C4 Fabrication Front Winch Bumper Installed

[Pappy]

Tuesday I installed my C4 winch bumper. Extremely pleased with this bumper. I only had three issues with this install. First, my old Warn XD9 with the 6hp XP motor didn't fit the cradle. The motor was too long. Fortunately, I still had the original XD motor, and it fit. Tight, but it fit. The second issue was a minor one. The bumper comes with a "bridge skid." The 1/4" cap screws it comes with were too long, and ran into the crossmember. I cut them in half and solved the problem. The third issue is I now have a front sonar error.

I contacted a buddy that works for Toyota (corporate) on the front sonar sensor. I'm getting told from him, and other sources, that the battery should have been disconnected before unplugging the grille connectors. If this is true, it would be nice if all of the aftermarket bumper manufactures would put that in their install instructions.

Sponsored

 

[Pappy]

I made two modifications to the bumper before I had it powder coated. First, I rely on solar to keep my battery charged when I'm in the weeds. I installed a SAE port on the passenger side of the bumper for a quick connection to my Zamp Solar suitcase panel. Second, accessing the controller on the winch is impossible. So, I bought the Warn extension cable (stupid $$$$$, by the way), and mounted the port on the front. I also clocked the gear box for easy access to the handle.

SAE solar connector on the passenger side of the bumper.

Warn winch extension port on the front.

Clocked gear box handle.

 

[Iqudayo]

I made two modifications to the bumper before I had it powder coated. First, I rely on solar to keep my battery charged when I'm in the weeds. I installed a SAE port on the passenger side of the bumper for a quick connection to my Zamp Solar suitcase panel. Second, accessing the controller on the winch is impossible. So, I bought the Warn extension cable (stupid $$$$$, by the way), and mounted the port on the front. I also clocked the gear box for easy access to the handle.

SAE solar connector on the passenger side of the bumper.

Warn winch extension port on the front.

Clocked gear box handle.

Fantastic install,
Do you have a link for the bumper ?

 

[Pappy]

Fantastic install,
Do you have a link for the bumper ?

Not at the moment. Google C4 Fabrication. They now have several options.

 

[Iqudayo]

Not at the moment. Google C4 Fabrication. They now have several options.

I’m looking and they only go as high as 2023 tacos am I missing something ?

 

[Pappy]

I’m looking and they only go as high as 2023 tacos am I missing something ?

Yes. I see 3 options for Gen4 Tacoma.

https://c4fabrication.com/collectio...DsGsk0WZmzyZmDnnPQxqYT9vQgT4XFu4WfVLWmnM_dCXt

 

[Pappy]

The third issue is I now have a front sonar error.

I contacted a buddy that works for Toyota (corporate) on the front sonar sensor. I'm getting told from him, and other sources, that the battery should have been disconnected before unplugging the grille connectors. If this is true, it would be nice if all of the aftermarket bumper manufactures would put that in their install instructions.

A follow-up. I took the truck to Toyota to get the codes cleared and the sensors recalibrated. Long story short they had the truck all day on Tuesday, and didn't resolve the issue. I took the truck back today. Total, the dealer's lead tech worked on the truck for at least 8 hours. He finally "phoned a friend," in this case a Toyota engineer. Well, he learned something. The codes needed to be cleared in a specific order. I'm fixed. Cost? $414. They only charged me for 2 hours.

 

[ixo]

Looks awesome!

 

[Pappy]

Looks awesome!

Thanks. I suspect it will also work good too. After looking at several other options I have full confidence I will not pull the bumper off the frame.

Sponsored