Since my initial purchase of the truck, I knew I would need a bumper for the truck. The truck had the factory bumper and trim panels removed. My original goal was to replace the missing components. After sourcing all the needed parts from a LJ78, I did just that, and was very happy with fit and finish. Information on that process is captured in my build, starting on post #130.
After completing trips with my family, as well as using the truck for daily driving and work around the house, I identified three significant issues with the factory bumper.
1) The hitch receiver. The receiver can be a pain when loading/unloading the truck. I have no idea what it is rated to. I have zero complaints with its performance and have loaded it with Toyota’s recommended max for tongue weight and trailer load. At the time it was my best solution for a rear recovery point; when used with a 2” clevis shank. The idea that the receiver tube would likely be the failure point was scary albeit theoretical.
2) The factory bumper is not very robust. The OEM configuration of the rear bumper assembly is basically two steel c-channels dressed with aluminum and plastic. This is fine Most of the time. I did drag the bumper when on trails causing aesthetic damage.
3) I need more storage space. 2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog doesn’t leave much room for things-and-stuff.
My needs and wants changed over the course of two years while considering various offerings for the 70 series. Originally, I wanted a simple OEM-looking bar. I wanted a high-clearance receiver, rated recovery points, and total protection for the rear. At the time, I did not want swingouts for several reasons, the biggest being convenience. However, trips with my family really cemented how small the 77 is. A storage swing would help with this.
It’s nearly impossible to go wrong with any kit from a reputable builder/fabricator so long as the kit is used for its intended purpose. For me, balancing everything I needed and wanted from a rear bumper was the hardest part. I decided on the Kaymar bar PN: Kit76W-R-JCD. Note: “76W” in the PN. This specific bar is made for the 2007+ J76 Workmate. After long and frequent discussions with Ward Harris, doing research on frame differences between the J77 and J76, I decided to pull the trigger.
Why the Kaymar 76 bar?
It’s the only rear bar I could find which meet all my needs and wants. Feature-rich with exceptional integration and practicality. High-mounted receiver with rated tow bar, hi-lift points, rated recovery points, included auxiliary indicator lights, etcetera.
My personal thoughts and considerations: It’s the best bar you can get for the 77 currently.
It’s the only production bar I know of that offers complete protection for the rear quarters. I wouldn’t use the wings as a jack-point. BUT if I needed to, I could. Regardless, the bar has integral hi-lift points for safer jacking of the truck of needed.
The orientation of the jerry can bracket it worth heavy consideration. After fitting my ARB front bar, the overall length on my truck increased. Kaymar’s jerry can bracket lays flat against the back, reducing overall length of the truck. This allows my truck to still fit in my garage comfortably. Something others’ may consider given the number of ARB and “front porch” bumpers.
As mentioned earlier, I don’t like swings. Unfortunately for me they are a necessary evil. I think Kaymar did an incredible job on the swings, Much better than the swing on my 100 Series. In my opinion it’s the best constructed, most practical set up currently available.
Initial Impressions:
The bumper arrived packed by Kaymar and placed in a cardboard pallet (about 7x3x3ft). The individual pieces were wrapped in foam, small parts and hardware were wrapped and placed in a smaller box inside the pallet box. Zero damage was noted during unpacking. Worth noting, I’m a crunchy tree hugger, every packing piece was recyclable. I appreciated that. One complaint; Kaymar did not include hardcopy fitting instructions (FI). However, Ward probably knew this from experience as he sent me the link to the .pdf file during the order process.
I started removal of the LJ78 bumper and trim. I was pleasantly surprised the work I did installing it paid off as corrosion was not an issue. I laid main sections of bumper out to get an idea of what I was working with. More importantly, I need to gauge fitment and determine if this would be do-able with what I had on hand in my garage.
Fit was off by exactly 1mm. I am guessing that this was the result of Toyota and Kaymar manufacturing tolerance compounded by my previous work on the frame (paint build-up). With the bumper in rough position; I was able to determine all 10 primary bolt points should be plumb and square. Additionally, I determined I should not need to cut out the rear tool tub. This was the biggest question I needed answered as it’s the only difference between the J77 and J76 I could find on paper.
Note: This was taken with the left-side bumper bracket resting about 1 cm forward into the respective frame mounting surface.
Installation Phase 1:
I started by stripping down the rear of the truck. I removed all the bumper components, door components, and the tail lights. I prepped for the install and corrosion prevention/correction behind the tail lights, and pinch welds in the back. I also removed paint build up and applied por15 as appropriate on the frame. After doing this, the 1mm difference was corrected and the bumper slide in place with bumping from my palm.
After completing trips with my family, as well as using the truck for daily driving and work around the house, I identified three significant issues with the factory bumper.
1) The hitch receiver. The receiver can be a pain when loading/unloading the truck. I have no idea what it is rated to. I have zero complaints with its performance and have loaded it with Toyota’s recommended max for tongue weight and trailer load. At the time it was my best solution for a rear recovery point; when used with a 2” clevis shank. The idea that the receiver tube would likely be the failure point was scary albeit theoretical.
2) The factory bumper is not very robust. The OEM configuration of the rear bumper assembly is basically two steel c-channels dressed with aluminum and plastic. This is fine Most of the time. I did drag the bumper when on trails causing aesthetic damage.
3) I need more storage space. 2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog doesn’t leave much room for things-and-stuff.
My needs and wants changed over the course of two years while considering various offerings for the 70 series. Originally, I wanted a simple OEM-looking bar. I wanted a high-clearance receiver, rated recovery points, and total protection for the rear. At the time, I did not want swingouts for several reasons, the biggest being convenience. However, trips with my family really cemented how small the 77 is. A storage swing would help with this.
It’s nearly impossible to go wrong with any kit from a reputable builder/fabricator so long as the kit is used for its intended purpose. For me, balancing everything I needed and wanted from a rear bumper was the hardest part. I decided on the Kaymar bar PN: Kit76W-R-JCD. Note: “76W” in the PN. This specific bar is made for the 2007+ J76 Workmate. After long and frequent discussions with Ward Harris, doing research on frame differences between the J77 and J76, I decided to pull the trigger.
Why the Kaymar 76 bar?
It’s the only rear bar I could find which meet all my needs and wants. Feature-rich with exceptional integration and practicality. High-mounted receiver with rated tow bar, hi-lift points, rated recovery points, included auxiliary indicator lights, etcetera.
My personal thoughts and considerations: It’s the best bar you can get for the 77 currently.
It’s the only production bar I know of that offers complete protection for the rear quarters. I wouldn’t use the wings as a jack-point. BUT if I needed to, I could. Regardless, the bar has integral hi-lift points for safer jacking of the truck of needed.
The orientation of the jerry can bracket it worth heavy consideration. After fitting my ARB front bar, the overall length on my truck increased. Kaymar’s jerry can bracket lays flat against the back, reducing overall length of the truck. This allows my truck to still fit in my garage comfortably. Something others’ may consider given the number of ARB and “front porch” bumpers.
As mentioned earlier, I don’t like swings. Unfortunately for me they are a necessary evil. I think Kaymar did an incredible job on the swings, Much better than the swing on my 100 Series. In my opinion it’s the best constructed, most practical set up currently available.
Initial Impressions:
The bumper arrived packed by Kaymar and placed in a cardboard pallet (about 7x3x3ft). The individual pieces were wrapped in foam, small parts and hardware were wrapped and placed in a smaller box inside the pallet box. Zero damage was noted during unpacking. Worth noting, I’m a crunchy tree hugger, every packing piece was recyclable. I appreciated that. One complaint; Kaymar did not include hardcopy fitting instructions (FI). However, Ward probably knew this from experience as he sent me the link to the .pdf file during the order process.
I started removal of the LJ78 bumper and trim. I was pleasantly surprised the work I did installing it paid off as corrosion was not an issue. I laid main sections of bumper out to get an idea of what I was working with. More importantly, I need to gauge fitment and determine if this would be do-able with what I had on hand in my garage.
Fit was off by exactly 1mm. I am guessing that this was the result of Toyota and Kaymar manufacturing tolerance compounded by my previous work on the frame (paint build-up). With the bumper in rough position; I was able to determine all 10 primary bolt points should be plumb and square. Additionally, I determined I should not need to cut out the rear tool tub. This was the biggest question I needed answered as it’s the only difference between the J77 and J76 I could find on paper.
Note: This was taken with the left-side bumper bracket resting about 1 cm forward into the respective frame mounting surface.
Installation Phase 1:
I started by stripping down the rear of the truck. I removed all the bumper components, door components, and the tail lights. I prepped for the install and corrosion prevention/correction behind the tail lights, and pinch welds in the back. I also removed paint build up and applied por15 as appropriate on the frame. After doing this, the 1mm difference was corrected and the bumper slide in place with bumping from my palm.
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