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Question for those with an offroad bumper

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Gimmick, Feb 28, 2013.

  1. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:21 AM
    #1
    Gimmick

    Gimmick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    About to make a deposit on a bumper with Elite. Im leaning toward 1/4 aluminium as opposed to the 3/16 steel. This is because of weight, i have a 4banger, and i wont be doing any heavy off roading.

    Thoughts..opinions? Hows your bumper workin out?
     
  2. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:22 AM
    #2
    Large

    Large Red

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    Mine is great, I would recommend some heavy duty coils for the extra weight. Even if it's aluminum and you plan on a winch in the future.
     
  3. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:24 AM
    #3
    Gimmick

    Gimmick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    You have a steel one?
     
  4. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:26 AM
    #4
    Large

    Large Red

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    3/16" steel one from BruteForce Fab. I'd recommend it to anyone, it's nice and beefy. I try not to be biased, I read plenty of good reviews on Elite bumpers and other manufacturers also.
     
  5. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:37 AM
    #5
    In a Coma

    In a Coma Active Member

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    I agree, BruteForce all the way. But my question is, if you aren't planning on any heavy off-roading why waste the money and put a bumper on at all? The Tacoma is a tank "as is". Have you upgraded the suspension? If not, that's the first thing I'd spend money on. It's the primary weakness of a stock Tacoma.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2013
  6. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:42 AM
    #6
    jtav2002

    jtav2002 Kenny Fuckin Powers

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    Maybe he just likes the look of an aftermarket bumper?
     
  7. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:45 AM
    #7
    Spoonman

    Spoonman Granite Guru

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    I like that they protect you and the truck a little better from animals on the road. That was part of the reason I bought mine & added the hoops.

    And wheeling hard.
     
  8. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:49 AM
    #8
    Kolunatic

    Kolunatic Broke ass

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    I got set of bf bumpers before any suspension upgrades. Timing was right. I chose steel,cuz if anything was to happen or change,I can weld to steel,I don't know how to work with aluminum.
    I got a tank now,and don't worry about deer anymore.
    I'm starting to gather suspension upgrades now.
     
  9. Feb 28, 2013 at 6:55 AM
    #9
    IronCladTRD

    IronCladTRD Consistently Irregular

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    Fixed :D

    I have an Elite 3/16 steel bumper. It's nice. Really nice for off roading. As far as visual appeal... I wouldn't have dropped a grand on the thing just for the way it looks. But if you've got that kind of money to spend, go for it. Thing to remember about aluminum is that it's not as strong, and will potentially gouge, scratch, bend, etc. more easily.
     
  10. Feb 28, 2013 at 7:00 AM
    #10
    LoadedTaco

    LoadedTaco Kick A$$ Member

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    Got my Pelfreybilt bumper a couple weeks ago and I love it. It looks sick and the function is awesome. I know he can do them in aluminum so maybe check it out and PM him. I have a link to him in my signature.
     
  11. Feb 28, 2013 at 7:11 AM
    #11
    davidpick

    davidpick NWXPDTN

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    You can't go wrong with Elite Offroad armor -- top-notch quality!
     
  12. Feb 28, 2013 at 7:32 AM
    #12
    In a Coma

    In a Coma Active Member

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    Yes, you can certainly add bumpers before suspension but personally I don't think it's the "ideal" situation. If you add a front and rear you are adding a little extra weight (not much) and thus putting more pressure on an already ill-equipped stock suspension. I guess I just have a different mentality about how I approach my truck. All the upgrades I do are for function, not to make my truck "look cool". There is nothing wrong with "looking cool". Hey, I love trucks and all types of trucks and the creative mods that people do. I'm more of an "overland/expedition" guy and less of an "off-road" kind of guy. The two cross, very clearly, but it's just a different mentality about approach to mods, etc. Hey, if you want an aluminum bumper, go for it! Elite makes great products as does Brute Force, Demello, All-pro, Relentless and many other fabricators/manufacturers.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2013
  13. Feb 28, 2013 at 7:49 AM
    #13
    Gimmick

    Gimmick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    To be honest, i have a slight bit of end of the world prepping mentality. So to have an equipped vehicle for any what ifs makes me feel good. Theres not a huge selection of places to off road in ontario, but once i do start gettin out, again, itd be nice to be ready. That and the bumpers look fuckin sick.
     
  14. Feb 28, 2013 at 7:50 AM
    #14
    Gimmick

    Gimmick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    And suspension would follow.
     
  15. Feb 28, 2013 at 8:08 AM
    #15
    In a Coma

    In a Coma Active Member

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    And again, with the "end of the world" mentality, I would DEFINITELY do suspension first. If bombs start dropping tomorrow or zombies were gobbling up people in the street, what is going to make your truck more capable? A front aluminum bumper or a sturdy 3" lift? If you have an aftermarket bumper with stock suspension and you actually have to load your truck down with gear and get the hell out of town...you will be totally limited and might I even say "fucked" with the stock suspension. Just food for thought, man! :)
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2013
  16. Feb 28, 2013 at 8:18 AM
    #16
    PLC721

    PLC721 Well-Known Member

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  17. Feb 28, 2013 at 8:34 AM
    #17
    Gimmick

    Gimmick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Soooo would it not make sense to install the bumper, see how much it sags and then adjust the suspension accordingly? To level out the front?
     
  18. Feb 28, 2013 at 10:59 AM
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    Ice Horse

    Ice Horse Stalking horse

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    I think if you're going to go with a steel plate bumper then bumper first then suspension since you want to level it. I would just not drive it hard without the suspension. Aluminum stuff is cool and lightweight but I'm not sure how I feel about it being used as armor. Steel seems much more solid to me.
     
  19. Feb 28, 2013 at 11:04 AM
    #19
    Toy Yoda

    Toy Yoda gotta make sure Youtube comes down to tape this

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    when i had my ARB installed i had to wait a day to have the 886's put on, and in that 24 hour period i measured a drop of 1.25", i had bilstein 5100's at 1.75" and stock coils
     
  20. Feb 28, 2013 at 11:28 AM
    #20
    In a Coma

    In a Coma Active Member

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    You probably won't sag much with an aluminum bumper. But that's not the point I'm trying to make. You're going to be spending easily $1000 (or more) on the bumper and with just a little more $$$ you can have badass suspension which makes the Tacoma a "real truck". My point is, and I'm not saying I'm right, I'm just trying to get you to think about it a little more...I think you are putting the cart before the horse. I also agree with Ice Horse in that I personally wouldn't use aluminum for armor. Aluminum is great for racks, jerry can holders or other applications but for armor...steel is the way to go.
     

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