Chrome rear bumper.....

I saw my first 2016 Tacoma in real life last week. The chrome bumper on the sr5 trim level was a disappointment. I like the truck overall, ironically the huge grill didn't look nearly as bad in person, but the rear bumper felt pretty cheap. I was surprised because at that time I had not heard any criticism of the rear bumper. It looks nice, but it felt like cheap plastic.

 

I could be wrong. Magnet test will not work on an aluminum or alloy bumper. Tap it with a coin.

I am going to be upset if I need to pay $170 each for the left and right rear chrome bumper covers

 

ok, so my dealer has a 2016 off road, chrome bumpers are just plastic with chrome coating. I really don't mind much....underneath is some reinforcement and my jeep has plastic bumpers which are ok to me.

 

So how hard would it be to swap the Painted Color bumper with the Chrome Bumper I wonder... original 'excuse' was that the painted bumper was to aid with Blind Spot sensors because they won't work with the metal. So is it the chrome coating that interferes with the blind spot sensor or is that just a bunch of hooey?

 

looks like it would be easy, the bottom just has some of the quick release plastic pins that are used on a lot o cars, not sure about the top of the chromed plastic piece though.

 

And do those blind spot monitoring sensors attach to the bumper or somewhere else? Wonder if there's a schematic out there somewhere on the rear bumper assembly showing blind spot monitoring system

 

So do I. It's what I'll get if I go with the sports, holding back the tech/premium. Correct? That's most likely the route I'll go saving $3k for other goodies.

 

I think that is correct, the Tech & Prem pks excludes the chrome bumper. The reasoning I heard is because of blind spot monitors dont work with the chrome but cannot validate that.

 

The BSM doesn't work with a reflective surface, not because of material.

 

The bumper won't be aluminum. It will have enough iron content to magnetic. Either way it seems like you were wrong and the bumpers are all plastic, some just have a chrome coating.

 

If Toyota releases a TRD OR ACLB with a manual V6. I Will replace the chrome grill and rear bumper with color matched pieces.

 

Uh, oxymoron right? Isn't the AC already a LB

 

I wanted the chrome bumper because I figured it would be more durable than the plastic ones. Guess not

 

Perhaps I'm the only one with this opinion, but I think the best look is the plain unpainted black rear bumper that comes on the SR with the utility package. While the front bumper on that model looks hideous, I like the rear bumper. I think if I end up with a vehicle that has the chrome bumpers, I will replace them with the flat black.

 

that is only on the off road, sport has painted bumpers regardless

 

I can confirm on mine, that without the tech package the TRD off-road has a chrome bumper.

At work so I am unable to post a picture, but mine in the parking lot that I picked up last night has a chrome bumper.

 

Ok thanks for clarification so all Sports come with Color-matched bumper but TRD OR without Tech pkg come with Chrome (TRD OR with tech pkg have painted bumper) -- Can you confirm if it is chrome-coated Plastic or if it is a metal bumper?

 

The bumper sounds plastic when tapped. Only had a bit at lunch to run out and take a look.

So while not 100%, I'd say it is plastic with chrome coating.

If someone wanted the chrome bumper I'd be shocked if it really interfered much with the sensor. Although it might, tough call without trying it out.

 

I can confirm, it is chrome COLORED plastic. It is not metal

 

Those who have them and back into something will be glad they are plastic when they go to replace them. the bumper is three separate pieces . Inexpensive replacement. Thats a good thing. A dent in a chrome plated steel bumper would be expensive to replace