Stock Bumpers - Paint or Rechrome?

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mmyton

mmyton

Joined
Nov 21, 2004
Threads
31
Messages
90
Location
San Juan Capistrano, CA
The stock bumpers on my 84 FJ60 are in decent shape, but the chrome has worn
down a bit. I was thinking of either having them both re-chromed or paint them black. I am trying to keep the truck as original as possible, but will be painting the grill and headlight doors black. Thought painted bumpers might look ok.

Does anyone know approximately how much a re-chrome would cost? If I go with the paint option, is there a recommmended durable paint I should use? Flat? I would assume that prep would similar to painting metal.

Thanks for any tips.
 
I think Durabak and Herculiner now have a smoother textured coating that you might like. They both come in all kinds of colors, but I assume you'd go with black. I know for a fact that Durabak will stick just fine to chrome or to the plastic grill, cause I've done both and so far, so good. Trying to paint chrome can be an effort in futility. But you can give it a try and if it doesn't work, go with a coating like Durabak.
 
There are a couple of companies that make a spray paint that is 'chrome", you might try that first.
 
I had a hard time stripping the chrome off a mini truck bumper and I think my cruiser has even better chrome. It can be done and then you could paint or chrome. Paint could be real cool easy to touch up and you could do some different color schemes. If you are interrested I have a rear bumper with good chrome I'll sell cheap. I think paint or powder coat and a new paint scheme just to be different.
 
majanrk said:
I didn't see a throw away option. Stock bumpers aren't worth the time and effort. Tin Foil.
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Have to agree with majanrk - OEM bumpers are damage multipliers. A mildly hard hit and they fold into the nearest sheet metal.

Now for the black thing, majanrk has a way-cool hood paint job that I hope to copy at some point...
 
majanrk said:
I didn't see a throw away option. Stock bumpers aren't worth the time and effort. Tin Foil.
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:D

I would say powdercoat if you really want to paint your stock bumper (but then it's not stock! :D )

Why not take that money and throw it toward a local welder making you a good, strong replacement? :cool:
 
Trying to keep the overall original look (to the truck) as much as possible. I agree that the bumpers aren't the best. Are there aftermarket bumbers available that are stronger and look similar?

Thanks
 
mmyton said:
Trying to keep the overall original look (to the truck) as much as possible.
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Why? Anyone who buys, modifies and then 'wheels a TLC shouldn't be thinking about resale. Sorry, but that's just the way it is. If consideration of buying some vintage TLC is as a classic that will appreciate in value, you'd do better with another make/model.
 
mmyton

i am searching for a winch bumper that goes "ontop" or over the stock bumper. the winch bumper mounts to frame, goes over/around stock bump, and usually is only in the middle "grill area" with a winch mount. some have brush bars for the lights.

http://www.urbanlandcruisers.com/gallery/ICBM 2004/pages/IMG_2441.html

sent a email to warn and this is the responce i got, i know they make one for the older tacoma

""George,

Sorry to tell you we do not have any bumpers for your FJ60, not sure who is making a kit for that vehicle any longer.

Aaron Hall
Warn Customer Service
800-543-9276 x3093"""
 
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I rechromed mine for $220 each

My FJ40 is for the dirt and dunes and I am putting some money in refurbishing the 88 FJ62 for a daily driver so I wanted the stock look.

I looked into buying new OEM versions and some straightened bumpers from CCOT - all are expensive. Tried ebay too but was always outbid.

Both of mine looked like pretzels. I found a local Atlanta-area bumper jobber that straightened and rechromed both of them for $220 each. Still expensive but they look great.
 
Thanks for the info. I like your username (Codylabrador). As you can see by my avatar, I have a black labrador ... named Cody....

- Marc
 
Carpe Discus said:
No offense, but to each his own. A lot of people like 60's for the way they look. Like it or not, the bumper contributes to the look.
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Fair enough...I forget sometimes that folks like 60s "just because." Form doesn't always need to follow function.
 
Cruisergreg said:
Fair enough...I forget sometimes that folks like 60s "just because." Form doesn't always need to follow function.
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...but as for me, I don't really care. Stock, not--whatever floats your boat. My stock bumpers are fine, but if I had money and wheeled more I might replace them.
 
Get a 4x12 and bolt it on. Wood is good, and it's cheaper than anything else out there, w/ maybe the only exception being styrafoam.........Actually find out how much to re-chrome it from a local shop, and compare it to a used set of bumpers. Advantage of re-chroming it is if done right it'll last just as long as the originals if not longer. Good luck.
 
You know, I've personally considered that. A wood bumper must be a lot weaker than a steel one for the same strength, right? I've thought about it most in the context of a wood roof rack. Would it have to be too heavy/create too much drag given how strong it has to be?

I have read that wood is stronger than steel weight-for-weight, but that's only for certain types of load it seems.
 
Wood bumper

As far as the wood bumper is concerned. I, for some reason have had some experience in this area. I couple of years ago my freinds bumper fell off (ahem,ripped off) his old honda civic. The replacement bumper was way over priced so we got ourselves a log about six inches in diameter, left the bark on it and bolted er' right to the old bumper mounts with some carriage bolts. It took little modifiying (hatcheting) to get the hatch to close and presto, a Civic with a log for a bumper! It looked hilarious and got a lot of wierd looks but it worked great and he could ram into things that, well, tore his old bumper off, with positive results. Yeah, wood is ghetto but I think it can add a nice touch to the right beater.
 
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