Front bumper replacement - Aftermarket - High Clearance or Other -- Weak frame front plates when recovering.

[Kielly]

Posting out of curiosity hoping to hear from someone who's installed an aftermarket front bumper and successfully recovered a vehicle with the tow points.

My buddy with his 2nd gen recently bought a bolt on front bumper replacement, all steel with two front hooks for recovery purposes.

He took it out the other night and one of us got stuck, he had to pull them out. When he did, it looked like he bent the bumper out on the right side. We took it back to our buddies shop and hauled it off to take a closer look and to our surprise it appears he bent the plate on his frame where the bumper attaches, it also looks like those front plates are extremely thin.

His plans are to weld thicker plates, but it has my mind a little boggled as to why those plates would be as thin as they are from factory and if the 4th gen is also stuck in the same faith.

High clearance bumpers is majorly on my radar, overtime pending approval lol, but now I'm really concerned if I'll need to re-enforce my frame mounting points too.

Anyone currently with a non-OEM bumper with built in recovery points that can tune in?

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[Dirt]

Watching this one. Thanks.

 

[Moundman]

I'm in for the watch also.

 

[DesertFast]

I've got an Addictive Desert Designs with the bull bar waiting in the garage. Just need the winch to show up. I went with the hoop model because it's one more layer of protection in case I get a bit wild and bump the front end. It isn't anything like a total bumper, but it will help.

It is one of the most expensive options as well, partially because of the name recognition I'd imagine but also the reputation for good products.

Be mindful if you go any higher than where that bumper goes you will be moving sensors and other features that might void warranty.

You can watch an install video. They have a bulletproof reputation and are a top brand for a LOT of vehicles.

I also looked at CBI's offering and C4. C4 has built in wings for bigger tire clearance if that matters to you. I have no experience with either brand, so I can't recommend for or against them.

Links:

https://www.addictivedesertdesigns....ducts/stealth-tacoma-center-winch-hoop-bumper

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