best aftermarket bumper option for light touring

[SL404]

Hi folks, last weekend I ended up ripping my stock factory front bumper cover off my 100 and heavily damaged the rear bumper cover. I dont do any heavy off roading but mostly light touring and camping. I've never liked these flimsy, low hanging stock bumpers/covers and have always wanted to replace them, but I dont know about adding 300 lbs of weight to my truck in exchange.

I am familiar with most of the heavy duty off roading bumpers available, but wanted to know what you guys would suggest for a moderately priced, lighterweight touring bumper? I dont require a winch, but may mount some lights.

I have a real hard time paying $$ to replace the bumpers with factory ones!!! thanks in advance for your help and advice.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

How'd you manage to do that to both bumpers? If you can get them I think TJM makes the lightest duty bumper. Not sure what a "touring" bumper is.

 

[hoser]

IMO, TJM T3 Classique.

 

[pcut]

I've got the front and rear bumper covers from my '06 gold/tan TLC sitting in my garage. Come and get 'em!

 

[SL404]

well I bottomed out the front bumper which caused it to break at the two side mounting points, the rear I sideswiped a small tree with the corner which knocked it loose and ripped a hole in it. That one might be repairable, but the front bumper is trashed.

Who would be the best vender to use to order a TJM T3 Classique? It seems like they arent as available as some of the other products

thanks again for your replies

 

[hoser]

Slee Off-road carries TJM.

 

[lhommec13]

Slee Off-road carries TJM.

It says the TJM T3 Classique is for 2003-2007 but may fit other years with minor modifications. Anyone know how "minor" these modifications are? I need a new bumper for my 2002 LC and would prefer an inexpensive aftermarket bumper over stock OEM bumper.

 

[FlammableFishie]

It says the TJM T3 Classique is for 2003-2007 but may fit other years with minor modifications. Anyone know how "minor" these modifications are? I need a new bumper for my 2002 LC and would prefer an inexpensive aftermarket bumper over stock OEM bumper.

IIRC Slee's website has an install guide for it, which I believe includes the modifications necessary for install on earlier years. Don't quote me on any of this though cause I'm on my phone and don't feel like checking my facts

But I know that there're instructions somewhere and you'll definitely be able to find them!

 

[lhommec13]

IIRC Slee's website has an install guide for it, which I believe includes the modifications necessary for install on earlier years. Don't quote me on any of this though cause I'm on my phone and don't feel like checking my facts

But I know that there're instructions somewhere and you'll definitely be able to find them!

I saw those instructions on Slee's website, http://www.sleeoffroad.com/installation/UZJ100_front_bumper.pdf, but it isn't clear that these are the specific instructions for installing the TJM Classique T3 on a pre-2003 LC. In fact, the pictures used in the instructions show the BlueBerry bumper, which is specified to fit all 1998-2007 LC/LX models without modification. Perhaps the man himself (Christo) can chime in on this? Thanks for your help, Fishy!

 

[Rover4]

This guy fitted the TJM T3 to his '99.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/76209-tjm-t3-classique-ome-install-finally.html

Here's a pic of the T3 with the top hoop removed.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=8295069&postcount=7

I think your best bet would be to pick something off Slee's website.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/bumpers/front_bumpers_100series.htm

Another option might be the Axxis bumper. The unknown with Axxis is availability and product quality. Their website is dang hard to find, they don't advertise, and I don't know anyone who owns one.

http://www.axxisoffroad.com/1998-2007-UZJ100-LX470_c_26.html

 

[FlammableFishie]

Another option might be the Axxis bumper. The unknown with Axxis is availability and product quality. Their website is dang hard to find, they don't advertise, and I don't know anyone who owns one.

http://www.axxisoffroad.com/1998-2007-UZJ100-LX470_c_26.html

I saw a thread either on this forum, or the 80 series forum, asking about the Axxis bumpers and why they're so much cheaper than the more mainstream bumpers. I too had a hard time finding Axxis, and know nothing about their product, but there are a few red flags to me so I wouldn't buy one of their bumpers unless I saw it tested and proven. Too big of an investment to skimp on for me.

 

[lhommec13]

This guy fitted the TJM T3 to his '99.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/76209-tjm-t3-classique-ome-install-finally.html

Here's a pic of the T3 with the top hoop removed.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=8295069&postcount=7

I think your best bet would be to pick something off Slee's website.

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/products/bumpers/front_bumpers_100series.htm

Another option might be the Axxis bumper. The unknown with Axxis is availability and product quality. Their website is dang hard to find, they don't advertise, and I don't know anyone who owns one.

http://www.axxisoffroad.com/1998-2007-UZJ100-LX470_c_26.html

Thanks Rover! I actually like the T3 with the top hoop. Plus, insurance owes me for the bull bar that got smashed. Thing is, they can't find anything similar in their parts database so I'm instructed to go out and get it myself and show them the invoice for it for reimbursement. Of course they may object if and when I show them a $1000 invoice for the T3 but hopefully they'll pay me their "top" value for the part, whatever that should be.

 

[lhommec13]

Just ordered the TJM T3 through Ben over at Slee. Great guy! Now to get it installed in a couple weeks while the truck is in the shop for body repairs.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

I was just going to say TJM. But you already got it. Congrats!

One thing us with the heavy duty slee bumpers forget about, is wouldn't you rather the accessory fail rather than the vehicle? If you get into an accident with something as immovable as the slee bumper, the next weakest part will absorb the impact, which happens to be the 1/8" thick frame.

 

[phsycle]

I think I know what SL404 is talking about. I don't have a front bullbar, and hesitate to get one due to the extra heft it will add to the rig. I don't rock crawl, but would appreciate some extra clearance when on some of the (mild) trails around. I think a "lite" bullbar bumper option would be great for me. Something like what this FJ60 is sporting, but maybe even lighter gauge steel (and maybe a little prettier )