You got a 3rd Gen Limited Front/Rear Bumper?

[demoj]

I am thinking about starting a bumper build that uses the stock bumper as a initial design template or backbone. If anyone has one laying about I would love to take a look, take it off your hands, trade etc...

You know, because my life is not on fire and I need something else to do.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

I don't have a limited bumper set, afaik, there a bit harder to get your hands on.
But if you want, you can have my SR5 bumpers for free, you'll just have to build it a bit wider in the end.

 

[demoj]

Thanks! wider vehicle width wise or wider/longer "duck bill" style? I would think that the mounting points are the same?

Quantum- particle physics
Kiwi- New Zelander
Are you a scientist from New Zeland?

 

[Mauser]

Quantum- particle physics
Kiwi- New Zelander
Are you a scientist from New Zeland?

Hahaha.
I have wondered the same thing.

 

[lurch]

You could take your bumper off and measure
Rear you’re going to want to use the bolt holes for the tow package. Both front and rear will have extra bits you’ll remove when upgrading.
Also I’d start with sliders and then start building some rock sliders...
My 0.02

 

[demoj]

Part of the idea is building on the actual bumper. The other part of the idea is I am lazy. Another part of the idea is I am slow and would be driving around for months with no bumper. The final part of the idea is I am also stupid and should just buy a bumper.

Sigh.

 

[pappy]

The final part of the idea is I am also stupid and should just buy a bumper.

That is not being stupid. That is probably the most intelligent thing you have said.

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Thanks! wider vehicle width wise or wider/longer "duck bill" style? I would think that the mounting points are the same?

Quantum- particle physics
Kiwi- New Zelander
Are you a scientist from New Zeland?

Hahaha.
I have wondered the same thing.

Am a physicist, not quite from NZ, but SA. Close enough!

The mounting points for all 3rd gen bumpers are the same.

 

[demoj]

That is not being stupid. That is probably the most intelligent thing you have said.

Now I am going to HAVE to do it to prove I am not being stupid...... which is also the aforementioned stupidity. You're painting me in a corner here.

 

[demoj]

Am a physicist, not quite from NZ, but SA. Close enough!

The mounting points for all 3rd gen bumpers are the same.

HA!!! I just met like 3 SA folks!!!
We will have to talk spooky action and other nerdums at the breakfast...

 

[alia176]

Justin,

Come to the breakfast this sat and check out the bumpers I put together by ordering pre-cut pieces from NWTI. Honestly, I think as your first project, this is the way you should go. Why? For one thing, when you have a pre-designed and pre-cut kit arrive at your shop on a pallet, it's EXACTLY like playing Legos for adults. . I kid you not, it's fun to puzzle it together. Once you actually start on this project, you won't be stopping because it's really fun to tack everything together and watch it slowly come together. Just drink some beer, and slowly build it. Slow is good, otherwise, you'll warp the s*** out things. You can tack the whole thing together in one weekend then spend as long as you want completing your weld. So, you'll be driving around with an unfinished bumper but who cares.

I've built bumpers for all my rigs and this was by far, the most fun I had. When you're not designing, cutting and noodling from scratch, the project moves faster and your desire to complete it stays at a high level, IMHO. I really hated cutting and cleaning up steel before tacking. While CAD'ing a bumper is fun, it also takes a long time and to be honest, there ain't too many ways to build a freaking bumper

Coastal Offroad and 4x4lab also provide bumper DIY kits for our rigs so check them out too. Mine is from NWTI out of WA state. My bumpers have my personal tweaks but having a good foundation to start with is really sweet. By doing a DIY kit, you'll be proud of your work and learn fabrication/welding at the same time. Your welding skills will improve exponentially on projects like these. Cost will be 1/3 less than a finished unit, typically.

 

[demoj]

Justin,

Come to the breakfast this sat....

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I may not make it to the breakfast but thanks for the input! I love the idea of the u-weld-it bumper and may end up doing it in the end, especially for the rear. In some ways it feels silly to even do that given the resources I have.

This project is less about the actual bumper and more about the DIY and what I can make happen with reinforcing/modifying what is already there. Indeed, I am kinda just spinning my wheels, what is a single guy with no kids supposed to do with his time anyway???

It may seem crazy, but I appear to have gone mad.

 

[alia176]

You're welcome to check it out over beers any time amigo, just come on up. I can email you pics of the process if that's of any interest to you.

My bumper needs were due to the huge amount of plastic bumpers that were simply falling apart. 4th gens have mondo amount of plastic as bumpers. The plastic clips were broken and the two bumpers were barely hanging on while rattling over bumps. I thought long and hard about building a hidden winch up front behind the stock bumper to keep it light but that plastic POS needed to go.

The rear bumper motivation came from needing to haul four bikes and fuel cans. I can spend $$$$ on a quality hitch mounted rack that accommodate four bikes while sticking out four feet behind the 4runner or spend the same amount of money and build a quality bumper with swing outs. One is easy and the other one is fun, for me at least!

 

[Quantumkiwi]

Adding my 5 cents to the bumper kit discussion.
I have the Coastal Offroad bumpers. They work fine, but honestly I'm not the biggest fan of the fitup, I'm a decent welder, and TIGed a good bit of it, and its still a bit more rough around the edges than I would like. When they shipped, there were a few pieces that were missing, and it really wasn't worth all the hassle getting the pieces to line up as good as it could. You'll still spend a lot of time, beveling, fitting, grinding, and then still get something thats just ok in the end. That said, it does mean I'm much more willing to wheel it hard, because I know it can stand up to the abuse and I don't mind patching it up, especially when compared to a 1k+ bumper.

I think next time around, I'll either get a tube bender and make my own, or pony up for some of the really nice ones.

 

[pappy]

... what is a single, retired guy with no kids supposed to do with his time anyway???

Fixed it for you.