DeMello Rear bumper interest

On our large list of things we are going to do this year a rear production Tacoma bumper 2005-2015 is way over due. But before we release it or attempt it we want to hear from people out there what they'd like to see built into a rear bumper. I mean aside from making it of unuptanium and being next to free what would you guys like to see

Here are a few pictures of custom ones we've done for years of the high clearance version. We will also do a no cut version.

 

As far as looks, something simple and clean, but avoids a square face and blocky look. Kinda how you guys do your front bumpers. I also hate the giant gap under the tai lights some people have.

Functionality wise, something where it doesn't stick out three feet. Light weight and increased ground clearance. I want to keep the functionality of my tailgate, as well as if I mount Jerry cans or whatever to the back, I don't want them to restrict my view out the back window. I want to be able to keep my towing capacity as well as my full size spare under the truck.

D-ring mounts out back and optional cutouts for backup lights would be swell too.

Pelfreybilt and Relentless fab, for comparison, are two of the cleanest bumpers I've seen available. Pelfreybilt has angles across the back portion instead of it being flat and would be nice for a little extra clearance. Relentless Fab's are pretty nice, but what really sets them apart as far as looks, is the little flare that ties into the fender flare body line. Just looks cleaner.

 

Some support beams for the sides behind the tires that attaches to the frame. I saw them on the CBI bumpers but haven't seen them on any others.

Also, I've noticed a lot of the swing out tire carriers force you to move your backup camera. I'm not sure if it's possible but if you could figure out how to configure it to not make that necessary it would be nice.

I also like the simple designs. The more you can make it look like it came on the truck, the better. Loops on the sides next to the lights look useful as well.

 

Off centered license plate mount with provisions to reuse the stock license plate lights. I don't like how some of the other companies hinge the license plate over the receiver.

I'd also like to see the receiver stick out a few inches and not flush so that it can used with anti-tilt brackets for things like a motorcycle carrier.



An optional bracket to relocate the backup camera on swing out models would be nice too.

 

When it's time for me to shop for rear bumpers, one feature that will matter to me is the ability to safely stand on it and load gear on top of my roof rack. If I can't do that, then I'll look somewhere else. Worst case I'll have to compromise, and have someone modify it.

Other features I'm interested:

• Strength
  
• Light weight as possible.

What would significantly help me at purchase time, is if I knew the weight of the factory tow hitch plus chrome bumper. vs. aftermarket bumper. I'd love to know that!!!

I'm undecided if I'll go HC or standard.

No swingout for me, as I'm in and out of the back of the truck way too much.

Thanks for asking for feedback.

 

Oh and if it help you Jason, here is a link to the fantastic bumper your shop built for Dave (Tacodoc)

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-demello-offroad-rear-bumper-project.226256/page-3

 

I'd like to see a normal rear plate bumper, not high clearance, with allowance for the OEM tow package hitch receiver. Not a huge fan of the integrated receiver.

 

I've been looking for a high clearance bumper with an integrated hitch since the OEM hitch is like a plow off road. Make the tow plug relocation easy as well, possibly hiding the hitch receiver and tow plug behind the license plate. Tow chains can attach to the D-rings.

I don't mind if I have to cut the bedside or not.

D-rings attachment points.

Optional cut outs for back up lights such as those flush mount LED pods.

Provisions to add a swing tire carrier in the future if possible that has easy installation.

If using a swing out tire carrier, make it some how that I don't have to relocate my back up camera.

1 Ton swing out lever/handle/lock thing...

How about a DIY weld kit?

 

I'm not sure If I'll do HC or not when the time comes, but an integrated hitch that doesn't interfere with the license plate would be nice.

 

I think you'd be fine with a swing out. Put those fancy windoors to good use!

I almost just want a swing out so I can I have one of those fold down camp tables. That's another option I'd liked to see available.

 

As others mentioned, clean lines and not a slab faced brick. I'd like something that looks like the OEM bumper, at least from a distance.

Either keep the stock tow receiver or hidden is good, as long as I can keep my 33" spare underneath.

Options for light pods and a swing out would be nice, but lower priority.

AE

 

As others mentioned, clean lines and not a slab faced brick. I'd like something that looks like the OEM bumper, at least from a distance.

Either keep the stock tow receiver or hidden is good, as long as I can keep my 33" spare underneath.

Options for light pods and a swing out would be nice, but lower priority.

AE

 

All great suggestions, We are leaning towards a reworked factory hitch mount for the replacement bumper and an integrated for the high clearance. But we haven't given up on just using the factory one moved up (if possible). We will keep it as light as possible with a possible aluminum option minus the swing out. But the steel option will be 3/16in with internal bracing. The rear end see's a lot of action (insert joke here) so we want to make sure it's strong.

For a swing out gate we may do what we are going to do for the FJC make the hole and make it so you can add the swing out later with some welding and re-configuring.

When it comes to swing outs everyone wants something a little different so we are working on a more universal design that allows for swaping between air tanks and gas cans to floor jacks.

Thank you for the input, keep it coming.

 

Those are some great looking bumpers that you have there!

 

I'd like to get a rear tube bumper with the look of the old smittybilt models from the 80s, like the back to the future truck.

Don't expect you to make it though, I asked about it a few years back while getting my sliders installed and you didn't think it could look good on the 2nd gen body; I'm not sure I can really picture it myself, but I always liked the look of those bumpers (maybe I'll try to make a mockup of something with cardboard tubes myself one of these days).

 

I'll be in the market for front and rear bumpers sometime this year. Still doing research but what I would like to see as some have said would be a lower profile (doesn't stick out behind too far - flat mount rotopax canisters rather than have them stick out width wise if that sort of makes sense - just like in the picture you posted). Also, I really like the idea of a dual swing out (like the All Pro style) where you could lock the swing outs in the open position so if you have a cap and tail gate open, you could still throw some oversized stuff in the bed and secure it properly and drive down the road with the swing outs locked open.

I like the integrated receiver built in behind the flip down license plate holder too.

 

Yeah, Not sure that look will transfer well.

 

I would purchase that thing tomorrow ... All replacement bumper currently available and using the OEM tow package hitch receiver are junk.

My best dream will be:
D-ring mounts with cutouts for backup lights.
Side bed incorporated into the bumper for extra protection.

I didn't purchased the high clearance bumper only to be legal when I tow. No off-road bumper with hitch integrated have officially been approve as hitch class 4. I don't want to deal with cops during a family camping trip.

 

I've got a mental picture of something that only covers about the same area as the factory chrome bumper, maybe with a third short tube up under the tail lights, but with the wrap-around only going a few inches forward past the bend. Hopefully I can find the time to mock it up and see. It looked pretty good on the promotional Hilux they did for BTTF, not sure how much the difference on the 2nd gen tacoma body would be, though.

I was just the right age when Back to the Future first came out that I'm so stuck on just the look of the bumper itself, I don't know if I can really envision it on the 2nd gen body style. My dilemma is that it's not worth what it would cost me to just comission it custom, and I'm sure there's not enough other people looking for it to justify any sort of production to reduce unit costs; one day maybe I'll break down and get/rent a pipe bender and learn to weld and just make it myself. Too many other mods and projects in the pipe for this year to really get serious about a bumper though, unless I wreck the one I've got.

 

Jason, this bumper is the best high clearance I have seen. The sloped upwards angle on the bottom, from the wheel to the rear really looks good. It give back some of the factory lines yet you still get much better clearance. I feel the Pelfrebilt and CBI both look too high at the wheel. I also love the duel hitch design, the hitch in the swing out is key for adding toys. I actually saw a picture of this bumper online and tracked down Lou to figure out who made it. If you build a production model like this i will be one of the first in line.