwil]

Idaho is a bit of a drive. The advantage of Slee is that they're in my backyard.

They do not need the truck. They have Jigs for that. Shipping is very reasonable and they tend to go on many trail runs... one might even be close... and will deliver for next to nothing. Might be worth a shot.