Crisis = Danger + opportunity...

[Martinjmpr]

...or as Homer Simpson would call it, "Crisi-Tunity." :sombrero:

Although in this case the "danger" was pretty minimal.

We had a forecast of snow yesterday, 3 - 6" in the metro area (which turned out to be wildly pessimistic - it was more like a trace) but I decided to drive the 4runner instead of the DD Mazda.

Good thing. While driving home after shopping at the commissary, a kid in a Jeep Patriot pulled right out in front of me. I slammed on the brakes but it was too late, I hit him broadside right behind the drivers' side front wheel.

Nobody was hurt and my air bag did not deply (maybe because of the low speed or because I hit on the right front of my 4runner and there was no passenger.)

I was able to drive away and the other guy got the ticket. Damage can be seen below:

Bumper is pushed back on the right side, right front fender is buckled just a little bit, and the headlight was popped out of alignment (pushed up by the bumper, I think.) Drives OK and I think my speed was low enough to mean no frame damage.

The plastic under-bumper seems to have taken the brunt of the impact. Didn't even break the turn signal which surprised me!

So that's the "danger", the "opportunity" comes next: I haven't gotten a damage estimate yet but based on what I've seen at body shops, most likely they'll want to replace the front bumper.

So I'm thinking: If I'm replacing the front bumper anyway, why not go with something a bit more beefy?

I Know ARB is the preferred one here but ARB's are hella expensive (something like $800 new) and they seem pretty heavy. I'm thinking maybe something like a tube bumper?

Any thoughts?

What sucks is that two weeks from today I take off for Death Valley, and I don't think I'd be able to have anything fabbed up before then. I just hope I can get my right front headlight pointed in the right direction and everything lashed down before the trip.

 

[CYi5]

I really like the new Trail-Gear tube bumper for tacomas/4runners. I even thought about selling the ARB and getting one for a bit.

 

[Scott B.]

You have 2 whole weeks to get something fabbed up - what's the problem?:sombrero:

Seriously, glad you're OK and still able to make the trip.

See what the insurance company will give you - it might make an ARB affordable.

 

[BIGdaddy]

This type of "opportunity" is how I financed the rokmen sliders on my previous jeep. A gentlemen backed into the side of my jeep while it was parked. Purely his fault. had a nice 12" dent near the rear tire.

They gave me $1200.00 to fix a small dent and I decided, since the paint was not damaged on the bent rear rocker panel that a good plan, and upgrade, would be to pull that sheetmetal out back to its original position by bending it and bolting it to the sliders.

Found a shop that would take the insurance check and they sold me sliders, did the bodywork, and install for about $1190.00. I told them to keep the change.

Funny how things work out...

 

[keezer37]

Looks similar to the damage I suffered when I bounced off a cable guard rail. With no straightening of metal, paintwork to be done, I got an estimate and replaced all the necessary parts myself.
I was overly anxious to get the work done and bought an ARB. I should have taken my time and considered other options. Probably would have ended up with the ARB still as I am apt to go with a tried and true product.
I see your trim piece under the headlamp is pushed. Look for a broken grill mounting post there and headlamp housing mount.
My fender was even a little tweaked just like that. I was able to tug on it and pull it back out.
If you do your own work, make sure your getting everything listed on the first estimate so you don't have to go back to the body shop for a second one.

Found a pic.

 

[Gerdo]

Addicted Offroad has a nice 3rd gen tube bumper. I've seen it in person. Scotty is up in Greeley also.

http://www.addictedoffroad.com/

 

[Martinjmpr]

Addicted Offroad has a nice 3rd gen tube bumper. I've seen it in person. Scotty is up in Greeley also.

http://www.addictedoffroad.com/

Yeah, that's on my short list. I may have to shoot him an email. Should get the estimate in a day or two.

 

[ttora4runner]

My two cents goes towards the outdoorlogic, armorology and shrockworks bumpers.

 

[18seeds]

it looks totaled and unsafe. I'm happy to take it off your hands

 

[Martinjmpr]

My two cents goes towards the outdoorlogic, armorology and shrockworks bumpers.

Plate bumpers look nice but they're too heavy and waaaaay too expensive for me. I think a basic Armorology bumper is ~$1500 and a 4 - 6 month waiting time. That would be like throwing a $40 saddle on a $10 horse.

Addicted's tube bumper is around $500 which (if my research is correct) is close to the cost of a stock bumper.

 

[JCMatthews]

Arb

My vote is for the ARB. I can't think of a better choice for any front end. I had a similar thing happen to me. I owned a Jeep Cherokee and had a guy run a stop sign and take off my grill and smash my bumper. I did not get enough to buy an ARB, but it was enough to get one from Tomken 4x4 out of Colorado. It was a good accident for me. I also got all of my tree pin-stripping clear coated again, as they had to make the repair match.

 

[targa88]

I have always preferred tube (both front and rear bars are tube on my rig). Lightweight but efficient protection.

 

[Pedro]

Had a similar thing happen with my 2nd Gen 4Runner. The insurance cost for the bumper paid for most of the ARB and installation. I would recommend getting the damage appraised and then looking into the ARB. They fit perfectly.

 

[Go4Lo]

Like others have said I would recommend getting it appraised and seeing how much the insurance company will give you.

I had an accident in February of this year in my Tundra (my fault) destroying the front bumper and mounting brackets. I had a local body shop give me an appraisal and then working with the underwriter and my agent I was able to get the insurace company to cut me a check directly. The check amount was enough to fund a front bumper, sliders, and a rear bumper built by a local fabricator.

 

[Derek24]

I hit a deer last summer in my Tundra. It bent the front bumper up some, but most of the hit was on my Waag pushbar. Insurance gave $2400. Let the insurance company added up the damage, if its anything like mine you'll have an ARB and alot of change left over!