Rear bumper bumped. Bend it back?

Estimate to replace..$800. It’s only bent down a little. I pocketed the cash. No damage to the bumper itself. Could I just remove it and bend back whatever metal brackets secure it? Or is it more involved than that?

 

If it is just the brackets you might be able to loosen it and move it back.

Worse case make new brackets to position it where you need it to be.

pictures would be a big help.

 

I will post pics later when there’s more light. Can’t say if it’ll show that much. At least it’ll show why I chose to pocket the $800

 

You might want to take pictures of the area that is bent.

 

You should be able to bend it (#6 below, I expect) back to an extend. Not sure if or how much structural integrity you may lose by doing so. It really depends on how much the $800 cash means to you.
Personally, knowing my stuff is 100% "right" is more important than having an extra $800 in my pocket, so I'd get it repaired professionally.

 

You can get a new bumper from Rockauto for $150. You’ll still have money in the pocket and better protection for you and your ride.

My wife was rear ended a few years ago in her 2001. The dealer did the repair for us and was unable to get an original Toyota bumper. They ended up using an aftermarket one (not sure what brand). Honestly we like it better although it looks the same, the plastic step/slip tread doesn’t come up too close to the tailgate if you were hauling rocks so no tailgate denting and there is now ample space for the tire removal tool. Best of all, the license plate lights look better.

before:

after:

 

Am I just not seeing anything?

The after looks better

 

yeah, the after is the aftermarket one. They are very similar except fir the gap between the plastic cover on the new bumper and the tailgate when it is open is much better. It also doesn’t ride up in the center where the tire lowering pipe goes. Also, the plate lights are a little better.

 

Not too much to see really. I needed the cash at the moment but will eventually get it back to normal one way or another.

 

That really doesn’t look too bad. what if you used a floor jack below it as if you were going to lift it from where the hitch would be?

 

I probably could try that and placing a wood plank under the length of the bumper so the jack lifting is spread out evenly and not having to use more than one jack. However, it may just start raising the truck off the ground if the bed isn’t heavily weighted down.

 

That’s good idea. With the leverage involved I don’t think the truck would come off the ground.

 

Get under the truck. Look at where the bumper is attached. The damage is likely in that location. Perhaps the mounts are replaceable with minor cost.

Once the steel has bent (yielded), it can be reformed. The effect is the steel will have lower strength. Its a material physics/metallurgy thing.

 

Before I would do anything I would loosen all the bolts on the bumper and attaching brackets and see if it can be pushed back into place then tighten the bolts. I think there are four on each side.

 

Loosen the mounting bolts and adjust it up.

Close enough.

At the most a couple brackets from the junkyard.

 

Second this. Loosen all bolts that attach the bumper to the mounting brackets and see if you can adjust to a flatter level. If that doesn't get you straight- go with the other advice in using a jack to bend it back- however, as another mentioned it won't be as strong.

If the loosening doesn't work, and you're not comfortable with the strength, get some new bumper mounting brackets for $32 .
That should be all you need, as the bumper itself is fine- just your brackets are bent. I had the same issue on my truck, got rear ended, and just the mounting brackets were damaged.

 

Sorry. I didn't realize the fix was only $32.

Don't fudge around with a floor jack trying to "straighten it". You will likely create more damage with the jack.

FIX IT! You'll still have over $750 in your pocket.

 

Guys...I may just try the jack up fix if the wheels don’t start lifting off the ground. Looking at it I can’t even see what exactly got bent, it’s that unnoticeable. I’ll just have to try jacking it up and see if it raises the wheels too, then go with plan B.

Damn, new black step bumper and brackets would cost me $160. Repair places probably get it for $100.

 

that almost looks adjustable. I wonder if loosening the bolts with the jack then retighten is all you will need to do.

 

Looks bent