Possible Solution to BSM and Aftermarket Bumpers

I would like to know if there is a fabricator out there that makes a rear bumper that only replaces the middle portion of the 3rd gen rear bumper and keeps the two plastic end pieces of the bumper? If not... this could be the solution to higher clearance and maintaining BSM!

Replacing the middle portion could raise the hitch & improve clearance. Keeping the two plastic pieces will allow the bsm to work without having holes in the bumper. Nor will there be a need to awkwardly mount the sensors at a lower position. I can see this looking similar to the winch bumpers that only replace a small portion of the front bumper.

What do you guys think?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dissent-off-road-2016-inferno-build.437413/page-6#post-14428188
http://www.c4fabrication.com/produc...erland-series-rear-bumper-system-bsm-support/

 

Not that I know of but some make replacements. I believe Fabfours will work as well as C4. Hopeing to see some more companies compete.

 

I like the c4 bumper but I just don't know if I like the look of the holes.

The dissent bumper is awesome but the middle portion needs to be replaced with steel and the end caps need to be the stock plastic ones

 

Remove the factory hitch. You get your clearance and retain BSM functionality, plus its free. Downside, obviously, is no hitch, but I think you're more concerned with off-road clearance than towing.

 

IMO, the wings are the most critical for clearance and added protection of an aftermarket bumper, 90% of the time when climbing steep ledges you hit them at a slight angle and when you do it's typically the outer wings that hit as you climb, especially if the factory hitch is removed.
I ran poison spider and hells revenge in Moab a couple weeks ago, both trails are notorious for steep climbs and large drop offs, my hitch dragged multiple times but never caused an issue, if I were to not have the factory hitch I would have destroyed the plastic wings on multiple occasions.

 

If you remove the hitch it won't work that is the only solid part of a third gen bumper... Go with armor at least you have a "real" bumper I love my c4 fab bumper . If you remove the hitch you might as well just take the bumper off .

 

Fab Fours does not maintain the function of the BSM system. Ours is the only full replacement steel bumper that works with BSM.

 

Thanks for the bumper Caleb..

 

I think the OP has a decent idea, I've also thought a bumper that just replaces the 3 center pieces in post #7, and moves the hitch connector up behind a flip-up license plate. I wouldn't mind if the new center section stuck out a bit more to the rear for some additional protection.

 

The corners are arguably the most vulnerable parts of the bumper. I'm not sure I understand or support the idea of replacing the center section with reinforced steel plate only to leave the low hanging corner plastic.

I'm sure some company will do it if there is enough interest but it doesn't seem like the best solution to me. I just don't get how keeping the whole corner plastic is better than C4's solution.

 

FabFour includes mounting brackets to move the BSM below the bumper slightly. Not something I'm interested in.

 

Oh ok, I wasn't aware they had those. One of our customers said he got a FF bumper and it wouldn't work with the BSM, only the park sensors.

 

OCF (off camber fab) makes a rear bumper here are some pics.

 

This bumper does not increase clearance (at least in the middle, where the hitch is) and it also does not retain the BSM functionality. I like the look, though!

 

I can see the bsm in there

 

It might have the BSM in there, but until I hear another member confirm the BSM functionality is retained, I'll stand by my original assumption, which was based off the fact that they moved the BSM towards the middle of the bumper and there is clearly steel in front of the sensor. If OCF has done testing to make sure the BSM worked, they would have included it in their description of the bumper on their site, not just back-up sensor functionality.

 

You have a point I assumed that since you could see it, it was functional. But unless anyone can confirm we wont know for sure.. either way if it does not address the clearances issue it wouldn't be an option.

 

I searched and the only user I could find with the Off Camber bumper is this guy. Hopefully he responds to my inquiry in the other thread.

 

I'm glad to see this being discussed more..

does anyone have pics of the bsm sensors mounted at a lower location? I've seen some fabricators (i.e. Rci & fab fours) claim this to be a solution but I haven't seen how it looks. i'm also wondering if you have to recalibrate the sensors for it to work?