Understanding Steel Bumpers?

I have a '17 TRD OR on order and am trying to set myself up ahead of time as much as possible. Sorry if there is already a thread on this, but I couldn't find it/them.

I don't exactly understand the basics of the steel bumpers but like them for these reasons:
-Aggressive look
-Ability to mount winch and additional lighting
-Protection

BUT, I have questions, especially on front steel bumpers:

1. When adding these, especially front ones, since (I assume) they are heavier than plastic, do you need to install any different suspension components (springs, shocks, etc.)? if you are not planning on a lift at the same time? If not necessary, do people generally?

2. I know they range from low profile ones to full on with extensive coverage, but in general, what is the weight range for front and rear steel bumpers?

3. Are they ever made in any materials other than steel?

4. What are the big brands and which are best in quality?

5. Do you know if any come with holes or other components to accomodate the parking sonar in the stock bumpers with the tech package? If not, know if anyone has modded that themselves?

6. Is there anything someone should consider with these that would make them shy away from them?
Thank you. I appreciate this forum very much.

 

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ARB

 

1. It all depends. The heavier the bumper the more your front end will drop to the ground. For instance, I have a steel bumper and winch, oversized battery, supercharger, skid plates, sliders and had to increase spring rating to #700 to keep it lifted. You could get away with stock suspension however you'll loose downtravel when going over bumps

2-3. There is a nice threads for 2nd gen on trail armor. Would be nice if some one would do the same for 3rd gens (hint hint OP). My steel one is about 160lb. There are much lighter ones (i.e. Aluminum)

4. Lots of great brands out there. Check out some build pages. Pretty much pick what you like. I bought ARB due to it being proven, I like he look, and works with airbags.

I'll let the rest of the forum answer the 3rd gen questions. Lots of great folks with more knowledge than myself.

 

I've also always wondered how they affect air bags.

 

1. When adding these, especially front ones, since (I assume) they are heavier than plastic, do you need to install any different suspension components (springs, shocks, etc.)? if you are not planning on a lift at the same time? If not necessary, do people generally?

Depends on how much weight you have in the front bumper. With or without a winch, full plate, hybrid. Yes you will have to usually change up the suspension a bit to do it right.

2. I know they range from low profile ones to full on with extensive coverage, but in general, what is the weight range for front and rear steel bumpers?

Typically a few hundred pounds

3. Are they ever made in any materials other than steel?

I've seen stainless and aluminum

4. What are the big brands and which are best in quality?

That is all a matter of opinion sometimes the big brands that can toss out lots of bumpers fast arent always the best quality. Look around for something local if its available to go check out and see for yourself.

5. Do you know if any come with holes or other components to accomodate the parking sonar in the stock bumpers with the tech package? If not, know if anyone has modded that themselves?

The front is easy most take that into account. The rear it depends on what bumper you want some accommodate it and some dont.

6. Is there anything someone should consider with these that would make them shy away from them?
Thank you. I appreciate this forum very much.

Well some require you cut the fenders in both the front and rear so take that into account. The plastic is easy to trim but for some the actual fender isn't the kind of project someone wants on a brand new truck.

I'm no specialist but I hope I was able to help somewhat.

 

A real quick stupid answer to a stupid question, No steel bumpers are not ever made out of materials other than steel, but plate bumpers are also made out of aluminum.

 

1- Typically you'll want to add something to beef up the front. There are a ton of options. Cheapest it's probably Bilstein 5100 shocks with Old Man Emu springs.

2- You'll see anything from 70-170 lbs depending on material. Plus winch.

3- Aluminum is available from a few manufacturers.

4- ARB, Relentless, CBI and Pelfreybilt are all very popular.

5- Some do. Believe Relentless is one for the treatment rear bumper.

6- Any time you modify a vehicle you leave yourself open to a lawsuit from an overzealous attorney should your vehicle be involved in anything. Be aware.

 

1. They are much heavier, cant give a number on Tacoma bumpers but my jeeps bumper was close to 80lbs before adding a winch, it dropped the front end a bit, you can compensate as you see necessary

2. maybe 60 to 100lbs? I dont have real input yet.

3. The sarcastic answer has already been said. Yes aftermarket bumpers do also come in aluminum and are much lighter but will get gouged easier if you rub them on a rock and cost a fair bit more.

4. CBI, SSO, Pelfreybilt, C4, are the ones I see most often on the forum, ARB is the biggest name but that bumper isnt most peoples style.

5. Some do. C4 even has a rear bumper that accommodates the BSM in a clean fashion. Only one I've seen so far that has done that.

6. Cost, willingness to permanently modify your truck as many will require cutting to fit.

They do but not in a way most people think as the sensor is an accelerometer on the frame and not some device in the bumper. So if you're in a front end collision you do lose crumple-zone and most require the removal of the crash bar so if anything the airbags will deploy sooner because more energy in a crash is being directed to the frame and ultimately the occupants of the cab and not absorbed by the bumper and crash bar. Also expect to see more damage to the truck, yourself and whatever it is that you hit.

 

They are heavy af. I wish there was someone more motivated than me to break into HDPE or something similar for armor. I wouldn't mind bumping stuff or scraping it up and it flexes unlike a boxed in mild steel structure.

 

I'm into BDSM. That any help?

 

I see your view and may work for you but it would look terrible after a mild weekend off road, I need to look good mallcrawling to work. But would be interesting to see one with a metal skeleton and plastic plates, maybe make them replaceable.

 

HDPE would make for a piss poor bumper. It can't be preloaded without encountering material creep, isn't strong enough to protect anything by itself - or even hold a structure that looks like a bumper - without being heavier than aluminum/steel equivalents. And it'd cost an ass-ton.

HDPE would, however, make good plating for aluminum bumpers, though. Sacrificial panels that could be replaced easily on the highest-wear areas.

"Or similar". Maybe something like fiberglass?

 

Fiberglass would be too brittle I would think, maybe UHMW for the sacrificial panels.

 

That's the joke.

Stock bumpers are made from fiberglass and ABS, most likely.

 

I'm over fiberglass, it's sacrifical but not to me considering I have to pay for that shit lol. I know jack shit about plastics, but yeah basically what you said, sacrificial panels etc.

 

I am in a similar scenario. I just got a Fab Fours premium steel bumper. It looks awesome! It does make the front sag but not a ton, I have stock suspension. I am curious about installing this MaxTrac leveling kit:
http://www.headstrongoffroad.com/store/p32/MaxTrac_2.5"_Strut_Spacer_2wd/4wd_-_05__Tacoma.html

I know everyone on here hates spaces and blocks, but I can't afford a full lift right now. Eventually I'd like to do a OME set up but it is just gonna have to wait. In the mean time though, how bad would it be to do the leveling kit to counter the sag from the bumper? Would it drastically affect offroading perfomance? I dont do super intense rock crawling in moab but I do like to get funky I heard it can effect down travel but is it really that bad if I plan on upgrading to a full lift in a year or two? Sorry for the stupid questions, I dont know anything, trying to learn.

 

I have a plate bumper on my truck. Its made out of aluminum, only weighs 55-60lbs, add a few more lbs if you had hoops. Steel would be around 100-180lbs brand depending. With my aluminum bumper, my stock suspension didnt sag at all, if it did it would be only .25-.50in at most.

I got mine through having a taxi wreck my stock bumper. Me I also live in deer/moose country, so its extra piece of mind knowing theres something more than plastic and thin aluminum up front. Also for the case of having someone back into me again. Theres less chance of crucial components being damaged, and of course the offroad benefits.