How do you remove the front bumper on a 98-00 4x4?

Technically it's called the lower valence, but most of us know it as the bumper.

How do I remove it?

Looking at it, it seems like I just need to remove the 8 or so bolts from behind (going through the bracket and presumably into the bumper).

But there are also cheap plastic "screw" fasteners on the top of the bumper... but those just seem to hold the bumper to the bracket.

Has anyone taken this thing off entirely, and if so... help

Thanks in advance

 

I've got an 01 but it might be similar. If I remember correctly there are 4 bolts on the crush plate or whatever its called, and 2 on either side of the bumper that have rubber bushings.

I'll see if I have a pic.

 

Thanks, I'm going to go out and take pics of what I see... with the hopes that someone who isn't a moron like me can help out.

 

HAHA when I first got under there it seemed like a daunting task but it turned out pretty simple.

 

Just bolts on the back side?

Also... did you put it back on by yourself?

I'm getting the feeling that there's no f'in way I can get that all lined up and bolted up by myself.

 

On the 98 there is just two bolts right on the sides...

 

Here's pics of what I'm looking at:

Top of the bumper. Those plastic screw fasteners. There are four total. Two in the middle (seen here) and one under each headlight assembly.



Here's one under the headlight assembly. The fact that you'd have to take the headlights and then the brackets out just to get at this one screw makes me believe that you don't touch these plastic fasteners. You just take the whole bumper out by removing the bolts from behind/underneath



The bottom of those plastic fasteners. They go through a plastic bracket that is bolted to metal brackets which are attached to the frame (I believe)



Looking straight up from the ground. Those bolts go through the aforementioned plastic bracket that is held on to the back of the bumper by those plastic screw fasteners



Looking up at that driver's side corner



Attached to both bumper stops (is that what they're called?)

 

There's only two bolts that hold the entire bumper in place?

 

I can't really see your pics on my phone but I doubt the plastic holds it on.if I remember correctly there were two plastic fasteners but can't remember what they held.

I haven't put it back on but I don't imagine it would be too hard, just use a jack our stands to hold it, them align it.

 

Ohhh yeah, had mine off many times, I have a front bumper on now from an '02, simple bolt on affair

 

An '02 bumper bolts on, straight up, to our 98-00?

I'm going through your gallery and only seeing the original 98-00 bumper on your truck.

Any pics of the 02 on it?

 

Oh keep looking , there is no one here that hated the looks of the '98 thru '00 bumper than me... ..link

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/112876-4wds-budget-build-17.html

 

If you want you're more than welcome to give me a call, though I might not be able to help you as mine isn't exactly the same.

 

The '02 bumper bolts up perfectly at every connection point & the beauty of it is .. the lower valance UNBOLTS from the main bumper.....

 

You mean plastic "bolts" right?

 

Just read that post of yours

Did you ever put the lower valence on or do you leave it off?

How do you like the look?

I think when I swap the 95-97 front end on, I'm going to go with an 02 (assuming an any 01-04 bumper will suffice) bumper valence.

The 95-97 bumper/valence is too smooshed in looking.

The 98-00 bumper is well... hideous.

I think the 01-04 would look sweet with the 95-97 grille

 

Nope, actual screws, on years 2000 down to '98 the valance is part of the ugly ass bumper, I trimmed approx. 14" of plastic (valance) from the fugly ass thing...

 

I believe on mine they are two parts attached by plastic screw things, technical term

 

Oh yeah its staying off , more so because theres a tube bumper down the road , but even if there wasn't I'd just fill in that gap that leaves the lower part of the radiator vulerable, with some more steel mesh I had on before, I like your idea about the '97 grill/newer 1st gen bumper

sounds interesting, ya gonna do it ??

 

Yeah those 2 stupid fucking things on the ends of the valance, ya know the only reason for that long ugly ass piece of plastic is support for the 2 ugliest turn signals that ever when on anything with 4 wheels...