Bumper help (yes I’ve read all the threads on this)

I live in a rural area of CO and am considering getting a front bumper to protect against deer and elk.
The ARB is popular where I’m at and for good reason. It’s strong and tested and affordable.

There’s another company I’m considering as well. They’re called HeftyFab and they make aluminum bumpers for the 3rd gen. 60lbs for the alum vs 160+ for the ARB steel bumper.

if I get the arb I’ll have to get new suspension but I plan to upgrade regardless over time. Maybe not immediately unless necessary.

how do you guys think the HeftyFab aluminum will hold up against animal strikes?

I do mountain passes, go camping and it’s my daily. No hardcore crawling but I do see rock as I’m in CO.

initially I wanted to keep my truck built as light as possible but I don’t want to sacrifice quality or protection either. I do want my headlights protected which the ARB offers. I think the hefty also has the prerunner hoops as an addition.

I’m open to hearing it all. thanks

 

I don’t know the answer to your question, but you can ask them here or give them a call. I’ve used them in the past and I think their products are very good. Chris is a good guy. @HeftyFabworks

 

I'm pretty sure I saw pics here with an aluminium bumper after a deer. It was cracked and bent, but protected the truck. If you want the bumper undamaged after a hit, I would go steel personally

 

Yea I did ask him. Haven’t called him yet though. Also this bumper installed is almost 2x the cost at least. So that would cover the suspension.

 

This is great thanks for the reply!

 

Sure. If you were interested, I think it was a "Tacomas in Accidents" or something like that.

 

There are several bumper fabricators that offer their stuff in both steel and aluminum....as stated, if you want it for deer protection you'd be better with steel - but either way it's gonna bend if you're doing anything over a parade's pace and it's a full grown animal

 

I can't imagine anything would hold up to a deer hit completely; you'll at least tweak it and crack the powder coat on a steel one, and aluminum is anybody's guess

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plate-bumpers-after-impact-with-pics.379600/

Here are some good pics. There are a few steel that hit cars and come out ok. Some cows, all kinds of fun.

 

No shit?!?! That I gotta watch, must be impressive fabrication

A company I drove semi for had a driver hit a moose with a 80k tractor/trailer and the motor/trans were totalled, sandwiched the truck like an accordion. Crazy a truck bumper can withstand any large animal impact!!

 

Few people in there saying they hit deer with no damage with steel

Assuming you trust the story teller on speed and whatnot. Not all were undamaged for sure, but some impressively held up while the other party took a beating.

 

Yea this is what I’m hearing for steel. Some people only got scratches on their bumpers. Others maybe a slight dent or bend but the ARB seems like it’s the way to go. It’s designed for kangaroos. I’ve watched a few successful YT videos on animals strikes but wanted to get more opinions! Thanks everyone

 

One of our customers recently creamed a deer runng 55 with one of our steel bumpers not even a scratch. Looked to be a young deer. Our ram bumper hit an adult deer at 65 and only bed was where the fairlead is supposed to bolt to other than that no damage.

 

Thanks for sharing everyone. I'm leaning towards getting an ARB. Now for suspension