CBI T3 front bumper, hoops or no hoops?

I'm looking for your thoughts, and/or experiences with CBI's T3 bumper for 3rd gen Tacomas. I'm debating between no hoop, or the full grill protection version. Being that I have a 2018 with TSS, I think the center grill guard version will interfere with the cruise control radar. My previous Tacoma's front end took quite a beating on the trail (and vs. deer), so I'm leaning towards more coverage for my new taco—but the hoopless T3 sure is clean. Thoughts?

 

I also have TSS but on a pro grill, the sensor sits lower. I want the bumper with hoop but haven't gotten it since I don't know if it'll interfere. I might just go with no hoop.

 

After some recent tight trails, I kinda wish I would have gotten the full hoop with headlight protection instead of the short hoop. No TSS on my 16, so that didn't effect me.

 

number 2 low hoop, actually serves a purpose

 

All person preference I will be going no hoop, not to say hoop looks bad it’s just not how I pictured my truck in my dreams when I imagined it ! Hoopless for me!

I originally wanted the Honey Badger Bumper but I’m all about supporting community’s so I’ll stick with CBI myself

 

mid hoop. No ragrets

 

Full hoop some different angles.

 

I am also undecided between no hoop and mid hoop.

 

Full hoops if you take her out. Others for it looking real nice.

I'll be doing full hoops this spring to make it easier to attach limb raisers.

P.S. @MRBOND101 very nice truck

 

Full hoops do look great and I like the idea of extra protection. Did you install yourself? Also curious if you had to cut the hooks off the stock skid? Thanks!

 

Thank you!

Yes I did it myself. Are you talking about the factory front recovery point? If so then no I didn’t. You can see the hook still in this picture.

 

Nice! I'm going to install myself, too. The Off Road OEM skids have small retainer hooks up front; It looks like those aren't there on the TRD Pro skids—so answered my own question.

 

Hmm, the C4 Overland bumper looks pretty good, too—
https://www.c4fabrication.com/produ...verland-series-front-bumper-full-size-no-cut/

 

I’d go with the full hoop I hit a deer with my Arb bumper and cow tipped it lol

 

Any helpful tips on install? My bumper could be shipping in the next two weeks. What tools did you use? After the cut to the existing bumper how did you smooth out the cut? Anything wisdom or things I should know... I am scared to go chopping on my truck


I went no hoops by the way. Love how clean it looks and with a bhlm I will about be finished with my build

 

Did you have to mod trd skid plate to fit with cbi bumper? does it touch bumper?

 

*make sure your grill is back on before installing with ANY hoop option! *

I installed mine a couple weeks ago. The instructions suck ass tbh. It doesn't say which bolts to use in which spots. I found it best to hang the bumper by the 6 studs that used to hold the aluminum crash bar thing. Get 2 bolts started hand tight on each side so that the bumper doesn't wiggle forward. Then, do the 2 large bolts that are on the bottom (these are the ones that lift the bumper up). Check the crash bar studs while tightening the bottom bolts so that they don't bend up. Also hand tighten the crash bar bolt if they come loose. Once it's up all the way, tighten all the crash bar bolts. 1 bolt on each side is accessed from through the hood. I couldn't get a socket on it so I had to use a classic wrench. Next is the side mounts, those go pretty smooth. I should also mention that for the bottom bolts and side support bolts, you pretty much have to use and impact drive. You can't put a back up wrench on the other side so you have to hope that the grooved nuts grab and hold.

The directions for cutting the fender flares was also wrong. It said it would leave them a little long and that you could trim later, but ended up being cut way too short!

My advice... Cut the flares and bumper way long. Put the bumper on as far as you can until the plastic hits and trim just a little. Once I had enough bumper cut so that it didn't touch, the bumper bolts sucked up all the way. Then I scribed against the t3 a 1/4" so the reveal was perfect.

Other things that I can remember....
The instructions don't mention where to cut the inner wheel well plastic. Just cut off pieces once installed till you're happy. Where the bumper meets the fender flare there was some metal behind the plastic that needed to be cut, don't worry about that, it's just the front quarter panel.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some things but just this will help you not bang your head against the wall like I did. Here is a link to the license plate mount I used

EAG Universal Stainless Steel License Plate Mount for Aluminum Hawse Fairlead

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NJ4FB7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ao9.BbQP550A4

 

I appreciate you taking the time to write all that out.

 

All are great design bumpers but mid loop for me ;-)