Plate bumper vs Grill Guard

Up until a few hours ago while surfing TW, I was convinced of getting a grill guard to protect and strengthen my front end. From what I've been reading grill guards are more for looks than actual protection. My question is: would a plate bumper off more protection than a grill guard? as for the plate bumper I would be looking into having one with a center loop? My truck is my everyday ride, on occasion it sees sand and mud. I apologize if this has been repeatedly asked, but I can't seem to find anything using the search.

 

definitely. the grille guard would get pushed into the front end, where as the bumper is the front end, and is much stronger.

 

Get a plate bumper over the grille guard for sure

 

what they said! i would get the center hoop.

 

The plate bumper seems to be getting more love, so next question has to be: Do you have a particular brand of choice? I keep running into Relentless fabrication and the '12 model is really looking good to me.

 

I like the way "all pro" makes their bumpers. but I don't know that they have a 2012 bumper yet..

 

Demello Offroad has a great plate bumper actually gonna get one soon!

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/164975-bumpers-2nd-gens-only.html Theres the link to the bumpers and such.

 

get a plate bumper, grille guards are junk and are just for looks will do more damage than protect it

 

Grill guards are beyond useless and offer no protection. Its worse than comparing a running board to a slider because at least a running board functions as a step. A grill guard is nothing but decoration.

 

Plate bumpers are heavy so you should modify your suspension.

Tube bumpers and hybrids (tube and plate) can be lighter then plate.

It all depends on why you want it (your uses). Also your budget and the time you expect to wait to get it done. Relentless has long lead times....(2) of my friends have waited 9 months + for their rear bumpers. Granted they were the first rear bumpers Eric made with the options they got so they were harder to do, but all the same it was 9 months +. Actually one guy is on month 10 or 11. As long as your willing to wait they are great. I have one of his first 10 front bumpers he sold and it has been excellent over the years.

 

I'll eventually be getting front and rear bumpers as well. After initially looking at brush guards I decided to go ahead and get a full on bumper since it really isn't too much more money anyway.

My only concern is if it would infact be damaged if I hit a deer or other animal of egual size at speed. What do you guys think? Has anyone seen it happen before? I did a couple of searches but didn't com eup with anything.

 

I don't plan on using it for any extreme off road. Definately using it on sand and mud. Mostly protection from all the crazy drivers we have in south Texas. The stock bumper it has gives me no comfort what so ever I would prefer not to mess with the suspension, but will if I can't find a lightweight one.

 

if youre looking for something that will give some protection (not at much as a plate bumper, but more than a grill guard), look at an avid light bar. ive heard theyre pretty sturdy and will take light impacts like a fender bender. definitely wont save you completely but it will help. if you want a whole new bumper but dont need the protection or want the weight of a plate bumper try a hybrid like brute force fab, famous fabrication, or ATO. GL

 

I saw the avid light bar and to be honest wasn't very impressed. I'm sure it's great for lights, but I couldn't see it working for what I wanted it for. I just stumbled on a brute force hybrid. I prefer the look of a regular plate. How heavy would the plate bumper have to be to have to adjust the suspension?

 

if youre on stock suspension, it may be a bit. ive heard relentless plate bumpers are about 120 lbs.

 

I'm not very knowledgeable on suspensions? What exactly would I have to change or swap?

 

A plate bumper WILL require a suspension upgrade. I drove on my stock suspension for a few months. It handles it, but the ride and control suffer significantly. With yours being a 2012 you also have less options right now as only a few fabricators have made one for it so far.

 

im no expert myself but the two TW favorites that i see are icon coilovers/rear shocks (if you can afford it) or if youre on a budget bilstein 5100's and eibach coil springs. it really depends on what youre going to use your truck for (offroad or mainly street use), budget, and look.

 

Springs and shocks up front are what you would need to handle the new bumper. A decent option will run you around $500.