Got a TJM T13?

[Sand Lapper]

Good afternoon, gents!

Got a TJM T13 Outback bumper for the '99 and am very happy with it so far.

One thing I've noticed is that it doesn't quite fit flush to the body. I've got about an inch gap between the headlights and bumper, 3/4" or so between the grille and bumper, and maybe 1/2" on the sides.

Granted its made for an '03-'07 I didn't expect it would be perfect but I'd like for it to fit more closely.

Anybody have one of these on a '98-'02? How does yours fit? Any ideas appreciated!

 

[mcgaskins]

Good afternoon, gents!

Got a TJM T13 Outback bumper for the '99 and am very happy with it so far.

One thing I've noticed is that it doesn't quite fit flush to the body. I've got about an inch gap between the headlights and bumper, 3/4" or so between the grille and bumper, and maybe 1/2" on the sides.

Granted its made for an '03-'07 I didn't expect it would be perfect but I'd like for it to fit more closely.

Anybody have one of these on a '98-'02? How does yours fit? Any ideas appreciated!

That's the bumper I'm about to purchase when I figure out some stuff with my insurance company. I was the victim of a minor hit and run recently and I'm trying to get a little more from my insurance since it will be on my dime.

Did you install it yourself? Post up some pictures of the gap if you can so we can see what you mean.

 

[Sand Lapper]

Also, I would love to upload some pics of the bumper but every time I try it says I'm currently using too much space to store these 3 images I used a while back.

Dumb question, but how do I remove or delete these attachments so I can upload more?

I have the mobile app and a desktop

 

[jemsec]

Use a lower resolution and it will upload.

 

[Reverend]

Yep. I have the TJM13 on a '99. The gap bothered me for about 5 seconds. Maybe 7.

 

[OregonLC]

Is there no vertical adjustment on the TJM? The Ironman adjusts 9 ways to Sunday, up/down, in/out, and tilt.

 

[tabraha]

Yup mine has a bit of a gap. I thought about filling it but it just doesn't irk me enough to do it I guess. Love the bumper though!

 

[flood]

http://sleeoffroad.com/products/bumpers/tjm_t13_front.htm

Scroll down, there is a pic of the gap. It bothered me for about 5 seconds as well.

 

[paflytyer]

You want a gap there. It protects things from getting squished up when it flexes.

 

[bamachem]

Post up some pics of the bumper. Seriously considering one for my LX

 

[mgilvan]

Very cool. I always wondered how it would fit a 99, cause on slee’s web site it said from 03-07.
Put up a picture so we can see the gaps

 

[tabraha]

Here's a picture from about 4' away. I'll try to get some up close pics looking straight down on it. It's not that bad really from any normal distance. There has to be some gap there anyways as Stan said but it is on the larger side with the T13 on these years. Christo's picture looking down on the link above gives you a good feel for the gap.

 

[OregonLC]

Here's a picture from about 4' away. I'll try to get some up close pics looking straight down on it. It's not that bad really from any normal distance. There has to be some gap there anyways as Stan said but it is on the larger side with the T13 on these years. Christo's picture looking down on the link above gives you a good feel for the gap.

Honestly, that looks too tight to me. There's a lot of body flex. Are you not getting any rubbing from the bumper?

 

[OregonLC]

Just throwin' it out there... the Ironman is an handsome alternative to ARB/TJM. And it's priced better.

 

[hoser]

Somebody please refresh my memory, which of these have built in recovery points:
ARB (all models)......No
Ironman bullbar.... ?
TJM T13....?

 

[tabraha]

Honestly, that looks too tight to me. There's a lot of body flex. Are you not getting any rubbing from the bumper?

Nope no rubbing that I can tell. I'll try to get something closer up taken in a bit. The gap is probably close to 3/8" or 1/2" top to bottom on the side wings and maybe 1" at most under the headlights front to back and then ~1/2" front to back around the center of the grille.

hoser: No real recovery points on the T13. I'd be hesitant to use them even if it did. I still need to pick up the spressofab frame mounted ones. Only bumper I'd hook up to for pulling would be a blueberry personally.


ETA: decided I better just go outside and take pics now before I forget. Engineering scale was closest thing handy...

About 0.5" top to bottom on side wings, no rubbing, mud resting nicely on top as usual lol.



This is the biggest gap and what others are talking about, granted no one really looks this closely. (about 1"):



Super close up:

 

[G-Cat]

A guy with the Toyota Trail Riders had a well-built 4th Generation 4Runner with a color-matched ARB front bumper.

The bumper has a gap like the ones in the posted pictures.

He bought cheap, black pipe insulation at the hardware store, made a split down the middle, then "sandwiched" the top/inside edge of the bumper with it.

Trimmed to length it looked great and filled the gap between the bumper and the body nicely. (Probably 1-2" pipe insulation, not the stuff that looks like a pool noodle)

I asked him what it was and was shocked when he explained.

He said he replaces it every 6 months or so, but it looked really finished.

Not sure if that stuff soaks up water like a sponge or not...I suppose his Runner was garage-kept and Dallas isn't exactly Seattle when it comes to rain...when it comes to anything, really.

 

[tabraha]

I was going to go that route too or find some rubber trim in a McMaster catalog before it quit bothering me and I got lazy. Maybe one day I'll get motivated! I imagine it does enhance the fit/finish overall.

 

[hoser]

Tad, is your T13 identical to no-piston's T13?

https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=7915201&postcount=38

 

[tabraha]

Yup it has those but I would have a hard time making myself use them. I would if I had to of course but I just don't have alot of faith in bumper mounted recovery points (nothing against the TJM). They do look stout from what I can tell so I will give them that. First thing I noticed when looking into the T13 was that the literature had a spec for "rated recovery points" and it is listed as "no".

BUT looking back at things now Christo's bumpers are not rated either and I would not question their strength. (In no way would I compare the strength of this to the blueberry though, just a generalization about lack of ratings now that I think about it.)