Questions About Off-Road Bumpers

Hey all - I'm new to the forum and did my best trying to find info on this before posting, but had no luck.

I'm thinking about getting into modding and having an aftermarket winch front bumper installed. This one to be exact. Before I pull the trigger, however, I'm wondering if the forum can answer a few questions I have.

1) Is this something that I can install on my own with tools an average guy has in his garage (sockets, wrenches, drill, etc.)

2) Is it likely that I will need to upgrade any other component on my truck after installing this due to weight? I have an '08 TRD OR with the stock bilstein shocks and everything.

3) Are there any other products/recommendations you all have? I'm not looking to spend much more than that.

Thanks!

 

If your main goal is not to install a winch, I wouldn't bother with it at all. Because no matter the responses you get, you will need to upgrade your front end suspension. Especially if you do get a winch, cause with wire rope they are pretty heafty. I do tons of offroading by myself, and I just haul a come-a-long rated at 4 tons. Drug myself off plenty of rocks, and hasn't failed me yet. I have Ironman 4x4 suspension up front already, and I will be getting an ARB bumper and winch soon. I guess technically it's just for looks, cause I do fine with my come along now. Yes you can do it with shop tools, no problem. And shop around for bumpers, don't get that one cause its the cheapest. This is a part that will be on your truck for the rest of its life..... Save up and get something that pleases you and is well known for keeping up with the Toyota reliability.

 

That about sums it up, if I may I would suggest skid plates and sliders first, then a lift with the correct springs for the weight of future bumpers, both front and rear. For whom to buy it from there are many vendors on TW and whole threads on different pieces of armor under the second gen section.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys! It sounds like maybe I need to do suspension first, then think about a winch bumper or just a come along winch.

I live in Minnesota so in all honesty skid plates and sliders might be a bit of overkill; no real rocky terrain here, and what there is can easily be avoided. The appeal of a winch is to get me out of deep deep snow...

 

You can look into low profile winch mounts. They make this, which isnt a full replacement, is cheaper, and still serves the purpose of getting you out of the snow. That way there is more money to spend on suspension and winch.

https://www.usoffroad.us/store/#/product/20

 

That is the best looking one I've seen

 

If you find yourself worrying about front-end animal strikes, an aftermarket bumper may be well worth your time. Consider it's weight, as suspension upgrades are likely to follow. If a winch is you're only justification for the bumper, I would first invest in traction boards like Maxtrax. Much cheaper, and much faster for snow recovery. If you're worried about hauling other people out of snow, take my advice- it isn't worth it