Which bumper?

Ok - looking for some opinions here. After tagging my rear quarter panel slightly at the gulches this weekend, I'm really wanting to get a rear bumper that will give some protection on the rear. I'm thinking of having a tube bumper similar to one of these two. Or a combination of the two perhaps. I think if I had one of these, I would have been able to continue and get up the rock ledge at Gulches, rather than having to get pulled away from the rock and back down it to keep from busting the tail light and denting the quarter panel any further. So which of these looks better? Obviously one is unfinished, but you get the idea....

Option 1


Option 2

i cant seem to open your first pic...fractured file...second pic is pretty coo though...

Yeah, first pic not showing. Second pic, I like, but its hard to see much...a couple more angles would really be good. Manufacturer? Cost?

i can see that in the second pic that the lower edges of the quarter panel is cut off the truck...they probably cut about 5 inches of it off so that the lower connections to the bumper can come straight out off the frame...

Option 1. Just needs a few more tubes. They tend to look (and probably are) stronger with the double row of tubing...

Like we usually see on older 4Runners....



This one has some good lines to it as well without all the cutting

I built this for a customer's 4RNR. All 1.5" & 1.25" X .188 wall DOM. I generally build these types of bumpers with a 1.5" X 2.5" X 1.88 wall additional cross member. The cross member ties into the receiver tube. Sides are

braced back to the sides of the frame.

iwashmycar wrote:

Option 1. Just needs a few more tubes. They tend to look (and probably are) stronger with the double row of tubing...

Like we usually see on older 4Runners....



This one has some good lines to it as well without all the cutting

I like these too.

there really isnt alot of difference in the two bumpers...other than the cutting of the quarters on the bed...the lines are pretty much the same...personally between the two i like option 2...besides it shows serious commitment to the truck by CUTTING that poop apart!!! woohooo.

Both options would require cutting the rear. I'm good with that though, as it would allow for the bars to go higher up on the side of the bed to better protect the tail light and more of the panel.

I like the other two pics Adam posted, but the protection is too low to offer good protection when you're approaching a tree off camber - which seems to be the usual case. I'm actually liking option 1 a bit better for that reason. But I agree it does need some more tubing to finish it off.

I also want to keep my stock hitch, so this would definitely need to be custom made since everyone seems to lose the stock hitch with their bumpers.

not that i think that you would even do it...but you could...and i mean COULD consider a body lift...doint that would possibly negate the cutting..i like both bumpers...and personally i would have a hard time choosing which one ...what do you have now for stock hitch? is it a drop hitch? or the bumper hitch? i cant remember what you have...either way its gonna have to be custom ...

both bumpers are based on the same mounts...just the lines are a bit different..obvioulsy the same truck with two ways of doing the same thing...

NCFJ1 wrote:

I built this for a customer's 4RNR. All 1.5" & 1.25" X .188 wall DOM. I generally build these types of bumpers with a 1.5" X 2.5" X 1.88 wall additional cross member. The cross member ties into the receiver tube. Sides are

braced back to the sides of the frame.

Hey where do I get one of those stickers? Do they come with a bumper? I didnt see one with mine?

bigdogdewey2 wrote:

not that i think that you would even do it...but you could...and i mean COULD consider a body lift...doint that would possibly negate the cutting..i like both bumpers...and personally i would have a hard time choosing which one ...what do you have now for stock hitch? is it a drop hitch? or the bumper hitch? i cant remember what you have...either way its gonna have to be custom ...

I don't mind cutting the quarter panels. I'd rather do that than raise my COG any more with no clearance benefits. I'm even thinking #2 with some hoops on the sides wouldn't be a bad choice either.

I just need something to keep me off that rock at the Gulches so I can get up it next time

one would get me vote b.c of more tubing for protection.

Yep - the only concern I have with #1 is that the tubing blocks the reverse lights. I would bet a donut it would fail NC inspection from that.

NC FJ Driver wrote:

NCFJ1 wrote:

I built this for a customer's 4RNR. All 1.5" & 1.25" X .188 wall DOM. I generally build these types of bumpers with a 1.5" X 2.5" X 1.88 wall additional cross member. The cross member ties into the receiver tube. Sides are

braced back to the sides of the frame.

Hey where do I get one of those stickers? Do they come with a bumper? I didnt see one with mine?

I only had 3 sets of those made, the red lit up like a reflector under head lights.

Stan - how long do you think you would need the truck to build a custom tube bumper?

It would be 3-4 days with the truck. I'd need the bumper longer than that.

What about that 4runner rear bumper, do you still have the design?

I still have the design, not a jig to build it in. I'd need the rig to build the bumper.

Okay I hear you, well maybe one day brother. It's a great looking bumper

I like Toy Outfitters bumper. But if I had to choose from pics 1 or 2. I would pick 1 with a slightly modified quarter panel top bar. Personally I am against cutting sheet metal from the quarter panel. A lot of work and expense to put it back stock if there was ever a reason. Also a bit of work to do the job right in the first place.
To cut several inches off of the quarter panel and not roll the edges for stiffness and to keep from slicing your hand every time you wash the truck takes some metal working skills to do a nice job. Then you will need to repaint that area to prevent rust from forming and eroding away even more metal. JMO

If I were to get a plate bumper - I like this one, which has the protection I need. Only problem is the dang weight. I'd hate to add yet another 150 lbs. to the truck.

Welp - I abandoned the tube bumper idea. In the end, I decided to go with a plate bumper with the receiver integrated. Figured gaining much needed ground clearance would be worth it in the end.

Going with this one, but without the tire carrier.

so when are you getting it..?? soon or what??