Cross Member Extension?

Anyone know the purpose of these extensions? I just took them out but was curious as what the use was for

 

As far as I’ve have gathered, I’ve always assumed they’re there to satisfy some legal clause about the front of the truck needed a certain amount of “bumper protection”. Looking at your pictures, the would “protect” the outer tie rods from road debris, but that’s being generous. Most people remove them. I did.

 

The cross member extensions were most likely added by Toyota engineers so that the Tacoma would perform well in the IIHS small offset frontal crash test. Ford did the same with the F150 when it switched to the aluminum body style, in fact extended cab versions of the F150 (2015my), which did not have the cross member extensions performed rather poorly in the crash test when compared to the crew cab which did have them.

 

Now this is how you do a first post

 

You mean you don't like the "what lift to fit 33" ko2s?"

 

The cross-member extensions are to help protect your tie rods from getting bent by rocks/logs driving offroad. When I look at the shape mine are in, I am glad they are there. Without those hunks of metal, your steering would take all the abuse.

The extensions are not strong, but you hear them crunching and scraping before you do irreversible damage. That’s also why they are replaceable.