Aftermarket bumper? I hit a deer.

Just hit 6K miles on my 21 SR5 that I bought in July. Hit a deer last night and busted the front end up. No damage to the cooling system and the core support looks good. I don't see any damage to the fender or hood. I am considering putting it in the shop and having it repaired to stock or I may consider an aftermarket bumper. Thoughts?

 

Now is certainly a good time for an aftermarket bumper. If you play your cards right, insurance may even pay for a large portion of it. It just depends on whether that is the route you want to go. If deer are a concern, then it seems like a smart choice.

And sorry for your misfortune

 

Glad you're ok.
You may be unpleasantly surprised to find there was more damage than you have initially noted.
Based on personal experience with a deer deciding to stop in the roadway.

 

Well now would definitely be the time. Do you want a whole new bumper or just more protection for the front end?

 

Where I live has forest areas...there are deer signs so the little buggers are out there.

Did this happen at night? (I'm confirming because I don't think they are active as much during the day) I don't know anything about hunting! lol

I'd want to invest in a full bumper to include coverage around the headlights, for this reason.

Glad you're OK and feel badly for your misfortune. Hope it all works out!

Ed

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Damn. Need a cow catcher on it

 

I vote for bumper upgrade time! The only downside is wait/lead times for anything of quality are pretty lengthy.

 

The damn things are active 24 hours a day!!

I have had them run into the side of my car after in the middle of the afternoon and even had one accelerate past my passenger side so it could cut in front of the car and get hit....
(I don't admire deer that much...)

OP: Sorry for your misfortune and glad you are OK, might want to have it checked by a good body shop for any hidden damage.

 

Two weeks ago, going back stock. In shop now, 6K damage

 

I think I want a whole new aftermarket bumper.

 

Thatta boy

 

I agree. I'll be deciding this weekend whether to order an ARB or CBI bumper. Both have long lead times. I'm leaning toward the CBI but they're claiming 4 months lead time for bumpers on their website.

 

I showed a photo of my Taco to an Aussie mate. The first question he asked: "Where's the 'roo bar?" Where he lives, it appears to be standard issue. Visited AUS 3X and I didn't even think about it. In your case, having it might be a necessity.

 

Anyone know anything about the Barricade HD that is on www.extremeterrain.com ?

 

Im taking it in on Tuesday morning for an estimate from the body shop

 

Well they all seem to be about a 4-5 month wait for a bumper so good luck

 

Like that landcruiser.

 

FWIW.....deer are more active at dawn and dusk.

An aftermarket bumper won't help to avoid deer. ONLY to minimize deer strike damage.

Question to consider.....
How will the aftermarket bumper absorb impact energy in a typical vehicle vs vehicle impact?
You have a much greater chance of hitting or being hit by another vehicle than a deer.

 

I was talking to my son-in-law and he was cracking jokes about "putting bubble-wrap" around our cars and driving beaters in order to keep our trucks looking pristine...

Then we got to talklin' about crumple zones and how aftermarket bumpers affect design. There's this YouTube video showing 1959 Pal Air vs 2009 Malibu.



Good discussion...

Ed

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