2nd Gen Bumper Cut and Fuel Economy

[Cold Iron]

Hey just curious how much clearance you gained with the front bumper cut?

What r2m said, I left 1 1/4" from flush but feel it is enough to get me by in most situations. Besides what he mentioned there is cross angle clearance and that is a common gotcha with OEM length in uneven terrain.

Mine is a 19 that came from Texas got it last Nov. The underside of both side steps had scrapes and black asphalt embedded in them so they were my first focus for ground clearance. Not sure where the previous owners, an older couple, lived but they must have had some really big speed bumps. Ground clearance under the vehicle center which is the low hanging fruit waiting to be picked doesn't change until you put larger tires on of course which I also did.

 

[r2m]

Mine is a 19 that came from Texas got it last Nov... Not sure where the previous owners, an older couple, lived but they must have had some really big speed bumps.

What do they say about everything being bigger in Texas!

 

[dcs111]

Agreed, trim on the front would just catch anything you drove over.
I have it on the sides and with rock sliders. With the sliders being black and the trim black, you don't notice it on the sides.

Do you mean "clearance" or "approach angle"?
Approach (and departure) angle is usually the number you want to be as high as possible.
Or is that what you meant?

Well both… was not expecting anyone to pull their trig equations to sort out approach angle. Looking for how much ground
clearance was gained (or inches of trim removed) as measured from the nose to ground.

 

[r2m]

Well both… was not expecting anyone to pull their trig equations to sort out approach angle. Looking for how much ground
clearance was gained (or inches of trim removed) as measured from the nose to ground.

I guess, in short, anything you can take off the front valance and rear bumper should help a lot!
Don't forget to get rid of the side steps! You can get nice, almost stock looking rock sliders to replace them.
My wife really buckled the "steps" on her 100 series Landcruiser when she had when doing a little rock crawling run some years ago. They were all torn up.

 

[Cold Iron]

Well both… was not expecting anyone to pull their trig equations to sort out approach angle. Looking for how much ground
clearance was gained (or inches of trim removed) as measured from the nose to ground.

Like r2m and I said trimming the front bumper doesn't really add to ground clearance it is approach angle that improves. Ground clearance is measured to the lowest point on the vehicle which is the pumpkins, the rear is the lowest. Having the Lux I can lift it a couple of inches in the rear to help with that as long as I keep it below 15 mph which if I am looking for ground clearance I am. My days of hold my beer and watch this have long gone past in the rearview mirror, slow and steady as she goes is more my motto now.

With that said the cross angle approach with factory plastic is terrible. Here is a picture from on here with stock or what is left of it

Most people cut at the seam across I left 1 1/4" to give it more of a factory look. You can measure on yours to find the clearance gained by trimming. Not much level around here including my driveway so I never took measurements. And tires change ground clearance between vehicles unless they are the same diameter and mine are 31.7” OEM was 30.5”. Tires are really the only thing that increase ground clearance.

After removing the air dam and valance I believe the radiator\transmission cooler now has increased air flow over stock. ATF TC temp will peak up to 220 briefly but normally runs less than 210 even towing up the hills and bluffs here. Same as without towing. So I am having second thoughts about installing the ATF cooler sitting in the garage as it adds 2 more hoses and something else to go wrong down the road. Not sure I will gain much by installing it and leaning more toward just keeping the ATF clean with drain and fills. But it doesn't get that hot here in the summer it may hit 80° by the end of next week though.

 

[Khione]

Like r2m and I said trimming the front bumper doesn't really add to ground clearance it is approach angle that improves. Ground clearance is measured to the lowest point on the vehicle which is the pumpkins, the rear is the lowest. Having the Lux I can lift it a couple of inches in the rear to help with that as long as I keep it below 15 mph which if I am looking for ground clearance I am. My days of hold my beer and watch this have long gone past in the rearview mirror, slow and steady as she goes is more my motto now.

With that said the cross angle approach with factory plastic is terrible. Here is a picture from on here with stock or what is left of it

Most people cut at the seam across I left 1 1/4" to give it more of a factory look. You can measure on yours to find the clearance gained by trimming. Not much level around here including my driveway so I never took measurements. And tires change ground clearance between vehicles unless they are the same diameter and mine are 31.7” OEM was 30.5”. Tires are really the only thing that increase ground clearance.

After removing the air dam and valance I believe the radiator\transmission cooler now has increased air flow over stock. ATF TC temp will peak up to 220 briefly but normally runs less than 210 even towing up the hills and bluffs here. Same as without towing. So I am having second thoughts about installing the ATF cooler sitting in the garage as it adds 2 more hoses and something else to go wrong down the road. Not sure I will gain much by installing it and leaning more toward just keeping the ATF clean with drain and fills. But it doesn't get that hot here in the summer it may hit 80° by the end of next week though.

Hey Cold Iron (and others). After an unfortunate “approach angle incident” in the CO Flat Tops, I find myself with a new OEM front bumper on my < 1 year old GX. Decided to go with OEM again over aftermarket as I have no intention of lifting it (my off-roading is limited to “blue” trails at most and it’s used primarily as a highway vehicle). At the same time, I have no desire to repeat the time and expense of replacing the bumper again. So I’m seriously considering a bumper chop. My only hesitation in doing so is having the corners “unsupported”. Cold Iron, I think you said that you had some sort of supports fabricated to address that. Would you mind sharing some pictures and details of the design? Also, I’m about to pull the trigger on some Expedition One sliders. Powder coated tops like yours to match my black TRD wheels like yours. Any regrets on your purchase of the same? Thanks!

 

[r2m]

Hey Cold Iron (and others). After an unfortunate “approach angle incident” in the CO Flat Tops, I find myself with a new OEM front bumper on my < 1 year old GX. Decided to go with OEM again over aftermarket as I have no intention of lifting it (my off-roading is limited to “blue” trails at most and it’s used primarily as a highway vehicle). At the same time, I have no desire to repeat the time and expense of replacing the bumper again. So I’m seriously considering a bumper chop. My only hesitation in doing so is having the corners “unsupported”. Cold Iron, I think you said that you had some sort of supports fabricated to address that. Would you mind sharing some pictures and details of the design? Also, I’m about to pull the trigger on some Expedition One sliders. Powder coated tops like yours to match my black TRD wheels like yours. Any regrets on your purchase of the same? Thanks!

You could do something like this that'll increase approach angle, offer protection and be discrete. You don't need to add the winch.

Lexus GX460 Aluminum Front Bumper | Evolution Series Blitz | 2014-2023 - Victory 4x4

Offering quality steel and aluminum goods for Toyota and Lexus 4x4s.

www.victory4x4.com

 

[Cold Iron]

Hey Cold Iron (and others). After an unfortunate “approach angle incident” in the CO Flat Tops, I find myself with a new OEM front bumper on my < 1 year old GX. Decided to go with OEM again over aftermarket as I have no intention of lifting it (my off-roading is limited to “blue” trails at most and it’s used primarily as a highway vehicle). At the same time, I have no desire to repeat the time and expense of replacing the bumper again. So I’m seriously considering a bumper chop. My only hesitation in doing so is having the corners “unsupported”. Cold Iron, I think you said that you had some sort of supports fabricated to address that. Would you mind sharing some pictures and details of the design? Also, I’m about to pull the trigger on some Expedition One sliders. Powder coated tops like yours to match my black TRD wheels like yours. Any regrets on your purchase of the same? Thanks!

Flat bar stock simple and cheap, and stout it isn't going anywhere if it is a whole lot more is going with it as well. Left 1" all the way around on the bumper from the "seam" at top.

Both corners like this

Center

You will need a radiator skid plate once you remove the lower bumper. Cheapest is Go North Offroad on Facebook. And it is quality I originally wanted it powder coated but ended up with unfinished. I can live with it.

Very happy with the Expo One sliders, extremely. The ATW3 throw certain sized rocks badly and hit it so was wondering if it had chipped the PC so when I climbed under it today took a look and they are still perfect.

If you want the solid black look then you need to order or source Black Oxide 1/4-20 x 3/4" Button Head Socket Cap Bolts Screws. I purchased 2 boxes from Amazon to complete it.

Spent a week in the Sunset Country of Ontario 2 weeks ago and now in the Mn. Arrowhead on the Canada border chasing little brown birds with the dog and a friend. Happy as hell with the GX and how I configured it, if I had to do it all over again I'd do the exact same things.

 

[Khione]

Flat bar stock simple and cheap, and stout it isn't going anywhere if it is a whole lot more is going with it as well. Left 1" all the way around on the bumper from the "seam" at top.

Both corners like this

Center

You will need a radiator skid plate once you remove the lower bumper. Cheapest is Go North Offroad on Facebook. And it is quality I originally wanted it powder coated but ended up with unfinished. I can live with it.

Very happy with the Expo One sliders, extremely. The ATW3 throw certain sized rocks badly and hit it so was wondering if it had chipped the PC so when I climbed under it today took a look and they are still perfect.

If you want the solid black look then you need to order or source Black Oxide 1/4-20 x 3/4" Button Head Socket Cap Bolts Screws. I purchased 2 boxes from Amazon to complete it.

Spent a week in the Sunset Country of Ontario 2 weeks ago and now in the Mn. Arrowhead on the Canada border chasing little brown birds with the dog and a friend. Happy as hell with the GX and how I configured it, if I had to do it all over again I'd do the exact same things.

Thanks for the pics! Sounds like a great way to spend a week. I’m going to start with 265/70r17s next week, then expo ones and maybe a ss budbuilt front skid in the spring, then TBD on bumper cut, depending on how she rides on moderate trails with those mods.

 

[jdam]

Hey Cold Iron (and others). After an unfortunate “approach angle incident” in the CO Flat Tops, I find myself with a new OEM front bumper on my < 1 year old GX. Decided to go with OEM again over aftermarket as I have no intention of lifting it (my off-roading is limited to “blue” trails at most and it’s used primarily as a highway vehicle). At the same time, I have no desire to repeat the time and expense of replacing the bumper again. So I’m seriously considering a bumper chop. My only hesitation in doing so is having the corners “unsupported”. Cold Iron, I think you said that you had some sort of supports fabricated to address that. Would you mind sharing some pictures and details of the design? Also, I’m about to pull the trigger on some Expedition One sliders. Powder coated tops like yours to match my black TRD wheels like yours. Any regrets on your purchase of the same? Thanks!

I also drove mine into a rock lol. I didn't support mine, and while the fog lights probably rattle a bit I haven't noticed anything about the bumper pulling back or anything. I just have long zipties holding the fender liners tight in the front and that's it.

 

[Thed351W]

Victory Blitz bumper, 275/65R18 tires, lift, rock sliders, and ditch lights.

None of those were even a blip on the radar for fuel economy compared to the LFD crossbars. Those things killed it more than all the others combined by a pretty wide margin. Solid 2 MPG.

 

[Cold Iron]

Victory Blitz bumper, 275/65R18 tires, lift, rock sliders, and ditch lights.

None of those were even a blip on the radar for fuel economy compared to the LFD crossbars. Those things killed it more than all the others combined by a pretty wide margin. Solid 2 MPG.

Yeah nothing kills MPG like messing with the roof. Years ago I put crossbars on my Xterra rack and lost 2 MPG they came off pretty quickly. In addition to catching every tree limb on every trail.

Friend of mine is a retired 2 star (upper half) admiral and drives a Yukon 3500 diesel, long distances. He has a rooftop carrier box and even with the diesel drops 2-3 MPG. I can drop mine even more and come to close to single digits by towing the buggy doesn't matter if it is configured for sporting clays or the dog box it drops a lot but not near as much as my Taco did.

It is still a brick pulling a brick LOL

 

[r2m]

Yeah nothing kills MPG like messing with the roof. Years ago I put crossbars on my Xterra rack and lost 2 MPG they came off pretty quickly. In addition to catching every tree limb on every trail.

Friend of mine is a retired 2 star (upper half) admiral and drives a Yukon 3500 diesel, long distances. He has a rooftop carrier box and even with the diesel drops 2-3 MPG. I can drop mine even more and come to close to single digits by towing the buggy doesn't matter if it is configured for sporting clays or the dog box it drops a lot but not near as much as my Taco did.

It is still a brick pulling a brick LOL

I bet your Admiral buddy still gets better MPG with his carrier box and all, diesel than you not pulling anything at all.

 

[Cold Iron]

I bet your Admiral buddy still gets better MPG with his carrier box and all, diesel than you not pulling anything at all.

Hell and add in towing a boat from Wi. to Canada LOL. At least compared to my average MPG with town driving mixed in.

 

[HVLA]

Yeah nothing kills MPG like messing with the roof. Years ago I put crossbars on my Xterra rack and lost 2 MPG they came off pretty quickly. In addition to catching every tree limb on every trail.

Friend of mine is a retired 2 star (upper half) admiral and drives a Yukon 3500 diesel, long distances. He has a rooftop carrier box and even with the diesel drops 2-3 MPG. I can drop mine even more and come to close to single digits by towing the buggy doesn't matter if it is configured for sporting clays or the dog box it drops a lot but not near as much as my Taco did.

It is still a brick pulling a brick LOL

4 seat KRX on 18 foot trailer KILLS my mpg.

 

[suitcase]

I also tagged my front bumper on a rock. I was following a buddy in his modded out LC and my 460 was stock except for tires. My progression was 265/70/17 Wildpeaks -> bumper trim -> sliders -> CBI Covert bumper -> 2" lift. I drove it around unlifted for the better part of a year waiting for the lift to arrive. I didn't notice too much of a drop in mpg. If I was conservative, I could still get 19mpg highway or very close to it. The lift lopped off maybe 1 - 1.5 mpg. The biggest hit is sticking stuff on the roof. I have the flush roof rails and put on/take off my old Yakima roof rack as needed for road trips. Gear on the roof drops the mpg to around 15 mpg. I wanted to get a more permanent roof rack, but after seeing how much of an mpg hit there is, I'm holding off for now.