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Rear Bumper Brackets - make um stronger? or keep them as crumple zone?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Cadmus, Sep 8, 2016.

  1. Sep 8, 2016 at 9:50 PM
    #1
    Cadmus

    Cadmus [OP] Un-Known Member

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    Fort Collins CO USA
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    '04 4door 4x4 TDRoffroad
    I need to make a rear bumper as I am having a hard time finding a product that is easily modified to do what I need. currently my OEM chrome bumper is held on by a set of these

    [​IMG]

    I assume this was designed to bend after getting rear ended to prevent damage to the frame... which is kinda known to be less than robust. BUT if towing and hi-lifting off a bumper and bumper mounted hitch I want it to be strong, so I was going to loose the OEM brackets and use heavy angles and beef the snot out of it. But I would hate to transfer damage to the truck frame.

    If i use OEM brackets will that bumper (really just a 3x5" steel tube with appendages) be able to lift a wheel of the truck when being jacked? Will it be reliable to tow with?

    If i beef up the bumper to be as strong as the nice class III tow package the sr5s came with, did I compromise my rear crumple zone? ('not sure one can call anything in the rear crumple zone but that brackets are obviously crumpleable and liky are designed to be sacrificed in a rearending)

    What are others doing?
     
  2. Sep 9, 2016 at 8:06 AM
    #2
    pray4surf

    pray4surf Well-Known Member

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    Rick
    Oceanside, CA
    Vehicle:
    98 PreRunner conv to 4x4
    F&R suspension, OBA, Custom bed rack, RTT, rear frame plates, 4x4 conversion from prerunner, many other
    Take this for what it's worth... I replaced the stock rear bumper with an heavy duty steel rear bumper with it's own mounting plates. While parked outside my house, an errant vehicle plowed into the rear of my truck. The impact pushed the truck up onto the sidewalk (slight downhill, wheels cocked to the right). No frame damage to my truck, even the bumper survived and was straightened and reinstalled. I believe it helped I had welded on frame reinforcement plates from CBI Fab. Only damage to the truck was the tailgate and the drivers side rear corner. The errant vehicle (early 70's VW bus) was disabled and had to be towed.
     
  3. Sep 10, 2016 at 4:53 AM
    #3
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    New Tripoli Pa
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    2000 Work truck 5 speed 4x4 3.4
    Super Springs
    Would a receiver hitch be to low and cause problems .

    Just wondering if your going to all that trouble
     
  4. Sep 10, 2016 at 7:16 AM
    #4
    Cadmus

    Cadmus [OP] Un-Known Member

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    I will take it and greatly appreciate the input. thanks.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2016
  5. Sep 10, 2016 at 7:37 AM
    #5
    Cadmus

    Cadmus [OP] Un-Known Member

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    Fort Collins CO USA
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    '04 4door 4x4 TDRoffroad
    I am not sure of your question, but however i interpret it my answer is "i am unsure"

    The OEM receiver hitch is pretty low. recovery angle of 20 i think. If i take it off (only 6 bolts) it is 30. I dont know if i NEED to raise the hitch but i will say just in town and driving to trailheads for mountain biking my receiver hitch bike rack almost bottomed out (i will post photos and calculate angle soon).

    Personally I like the chrome bumpers and spent the last 10 month trying to keep them. But they do not allow for hi-lift use. Also, I need to add a hang glider rack to the front and the back using some detachable joint like receiver hitches on the lateral ends. add too that a front and rear hitch for a hitch mount winch. Because winter is around the corner i am opting to outsource as much as possible as I have no way to bring home metal or lumber until i finish that rack. (I am working 80hr weeks lately and finishing a phd.) But I likely have to build the rear bumper.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2016
  6. Sep 10, 2016 at 10:37 AM
    #6
    Cadmus

    Cadmus [OP] Un-Known Member

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    Fort Collins CO USA
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    '04 4door 4x4 TDRoffroad
    ohh. do you mean would adding a hitch to an aftermarket fabricated bumper be too low? or is it needed?

    It is needed, i do on occasion need to pull trailers (rare) and I have a hitch bike rack that is constantly used. Additionally i need to add recover hitches on the lateral ends for a hang glider/lumber/metal stock rack. I use my rear winch at work more than a front winch so i am needing front and rear 2" receivers for a winch.
     
  7. Sep 12, 2016 at 11:03 AM
    #7
    Cadmus

    Cadmus [OP] Un-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Fort Collins CO USA
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    '04 4door 4x4 TDRoffroad
    20160912_121245.jpg
    Departure angles:
    To bike rack: 22.7 degrees with the almost ever present bike rack in its current location. If moved up to just below a 3x3 square bar bumper it would be 27.48 or in a recessed receiver near the top of a 3x3" bumper it would be 30.1 deg.
    To bike tire on rack: 21.7. But it would become 25 to 28.3 if i place the receiver just below or recessed in the top of a 3x3 square tube bumper.
    To existing OEM SR5 towing package receiver: 26.5
    To current OEM bumper if i removed the tow package: 30.9
    To 3x3" square tube bumper in my head: It could be 34 deg if i recess the receiver into the tube. But if i attach receiver hitches to the bottom it is more like 31.7

    And these are all based on the base of the triangle being measured just behind the wheel NOT just below the axle.

    I really have no idea what i need.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2016

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