Builds Romer's 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road

[Romer]

I installed an ARB Rear Bumper on my Tacoma

No instructions come in the box. Fortunately when I ordered it I was able to get a PDF file from the Toyota (attached)

The instructions say you need to order a new wire harness from Toyota, which I did. The clips and retainers are all layed out to the ARB design.

The bumper comes with 4 new Sonar sensors. You do reuse your Blind Spot Monitor sensors (Corner sensors above bumper)

The only issue I had was after I was done, the Parking assist was disabled for front and rear. Everything else going through the harness seems to work; lights and Blind Mode sensors

The instructions tell the tech to perform a Parking sesnor calibration and I don't have that capability.

Searching the internet I didn't find anything about my issue. I asked a person on here if the shop who installed his bumper recalibrated the sensors and he told me that they sent it to the dealer to register and calibrate them.

I reached out to the Toyota Dealer I bought the bumper from and he confirmed with the lead service tech that the system goes into open loop until they program them.

I will be taking it to the dealer on Tuesday to have that done.

I had two questions before I ordered it
1) Will the bumper be heavy enough to cause any droop on the rear? The answer is no, it measured the same before and after
2) Do I need to order the new harness? I likely could have made the stock harness and parking sensors work, but I didnt try

The other aftermarket rear bumpers reuse the existing sensors and harness and likely could have done that here. I did remove the stock harness and sensors from the old bumper in case I need them for troubleshooting. I could plug the 4 old sensors in and connect it to the truck to see if the parking sensors work again, but will follow through on the Toyota Calibration

One other note, I bought this stand on Amazon to remove and replace an Aux fuel tank in my Land Cruiser (pictured). Once the bumper was complete on my work bench, I transfred it to this stand and worked it into place. It made it easy for one person to install it

Very happy with the robustness of the design. I wish I knew ahead of time using the new sensors required calibration as I may have played with the old sensors before fully assembling the bumper. Not sure if they would have fit and stock has different sensors center vs outer. The ARB 4 sensors are all the same and the same as the stock center ones. I am sure I will be happy in the end to have used the new sensors and harness

 

[coldtaco]

Nice, was wondering if this was available. Do you have the part numbers?

 

[Romer]

ARB Rear Bumper PT989-3524B

The wire harnness depends on your truck. Those part numbers are in the install manual posted above

 

[coldtaco]

thanks

 

[Romer]

Two dealers wanted almost $600 to Calibrate the sensors on the ARB Rear Bumper

So I went another path that does not require calibration.

The ARB Bumper comes with all new sensors, all 4 the same part number

The stock bumper uses the same sensors in the center, but different at the ends

The Parking Assist feature is off because it does not recognize the new sensors or at least the two at the ends that are different part numbers at least that is my theory.

I took the bumper off and partially disassembled so I could swap the sensors with the stock ones in the stock locations.

Now everything works as it should. If there is a difference in the sensitivity or angle detection, I can’t tell the difference from the drivers seat

The bottom line is for these Rear ARB bumpers, if you use the set of new sensors, Calibration is required or it won’t work. If you use the stock sensors, then the systems all work fine.

 

[kcjaz]

When I picked up my truck in July I called Slee (Ben and Christo were out). I was told they didn't have their truck and nothing was in the pipeline yet. I talked to Christo in April and let him know I would be buying sliders in July. He wasn't sure if he would have anything. I researched the Various Taco products for the 2024 and there were quite a few. I settled on the CBI Step Sliders
View attachment 3741112View attachment 3741113

I compared the clearance height to my 200
200
View attachment 3741115
Taco - Stock Off Roaad Suspension
View attachment 3741116

My new Offroad is coming with aluminum steps which I don't want so I started Googling sliders and Slee and Dissent don't have anything yet and I started leaning CBI. I was about to post a general slider question to see who's done what but decided to check Ken's build thread first....

I think I will go CBI. @Romer did you consider kickouts at all? I'd like to see a pic before I ordered though. Also did you go DOM or HREW?

 

[Romer]

My new Offroad is coming with aluminum steps which I don't want so I started Googling sliders and Slee and Dissent don't have anything yet and I started leaning CBI. I was about to post a general slider question to see who's done what but decided to check Ken's build thread first....

I think I will go CBI. @Romer did you consider kickouts at all? I'd like to see a pic before I ordered though. Also did you go DOM or HREW?

I looked over all that were out there and picked CBI DOM Overland Bolt on sliders. I guess somee of those had kick outs,never been a big fan. No reason just preference.

 

[Romer]

I just got the warranty book from Toyota. Worthwhile getting to keep in the glove box. All the contact info you need and a member card for Roadside service. You have to call Toyota and request it based on Troy's note to me

"It turns out that Toyota discontinued sending out what they’re calling “welcome packages” and neglected to inform their dealers (or their customer service reps). You can still request it though, you would just have to call TFS at 800-228-8559 and confirm your mailing address and they will send it out."

 

[kcjaz]

Hey, @Romer, did you do any kind of lift? Eric's trying to talk me into some Wescott pucks. He also wants me to do 34's. My brain says no but I'm weak...

 

[Romer]

I would stay away from Wescott pucs or any pucs for that matter. They really make the ride harder. Don't do it. Your compressing the spring and has less travel.

I am planning on doing this set of springs. They work with the existing shocks

Alldogs Offroad Spacer Eraser Coil Spring Lift Kit for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma

www.alldogsoffroad.com

 

[kcjaz]

I would stay away from Wescott pucs or any pucs for that matter. They really make the ride harder. Don't do it. Your compressing the spring and has less travel. Its what is called a Bro mod

I am planning on doing this. They work with the existing shocks

Alldogs Offroad Spacer Eraser Coil Spring Lift Kit for 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma

www.alldogsoffroad.com

Not sure I totally understand how you’re compressing the springs with adding pucks. Maybe on the front due to the fact that the upper and lower control arm pivot points are not changing but the top of the strut is lower so I guess that would compress the spring some. For the rear on a solid axle I don’t see how you’re compressing the spring. Still though I agree the right way to do. It is with different springs.

 

[Romer]

maybe a semmantics thing

The collar raises the lower point on the shock for the spring. It makes the spring stiffer using that to increase the lift. To me that is compressing the spring to then achieve thee lift

 

[Romer]

I just added the Alldogs springs

I did not want to spend thousands of dollars on a new lift. I liked these because they allowed me to lift my truck without changing control arms or shocks.

Before

After

Before and After alignment and lift deltas

 

[Romer]

Let’s talk Front Bumpers

I noticed there are very few full width bumpers like a bull bar even without the bar for the Tacoma.

I had an ARB Front Bumper on pre-order, but may cancel.

There are lots of front bumpers that only replace the middle section.

I did not see a lot of value in these so I asked R4T what is the advantage of these. Primarily recovery points and housing a winch along with some front end protection

I am use to the full width bumpers that provide better clearance and protection. They have provided clearance to me on my Land Cruisers to come at an incline at an angle and walk one tire up and then the 2nd would catch.

They also have provided great front end protection. My daughter was at a red light in my 80 series and two cars hit each other in the intersection and smacked into my 80 on the corner. My 80 had no damage and only a paint scratch on the bumper. The cars has dents all the way down where they smacked against the bumper.

Also from wheeling, most of the dings have been in the corner. The skid plates provide protection for rocks hitting the underside.

I looked at the instructions to install the Tundra Zenith front bumper and they are very complicated. Lots of parts and pieces. It is likely a two day shop install which would be over $2K (my guess). One shop told me the first Tundra took them 4 days, but they expected follow on’s to be half of that

Sensors get moved and not sure if that requires recalibration. Moved sensors require harness extensions from the vender. Two dealers wanted $600 to recalibrate the rear parking sensors on my Rear ARB. I replaced them with the stock ones and everything works fine, but they are in similar spots. The front would move them farther out and there are more sensors so not as likely to work without recal, but maybe they will be just fine

This makes me think twice on getting a front full width bumper. I don’t plan on a winch right now, so I see no need to do the partial front. I just lifted my Tacoma and have 33” tires so maybe I should drive/wheel it and see how it goes. My 200 series Land Cruiser is still my primary wheeling vehicle so I would use that for the harder stuff. Still, I do like the on road protection of a full width bumper.

Throwing this out there for discussion. Maybe my thought process is flawed, maybe some front bumpers are much more simple than the ARB Zenith. Maybe there are benefits to the partial width/height front bumpers that seem prevalent ion the market

 

[taccruiser97]

I have an ARB on my 80. Living in SC Kansas, I have had several close calls with Deer, particularly in the fall. I am very comfortable having my ARB on the front, knowing it will minimize any damage to the front of my Cruiser the next time a deer zigs when I am slow to zag. Like you mentioned, I also have a full width ARB on my Wrangler which got backed into by a DUI in a Leadville gas station while wheeling the trails. Minor scratches to the LF corner, extensive damage to the drunk's car + a trip to jail for him. I may purchase a new Cruiser in the next year, and a full width bumper, ARB or a couple others, are certainly on my mods list, due to the above reasons. Nice Tacoma btw.

 

[coldtaco]

I think the only real advantage to the replace the middle is either to install a “hidden” winch or if you get the right ones, seems you can get the tow points farther forward and maybe higher off the ground. Otherwise I am with you and would prefer a full width bumper for when things go bump in the night. For me I don’t plan on doing anything for the front of mine since it’s relegated to city duty, unless we get a camper or boat some time later.

 

[kcjaz]

I have an ARB on my 80. Living in SC Kansas, I have had several close calls with Deer, particularly in the fall. I am very comfortable having my ARB on the front, knowing it will minimize any damage to the front of my Cruiser the next time a deer zigs when I am slow to zag. Like you mentioned, I also have a full width ARB on my Wrangler which got backed into by a DUI in a Leadville gas station while wheeling the trails. Minor scratches to the LF corner, extensive damage to the drunk's car + a trip to jail for him. I may purchase a new Cruiser in the next year, and a full width bumper, ARB or a couple others, are certainly on my mods list, due to the above reasons. Nice Tacoma btw.

I’m in KS too and drive through Missouri almost every weekend and have hit 3 deer. The last deer was with my TJM full bumper with full hoops. Killed deer, no damage to truck. Deer before that one (w/o TJM) took out front of the 200 and was a $25K insurance claim.

I used to like the look of the old school full bar with hoops but now don’t think they look as good as some of the new modern bumpers but from a protection perspective, there’s nothing better. In addition to the last deer, I’ve also managed to hit some trees and rocks/ledges while wheeling that only caused scratches rather than broken plastic and head lights.

I also have the same experience as Ken in that a lot of my normal offloading dings and dents are on the corners so while I think a lot of the new bumpers look cool and are pretty, they’re not as functional as an old school full width bar with hoops. if I go aftermarket front bumper, I’ll have a hard time justifying anything that isn’t that for full animal strike protection. IMO, most aftermarket bumpers for Tacoma are form over function (if max protection is the main function).

For now, my 4 gen is a poser and sits in the garage as the ceramic coating cures…

 

[Romer]

My preordered ARB made it to the states, but hasn't shipped. I got a set of the install instructions and found out the bumper+ install+taxes would be over $5K. This included recalibration

I asked them to cancel the bumper since it hasnt shipped yet.

I don't plan on getting a winch and the 200 would wheel the hard trails. I like the bumper but don't LOVE the bumper. $5K would be OK if I thought that was the coolest thing. You know when you look back at your vehicle and go "that's cool" I wouldnt feel that way about that bumper.

So, flipping 180 degrees. No winch, no cutting getting some (not a lot) protection and better front recovery points there is this option. Doesnt touch the sensors and easy to install in a few hours. Not the full width protection I wanted, but with the work required for the sensors, this may be a good trade. Looks expensive, but it includes the front recovery hooks so just a little expensive

2024-Current Toyota Tacoma Front Hybrid Bumper — NYTOP

2024-Current (4th Gen) Toyota Tacoma Front Hybrid Bumper. Fits all trim levels. (Steel/Red in stock, ships within 1 week. All other versions estimated lead time 8-14 weeks.) Our 4th Gen Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Bumper is finished in wrinkled black powder coat, and TIG welded with 3/16 inch high-

nytop.com

 

[coldtaco]

Are there any pictures of the ARB bumper on a 4th gen taco? Might be google time

 

[Romer]

Are there any pictures of the ARB bumper on a 4th gen taco? Might be google time