3rd gen Tacoma Southern Style Offroad rear bumper.

I like the bumper.
But, the install video is lacking, and just plain crummy lighting.
It was also missing some steps, at least for my truck.

1. There are plastic caps under the stock bumper, YOU MUST remove them or the SSO bumper will NOT FIT.
Circled in red. There is one on both sides.



2. The passanger side of my truck, the side that has the "slow open" mechanism, has a small flap of steel thats sticking out and wont allow you to push the bumper in as far as it needs to go, you MUST trim it.

Driver side.




Passanger side that needs trimmed.
Before trimming.




After trimming. I suggest removing the passanger side rear tail light housing. Gives you alot more work space.



Last tip. Installing the license plate holder, there are tapped holes in the bumper, just drill them out and use your own nuts and bolts. The threads on my bumper were fucked up and useless. Small thing, but it added time. Id rather have an entire nut and bolt than a bolt into a threaded hole on a bumper like this anyways.


I like the bumper, id like real directions even more. Not that you need a ton of instructions, but for me videos blow, i want paper.

 

Nice write up, sucks the install video wasn’t good but looks like you did a great job. Looks fantastic on your truck!

 

We will modify our instructions for simplicity, However, you shouldn't need to trim your truck, at all. I think you've got the bumper way too close against the body of the truck. There should be at least a 3/16" gap to account for flex. With that gap in place, no trimming is necessary.

 

If it were any farther away, the wiring harness wouldnt reach, and i disconnected anything and everything you could. A wiring harness extension should be made available with the bumper.

 

Just measured, i do have at least 3/16 of an inch between the bumper and fender. Ordered an extension for the plug.

 

We had plenty of room with the harness, with a little extra beyond the area to replug it in. You might need to make sure all the necessary clips are undone and really make sure it's all pulled out. https://youtu.be/oKB1Bhi5tqA 7:40 section.

It should sit like this once done.

If you'd like give us a call and we can have our install tech try to help troubleshoot it.

 

This is information that should be included in the instillation instructions.

Thank you. I do have everything taken care of now.

 

Very nice looking! I like all metal bumpers!

Toyota plastic bumpers …are made of plastic? If you drag it on the ground, it will break into a “million pieces”..
Good to carry a broom and dust pan?

Glad most aftermarket bumpers use steel. This is a future MOD for my truck. A bumper that can take punishment and protect the truck!

Don’t get me wrong about the plastic bumpers? I like “Tupperware”.
Aloha

 

Nice work! I had to make similar adjustments when installing my RCI rear bumper. I removed the plastic caps and bent that metal tab out of the way. Hindsight 20/20, I should have trimmed it like you did.

I was checking out the images on SSO's website and noticed the trailer plug port is to the left of the plate. It's hard to tell from the photos, but is this going to be an issue when you have a trailer hitch in the receiver? Seems like space might be tight.

Also, instead of the flip plate that came with my bumper, I used two manetic license plate holders. Not only did this get rid of the flip plate, which I found obnoxious and in the way, but it also allows me to relocate the plate when towing. You can stick it to the side of the bumper, or to the trailer.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2824990278...gLKvPXqQSm&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

The plate is sort.of in the way actually, good call on those magnets. I admit, im not a huge fan of the cheap flip up holder.

 

Good call! This magnetic plate might work perfect up front too!

 

The solution there, is don't run a front plate.

They're required here in WA, but in over 3 years, I've yet to be bothered about not having one. Although now that I said that, I'll have a ticket tomorrow.

However, as long as your front bumper is steel and it has a flat spot, the magnets will work.