Mobtown Off-road High Clearance Rear Bumper

Following being rear ended by a punk kid (on purpose/road rage) I had purchased the Mobtown Off-road high clearance rear plate bumper. I went Mobtown for several reasons; east coast, supporting the smaller guy, less lead time predicted (FAIL), and the thing looked beefy as heck with the support and built in hitch. I had hold ups receiving it (production I was told) and then issues, I just wasn’t cool with, upon its arrival. All this forced me to lose an opportunity to install it until now.

This said, I searched for both pictures and installation instructions for the

$90 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma With 4L Right Petrol intake air snorkel kit high performance system compatible kit Replacement black Rotational Molding (2005-2015)

2005-2015 2nd generation platform and really came up with nothing. There were videos for the 3rd generation and a few people saying follow the same instructions, but cut even with the tail light and still no detailed pictures.

I couldn’t really find anything, so throughout my installation I took a bunch of pictures and will document, in as much detail as I can, my installation and such for those others with questions.

My initial modifications were to finish welding this thing, there were a bunch of spots overlooked and some areas only welded on one side of a plate, leaving an open seam for water, dirt, and rust to reside. After doing this, I opted to make my own provisions for a swing out tire carrier, one that sits closer than the one offered, and I wanted this all done prior to paint/powdercoat.

So here it goes...

Removed the banged up rear bumper and hitch, salvaging all that wasn’t damaged (plastic center cover with bolt covers and the hitch with hardware) for those in need and to make some bucks back.

CUTTING -

Nervous as heck to cut the bedside, I looked at ANY pictures, masking taped the area, and measured 18 times using a piece of angle iron from the top of the bed (took cap off) down with a tape measure and a square. Even with the taillight works out to 17-1/8” and leaves 1/2 to 7/8” gap between the bumper and body. I personally would like less gap so would recommend going 3/8” down from the taillight and straight forward. I used a 6” diameter death wheel on a Metabo 4-1/2” grinder and was very careful. I went a bit too slow, as the paint was burnt just a little, so move at a good pace. I cut the vertical several times as to not take too much, but the final fit best and worked out cutting from the bottom going up on a forward angle from the body indent to 1-1/2” in under the taillight at the body cut. After the first test fit I also had to nip off approximately 2” from the bottom of the section the under taillight panel, horizontal just under the lowest (bolt?) hole.

FITTING & ALIGNMENT -

The second test fit, mind you I have body shop background so body gap is a thing, resulted in me finding interference in the center where the new bumper’s hitch chain holder was (picture with larger gap between bed and bumper) I removed the bumper and clearances approximately 1/2” tall by 10” wide on center to the sheer metal panel under the tailgate (painted white line in picture). At this time I also took a rasp on a needle grinder to open the bottoms of the bolt holes and give myself adjustability to the alignment and panel gaps. Final fit resulted in something I could be happy with, I made adjustments loosening bolts and having a friend lift whichever area I wanted to align.

FENDER LINER & FINAL BITS -

All instructions I saw said to either bend it up and screw it to the cubby or to cut it with a drywall knife. Instead of following the rules I cut off only the bottom say 6” of the fender liner horizontally and cut a notch at the top portion where it could now recess into the bumper. I marked where the fender liner retaining bolt holes were, and when removed drilled the steel bumper so I could screw the liner to it. You can see in the picture that there’s a slice above my notch from the cutting disc when the bedside was cut and I may neaten the fender liners up when the bumper is getting painted.

I pulled the bumper back off to do my other modifications (finish up my tire carrier provisions, open the light openings to take not only a Baja Designs but also an eBay LED, etc.). I also painted the cut edge to protect from rust and coated any surface rust I found with Eastwood Rust Encapsulator Platnum (stuff is great). And lastly, added the included edge trim. This stuff is a pain in the ass to get on, but I went from the taillight forward, under the fender liner trimming the fender liner seal so the finer still sits flush, and then added a piece to the cut edge of the liner so it looks uniform.

Hopefully this helps others and I may make a video of my cuts. I will also help provide any assistance I can

 

well done!

 

That cruiser 4wd badge though..... nice bumper too

 

Nice write-up!

 

Custom! It’s lightweight, domed vinyl with an orange 4 to matchy my truck and bring a bit of old school to the newer. Could be available if anyone was interested.

 

I'd be interested for sure, depending on price of course

 

I’d like to see pics of the missed welding you speak of. You wrote a ton of detail about cutting it but the cut was simple. Cut straight across under the tailight

 

Looks like it came out nice. Too bad you had to go through your troubles.

 

My persistence on getting the bumper by the end of the promised lead time (my patience had worn out and did not hear any updates) are probably responsible for any overlooked areas. I also don’t want to peak negatively about anyone, because the product is great, but on the rear (unseen) brackets or butt joints were welded on only one side. The welds were nice, had good penetration, and would be strong enough, but as a perfectionist I welded both sides of the joints, filled gaps, and doubled its durability. As for pictures, I originally had some, but deleted and opted not to share.

As for the cut, sure, if you go by the “cut straight from the taillight”, it’s mostly simple less the corner, but detail wasn’t there, so I’m trying to help. Letting members know of excessive body gap when cutting from the taillight, alignment issues, tips and tricks, etc. could all make the information out there and take out the guess work putting people at ease.

 

I’d like to see the welds you are referencing honestly. I know Mobtown well run lots of their products and want to know how he left half of the welds undone because that seems unlikely. Just trying to clarify. Your first post sounded a bit like you were whining about the quality but now you’re happy? The install of these bumpers has been covered over and over cut your bedsides and bolt her up

 

Mobtown’s design is great and well
Thought out, steel is thick, weld quality is good, weld finish is great! I am happy with the product and have been! I support Mobtown as a business and helping them better, hence this bumper aaaand other stuff like both the tailgate cap and a stiffened panel.

I’m a bit disappointed of the fact that I was told 5-8 weeks and not one point in that period was I given an update or advised that it would be delayed and I’m not terribly pleased that it’s not gone back over before it’s shipped to see if anything was overlooked (gaps = opportunity to rust & fail). Plus, I am not the only case, a friend in PA with a third gen had skipped/missed welds on his sliders to the point where he had to freight them back! But if you insist... here is your picture.

I get that running a business is tough, doing it alone is tougher, good help is hard to find, and there are obstacles, but integrity and updates make customer service great. I’m easy (shit, I said eff it and cranked the 251 up welding the rest myself), but tell me “hey man, your stuff is going to be delayed” and I’d be way more cool than expecting it and having to call and email to find out what’s up.

 

Thank you for taking the time to write this out and show photos. Correct those are places where it could have been welded. My question is A.) were the welds necessary? B.) Did you reach out to Mobtown and show him these photos?

sounds like your friend was taken care of yes? Joe freighted then back and sent a correct set out right? So he ate that cost and took care of the customer?

I understand the frustration in delays and such, this is common with small businesses specifically fab shops. They can either answer emails or fabricate metal components but can to do both at the same time so long lead times in communication is a game we play with wanting awesome stuff for our trucks at a reasonable price.

 

I'm no expert but its possible those areas weren't welded for a reason. Also I've had nothing but positive experiences with Mobtown as far as shipping, quality and communication goes. Sounds like something may have went array here. Anyways glad you are satisfied in the end. Post some pics once its painted and mounted back up!

 

Pictures of this thing painted and installed for those interested.

Inner welded seams seam sealed, everything epoxy primed, high build primer, blocked, rocker guard/chip guard on the lower half, outside body color and inside/back black