C4 Fabrications Low Profile Bumper Question

Im probably going to order one today since they have a long lead time but I was curious if its worth it or not to get the hoop. Does it provide any sort of protection from mall crawling bumper incidents or rocks? I'm not looking to do super serious rock crawling, just fire roads and such but still want to get a winch capable bumper.

this will be for a '12 DCSB if that matters

 

I imagine the bumper will do well at deflecting your average suburban projectile (shopping carts, Prius at idle speed) with no worries. Bear in mind that aftermarket bumpers can affect how your airbags work, especially when it comes to differing crush rates and how energy is transferred to the passengers. The OEM bumper is the safest lightweight option, while I believe ARB is the only airbag-tested aftermarket option.

 

I was considering the winch mount / bumper that isnt a full bumper replacement. It replaces just the grey plastic insert on the bumper. I do not see a need for a full metal front bumper in my life anytime soon.

https://c4fabrication.com/collectio...a-front-lo-pro-winch-bumper-2nd-gen-2012-2015

Low Profile winch bumper.

So I'm not sure if the bull bar is worth it unless I can use it to mount lights

 

I see what you're saying now. Yeah, the ARB is pretty massive overkill for all but the most hardcore off-roaders. The only reason I'm getting one is to ensure airbag compliance while pursuing my goal: 360 degrees of "f*ck off" wrapped around my daily driver.

Lots of folks use bull bars of all varieties to mount lights. I'll personally be mounting a pair of KC Pro6 auxiliary high beams on my ARB "bull bar." Standard bolt-on bull bars are flimsy and generally not recommended by folks here.

 

I am on the fence about getting a full metal front bumper for that 360* of metal protection from stupid

I'm against those dumb bolt on bull bars. If I put something on my truck its going to serve a purpose/function.

 

Agree with your later point, with one exception. The Avid Offroad front bumper guard/light bar is a decent product that does offer some protection, unlike all other bull bars/brush guards. That's my current placeholder while I wait for my ARB to show up.

 

https://avidoffroad.com/cart/index....12-2014-toyota-tacoma-front-bumper-guard.html

not bad for the price if I had a 2WD truck I would get it.

 

I ordered mine with the TRD logo plate back in February, when I thought I wouldn't be modding my truck much at all. I balked at the thought of changing the suspension, which is required to support a massive bumper like the ARB. Oh how times changed.

 

With the winch and low profile bumper I will still probably have to get new springs and shocks all around so I am doing my homework now so I can be prepared

I too am noticing that one modification starts the slippery slope.......

 

Hard agree dude. Once I decided that nothing short of an ARB was gonna cut it, the brake lines got cut and I went full send into this modding thing.