2012 fender busted need replacement advice

I bought a 2012 Taco. The front fender and bumper is held on by duct tape. I was thinking of getting a nice heavy duty bumper but am worried about the weight. Was thinking the original white bumper and black grill looks nice anyone have those lying around I could purchase cheap cheap?

 

The fender looks to be held on just fine according to the panel gap with the hood.

You just need a fresh bumper.

 

Sweet, I just need to replace bumper. Im new to these trucks and have always wanted one. Wanted to get it back to the original look for now. Then maybe down the road do more stuff to it... thanks

 

I'd go check local junkyards or Car-Part.com and find some color matched replacements. Best time to do it is now, ain't like they are making more 2nd gens nowadays. Since you have a 2012, look for parts from 2012-2015 since our bumper/grill/fender styles was different during those years (often referred to as the Gen2.5 refresh).

 

I’ve checked local junk yard, but not all of them. Will look more into those guys tomorrow. And the car parts.com… thanks

 

Maybe consider replacing those cloudy headlight assemblies if you’re planning on keeping the truck. I haven’t checked prices in a while but you could probably get a set for a couple hundred bucks.

 

If you do go with a big steel bumper and winch youll want to also upgrade the suspension to handle the extra weight.

 

The upper tip of the front of the fender (above the light) looks like it got tweaked upward a little, and does not line up completely with the front corner of the hood at that point. If you get a new fender, you won't have to worry about that. If you stick with the original fender, that will have to be part of the repair.

 

I will replacing the headlamps as well just wanted to start small.. There is someone on taco world that did all the leg work with headlamp assemblies and brighter german bulbs..

 

I think when you find out the cost of new headlights - you will probably opt for a lens polish kit (at least to see well at night in the near term). There are plenty of replacement/upgrade options available - all it takes is MONEY.

 

yeah Im such a nube right now. I need to get off of this forum. every bodies rig looks exactly like what I want..

 

well time to get the credit card out then!

 

LOL

Just a heads up, I know money and timelines don't always line up, but when you take the bumper off, it's 5x easier to replace the Headlights at the same time (if you're not just refinishing/polishing them). There's one side facing bolt on the headlight assemblies that you either have to take the corners of the bumper down to reach, or pull back the wheel well liner and reach up from under. It's definitely doable the second way (which is what I did), but if you have the bumper already off...easy peasy.

Also, you'll need one Front Bumper Headlight Filler Trim Panel, look at your passenger side under the headlight for reference. It's that little piece that fills in the gap. I'd also keep an eye on the bottom front edge of the Fender if you don't replace the whole thing. It's starting to rust and that should be sanded down and hit with some rust reformer and preventative. Would be the way to go if you respray, rattle can or touchup the fender vs. replacing it. But like @1schoir said, the fender IS tweaked a little, depends how much that bothers you. Welcome to TW, and awesome handle/name!

 

thats good to know gonna start pinching pennies to get headlights when I get the bumper a two for

 

steel bumper protects, improves clearance, and adds mounting surfaces

it reduces the ability for a random person to decide to put an end to the life of your truck because they feel like it.
Not including other things like hitting a deer in the middle of nowhere.

the fender looks fine. That looks like duct tape residue on it that can potentially be removed.

If you choose ARB, 05-11 had better clearance than 12-15 version and requires some work or cutting to fit; which in your case wouldn’t damage anything since the bumper cover is already messed up in the lower area.

 

I have seen some conversions from 2nd gen to 3rd gen.. looks nice is what I thinking..