Rear Bumper Ideas?

[benjawi4]

In an effort to identify, remove, and treat as much rust as possible this weekend (on the hundy I bought in MN...yes, I know...next time), I removed the rear bumper. Although it looks naked and awkward, I kind of love how much more clearence I have, or atleast appear to have. With the mechanical repairs I'm currently having done, I can't afford to shell out another $1K on a rear bumper from any of the obvious players (ARB, Slee, BIO, etc).

Does anyone have any ideas of how to make the naked rear end of the hundy more aesthetically pleasing, without merely putting back the fat and ugly OEM bumper, and without spending $1,000 to $1,500 on a bonafide aftermarket bumper? I don't need the extra clearence or strength of an aftermarket bumper as 98% of my driving is strictly highway, I just love how my rig currently looks, without the bulging rear end of the stock bumper.

Any suggestions or thoughts at all would be great. Really just looking for ideas to play with.

Thanks friends,
Ben

 

[CLEcruiser]

You ever come up with any ideas?

 

[uzj100]

I need this as well.

We had this one on the race 80.

I think something similar with the body panels behind the tubes painted black could work. And bolted into the 4 holes in the center of the rear bumper. I will draw some pictures tonight.

 

[Ben S]

Wish I could find it but somewhere in the 100 forum, someone cut down and painted black the stock plastic. I thought it looked pretty damn good. If I can source a cheap replacement, I’ll try it as well

 

[I Lean]

Wish I could find it but somewhere in the 100 forum, someone cut down and painted black the stock plastic. I thought it looked pretty damn good. If I can source a cheap replacement, I’ll try it as well

It was @2000UZJ , in this post: What have you done to your 100 Series this week?

 

[Ayune]

And a few more pics of @2000UZJ ’s mod:

Looking for less expensive rear bumper

I can't seem to find a NON-$1000+ rear bumper for my '00 LX. Nothing fancy. No swingouts. Just a good steel bumper to replace stock plastic cover. Do they exist for around $500-600 ??

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[uzj100]

And a few more pics of @2000UZJ ’s mod:

Looking for less expensive rear bumper

I can't seem to find a NON-$1000+ rear bumper for my '00 LX. Nothing fancy. No swingouts. Just a good steel bumper to replace stock plastic cover. Do they exist for around $500-600 ??

forum.ih8mud.com

I would like that exact bumper in steel.

 

[ERMB]

I would like that exact bumper in steel.

same here, but with an integrated hitch receiver

 

[uzj100]

yes, integrated hitch. I think that could be accomplished by replacing the rear cross with the rear cross member from 05 forward LX470 that had an integrated hitch.

Also, I want tubing that protects under the sides like this gladiator bumper and can be used as a step.

 

[ERMB]

yes, integrated hitch. I think that could be accomplished by replacing the rear cross with the rear cross member from 05 forward LX470 that had an integrated hitch.

Also, I want tubing that protects under the sides like this gladiator bumper and can be used as a step.

View attachment 1944981

Its funny I've actually been thinking about that lately. I have a 2002 and I guess in 2003 they changed the crossmember to include the opening just not the hitch itself. I feel as though some of these steel plate bumper designers could have a pretty decent marketplace if they could come up with something that worked for or could be marketed as "Light" off-road. Without the over engineering for rock crawling, using a minimalist bolt- on approach might appeal to a whole new group of enthusiasts.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Its funny I've actually been thinking about that lately. I have a 2002 and I guess in 2003 they changed the crossmember to include the opening just not the hitch itself. I feel as though some of these steel plate bumper designers could have a pretty decent marketplace if they could come up with something that worked for or could be marketed as "Light" off-road. Without the over engineering for rock crawling, using a minimalist bolt- on approach might appeal to a whole new group of enthusiasts.

@Kavik has that approach for the front bumper, not sure if he's got anything in the works for a rear bumper


Another thing to note, local offroad fab shops could easily build you what you want and work with you to hit your price point. Might be worth a few calls.

 

[uzj100]

Its funny I've actually been thinking about that lately. I have a 2002 and I guess in 2003 they changed the crossmember to include the opening just not the hitch itself. I feel as though some of these steel plate bumper designers could have a pretty decent marketplace if they could come up with something that worked for or could be marketed as "Light" off-road. Without the over engineering for rock crawling, using a minimalist bolt- on approach might appeal to a whole new group of enthusiasts.

My 04 cross member does not have the hole for the hitch.

I want the corner tubing to be able to support the weight of the truck. I do not want a tire carrier with a big rear over hang.

The rear corners always hit and hit hard.

 

[ERMB]

@Kavik has that approach for the front bumper, not sure if he's got anything in the works for a rear bumper


Another thing to note, local offroad fab shops could easily build you what you want and work with you to hit your price point. Might be worth a few calls.

I actually do have a local guy that's active here on the forum @RDC76 , but his architectural metal work has taken off lately. Cant remember the last time I saw him working on a bumper, but it might be worth it to hit him up and ask a few questions.

My 04 cross member does not have the hole for the hitch.

I want the corner tubing to be able to support the weight of the truck. I do not want a tire carrier with a big rear over hang.

The rear corners always hit and hit hard.

I noticed the other day 4x4labs bumper with no swingouts is around 1100. Then there's also Dissents no cut bumper for 1400. I just think I'm looking for something a little less hardcore. I had a Tacoma previously and many of the fab companies had regular bumpers and also high clearance bumpers. I don't necessarily need all the protection an HC bumper offers but would like something different than stock with an integrated hitch for added clearance.

 

[bamabrock]

My 04 cross member does not have the hole for the hitch.

I want the corner tubing to be able to support the weight of the truck. I do not want a tire carrier with a big rear over hang.

The rear corners always hit and hit hard.

My '04 LX does.

 

[customcruiser]

My '04 LX does also

 

[changingground]

As does mine. In fact, I got the hitch for it, and set it up last weekend.

This thread did raise a question in my feeble mind- Since I have a rated hitch in the structural metal of the stock bumper, would it be possible to fab up some attachments for the steel structure, not diminish the capacity of the hitch attachment, and give a cleaner look, better departure angle, and minimally improved impact protection (I have welding and fabrication skills)? Anyone have a picture of the rear structural steel without the plastic skin over it? I thought I saw one floating around, but cannot find it now.

 

[Ayune]

Since I have a rated hitch in the structural metal of the stock bumper...

Are you talking about the pintle attachment point? I don't think that attachment point is rated for heavy towing.

Hitch Receiver, OEM Through Bumper

I'd love to install a hitch receiver on my 2003 Land Cruiser. I don't like the after market bolt on options as they reduce ground clearance too much. The aftermarket bumpers are great and include the receiver, but too expensive. From searching I found the Toyota bolt on receiver, 51990-60010...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[changingground]

Sorry, I looked and can’t find any tech details that indicate that is not intended for typical class 2 towing demands. Do you have a link?

 

[Ayune]

Well shoot, the owners manual (from a 2005 LX) seems to imply the in-bumper hitch is rated to the full vehicle towing capacity, or 5000 lbs. This is news to me and likely many others who have posted otherwise...

I've attached the relevant pages from the owners manual below.

 

[knewstance]

Is there any way these could fit on an older LC? I know the newer LXs had/have them. I think removing the large hitch and replacing it with something like this would be cool.