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How "tough" are the stock bumpers?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by 4X42HEL, Aug 3, 2010.

  1. Aug 3, 2010 at 7:10 AM
    #1
    4X42HEL

    4X42HEL [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hi, kind of a weird question to ask, and not that I plan on mowing anything down, but does anybody have any first hand experience on how tough the plastic-looking front bumpers are?

    I know when I bought my taco that was one part I wish they had made beefier and more like the rear bumper. I think we all ding things here and there, and back in the day I would even "push" vehicles that were stuck in my old chevy with a solid bumper.
     
  2. Aug 3, 2010 at 8:06 AM
    #2
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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    I don't think they are very tough, given that it's just a plastic up there. I haven't really tested how tough it is and don't plan on it intentionally. :eek:
     
  3. Aug 3, 2010 at 8:08 AM
    #3
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Well-Known Member

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    A few bolts are different.
    How tough is an egg shell?
     
  4. Aug 3, 2010 at 8:11 AM
    #4
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    oil change...
    as tough as a plastic bumper...
     
  5. Aug 3, 2010 at 8:13 AM
    #5
    rob1

    rob1 Well-Known Member

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    I saw someone on here bend it and put it in the trash after installing an after market rear bumper!! But yeah, I agree with Darknight as tough as an eggshell :rolleyes:
     
  6. Aug 3, 2010 at 8:33 AM
    #6
    06redtacoma

    06redtacoma Well-Known Member

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    Lifted, Slider, stock rack, rear mounted winch in stock bumper, brush guard, Sound system, ipod to car, tint, wheel spacers, 285 bfg AT,
    might stand up to a bird encounter but i wouldn't count on it.
     
  7. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:22 AM
    #7
    jpmorrisvb

    jpmorrisvb Well-Known Member

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    Now that can be pretty tough. Take an egg .... place it in your palms .... point to point .... and press hard ..... it'll hold. [​IMG]






    I am not held responsible for any damage, mess, stains, etc.
     
  8. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:26 AM
    #8
    borderbrat

    borderbrat Watching Chris4x4 o.O

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    I caved in one side of my bumper where the fog light is. Nice thing about plastic is you just take a heat gun to it heat it up a little bit and pop it back into shape.
     
  9. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:29 AM
    #9
    SlurpeeBlueMetallic

    SlurpeeBlueMetallic FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU...

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    Take your finger and push into front bumper... it'll flex... not strong at all.
     
  10. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:31 AM
    #10
    ill ay

    ill ay I DO MAN STUFF

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    ^x2 - Its proven an Egg Shell on its Arch from Top to Bottom is designed to support great force. The design of it has been used in building Arch like bridges to support the weight. The shape of the arch distributes the compressive forces to the weight-bearing piers that support the arch.


    An eggshell is a natural example of an arch. One end of the shell has a larger, rounder arch, and the other end is narrower and more pointed. It's pretty easy to crack an eggshell if you tap it against a hard surface. But if you interlock your fingers and try to squeeze an egg lengthwise to break it, you'll find that it can withstand more force than you might expect.
     
  11. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:36 AM
    #11
    toyo freak

    toyo freak Another Toyota Enthusiast

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    ^^^ Wow Well I can say on my buds earlier(2002) tundra the platic holds pretty well. I went flying through mud hit a tree destroyed the fog light but the bumper held. Overtime the heat pushed the dent back out
     
  12. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:38 AM
    #12
    Dark_Taco

    Dark_Taco Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't use the word "tough" to describe it.
     
  13. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:38 AM
    #13
    NraFan

    NraFan Join the NRA! Protect your freedom!

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    I watched some stupid moron put her car in reverse, floor the gas, and make a 20 foot fun at my truck. Nothing but a scratch and a couple marks. I think I got lucky. I dont think they are very strong. I think she hit it just right...
     
  14. Aug 3, 2010 at 9:41 AM
    #14
    solus

    solus HOME!!!

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    I've had too other trucks bounce off my rear bumper... with only slight damage

    1st one: 80's Mazda truck going about 12-15 mph... destroyed his front end, dented my bumper

    2nd one: 2009 Tacoma going about 5-10 mph... destroyed his fender and headlight, scratched my bumper

    the rear bumper is pretty strong for a bumper... the front OTOH is not strong all
     
  15. Aug 3, 2010 at 10:40 AM
    #15
    Mandy3206

    Mandy3206 Well-Known Member

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    I replaced the aluminum reinforcement with a piece of scrap from a 2x2x1/8 when I rear ended a honda odessey, the plastic is dented and punctured in a couple of places, but will have to do until I can spring the money for a new aftermarket bumper, possibly All-pro or CBI.

    Fixed the grill myself and welded the new reinforcement myself, only my friend at the body shop pulled the radiator mount area back out and squared the front for me at no charge so I pay the beers that night at the bar next to the body shop, My cost was $100.00 for the used aftermarket headlights, 4 or 6 hrs working in the truck and around $50.00 for beers at the body shop.
    The odessey need $7K+ on repairs including a new rear door, new bumper and panel pull and paint.
    The honda also hit a lexus in front and that was another $1,200 worth of repairs.
    I would say it's pretty strong as it is, but I would like something beefier so my repairs are $0.00

    The only part that needed replacement was the aluminum reinforcement that disintegrated and the dealer wanted $250.00 for it, I even reused the aluminum crush-cans with the new steel reinforcement.
    It looks like nothing happened to the casual eye, but under close inspection, it can be seen that something happened.
     
  16. Aug 3, 2010 at 10:44 AM
    #16
    flightcancled

    flightcancled Addicted

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    Long terrible story short I got railroaded down a deer-path in thick swamp-like brush. my flat black SR5 bumper took it just fine.
     
  17. Aug 3, 2010 at 10:58 AM
    #17
    Mandy3206

    Mandy3206 Well-Known Member

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    Here are a few pics of the new reinforcement, excuse my birdshit welds :D:D:D

    DSC06756rz50_7344dc1f1d394ee8ff63345068ad4543bcb433c8.jpg

    DSC06754rz50_7c92dd8c8706bc0bd3e4a07c048561ea54b8d1c9.jpg

    DSC06759rz50_65528a76c1d194f1797cf9593aa546e53312960a.jpg
     
  18. Aug 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM
    #18
    Niknaq

    Niknaq Phightin Phils 2008 Champs

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    I actually got rear ended at 30mph with very little cosmetic damage to the bumper. The other car is a different story though :)
     
  19. Aug 3, 2010 at 11:25 AM
    #19
    4X42HEL

    4X42HEL [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hmm... well, I was mainly talking about the front bumper. I'm a bit confused... why would Toyota make such a puny front bumper on a somewhat decently rugged truck.

    I still remember those commercials where the would-be ex-girlfriend rolls the dude's truck down a cliff and it is in perfect condition on impact.

    Wonder if false advertisement applies to foreign import products....
     
  20. Aug 3, 2010 at 11:46 AM
    #20
    Mandy3206

    Mandy3206 Well-Known Member

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    I agree that the plastic facade is flimsy and Off Road sucks big time, at least can be smacked back to it's original shape, but scratches and punctures easily.
    I wanted to change bumpers since I bought the truck back in 06, but needed a reason to justify myself replacing a working part, when the reason finally came I don't have the money, life plays you tricks :rolleyes:
     

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