Bumper Dented Bed... Replacement Ideas/Options? Anyone Tried This?

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The previous owner of my Taco backed into a pole and pushed the rear bumper into the bed. I've been quoted ~$600 to fix the body, but that doesn't include a new Toyota bumper which are $250+. I've got a couple ideas and just wondered if anyone else has seen or tried this:

1) I would like to cut the lower corners under the taillights off (removing the damage) and mount an 05+ Tacoma rear bumper b/c they wrap around beneath the taillights a little and would cover up the metal I would have to remove... Don't know about the dimensions on that bumper and if it would even be close to fitting. Anyone know?


2) Cut the metal off below the body line from the rear bumper to the rear fender well and find a wrap-around style aftermarket bumper that would fill that void. Kinda like the All-Pro bumpers, but one that would be flush with the rest of the bed and require you to cut off the extra metal. I know I've seen one before, but can't remember who made it... Anyone know?

3) Find a 4-Runner bumper and do the same as above and remove the sheet metal all the way to the fender well. Don't know if this bumper would fit either.


Thanks for looking and please let me know if you have any info about how and if this stuff could be done. Also, if you know any aftermarket companies that make rear bumpers like I would need.

 

Me, I would go with the repair.
Any cutting you do, make sure you think about what your are going to do with the edges to prevent rust.

 

that or just rip the stock bumper off, pound out the damage yourself, and throw on a tube bumper or stout offroad bumper...

 

i might have one for you, only a ding the size of a peanut, give me a couple days to find out, ill sell it for a great price if you need it. its off a 2001 and its chrome


Ryan

 

I would not cut off the fender damaged area. To do that right you would have to cut the fender and bend it back at the edges, which would be more work than fixing the dent. Fix the damage don't start chopping up the truck to cover up that damage. It is not a big deal to fix what is damaged. Bang out the dent, Bondo the area, file the bondo. sand the bondo, spot and glaze the small stuff, Spray paint with Duplicolor rattle can. No big deal if you take your time. You could easily do it yourself for the price of a bumper and $50

 

x2

 

x2

OR, don't you like the look of the stock bumper...otherwise, you're doing a lot more work than simply fixing it back to stock.

 

x3

 

That would be cool, but I bet it would cost a lot to ship... If I go w/ a stock bumper it might be cheaper to pay for a new one from my Toyota dealership and not have to pay shipping. Let me know though, I'll weigh my options. Thanks

 

I don't mind the stock bumper, but I would really like a more "custom" look that would tuck it up closer to the body. I guess I could knock the dent out as good as possible, Dupli-Color spray it, and buy a cool aftermarket bumper. I've used that paint on a couple small parts, like the headlight filler piece and it looks fine. I just didn't know about trying to blend it in with an entire bedside and make it look good...

 

I know this is an old thread, but I have the same issue. What did original poster end up doing?? I've looked at trying to bang it out myself, but there is a bracket there behind that corner that i don't know how to deal with. And in doing this kind of work, would I just get one of those body dolly kits from harbor freight? Would a slid hammer and that electric spot welder from Harbor Freight be able to get this out? It seems like it would be a booger bear just because of the place it is ....sort of like a dimpled area that went from convex to concave.

 

OP hasn't been on this site for two years apparently, so I doubt you'll hear back. The bracket behind the bed corner is the bed support, there's no way you could get in there with dollys to hammer it back out without cutting out the support. And if you're going to do that, you might as well cut the sheet metal too and make yourself a high clearance bumper.

 

That's kind of what I was thinking. Will a Gen 2 bumper fit? Perhaps cover up some of this damage? I know it is a little wider, right?

 

I highly doubt a 2nd gen bumper will fit, the bed is totally different shape, and the corners of the bumper turn up and are recessed in, so you'd have to mount it really low or cut out the sheet metal even if it did line up.

 

I did the same damage years ago to mine. It creased the fender under the light. Took it to a body shop buddy of mine. He had a stud welder and a puller. We gently heated the creased area and pulled it out. Studs pulled holes in the metal. Took it home and welded up hole with a piece of brass as a backer. Then I found a primer/body filler in one in a spray can. Don't remember the name of it. Shot it inside and out, let dry. Sanded it smooth and shot it with dulpicolor. I personally built a replacement bumper. No one can point out the spot today unless I show them.

 

The stud welder made holes in your sheet metal?????

 

He had a puller that chained to the concrete. Like they straighten frames with. Had an end that went on that puller. The puller was pulling the studs and base metal around the stud out after so much pulling.

 

We just kept welding studs back on it pulling it until we got it popped out. Looked like a cheese grader in spots. I mig weld the little holes up and buffed down with a flap disc

 

Saved my butt having a body shop guy as a buddy.