Offroading Mishap

What's up everyone. I did a bit of offroading today with some buddies out in the Anza Borrego desert. It was a great time, but near the end of the trip I had a slight mishap and came down on a boulder, thus denting and bending my rear bumper out of place. The bumper I had was stock and I had been thinking about upgrading it soon anyways, so I figured this is a decent opportunity either way.

I just wanted to poke the crowd looking for any personal suggestions regarding rear bumpers that you can attest to and know can take a beating. I'm looking for a heavy duty, powdered steel, black bumper that would plug and play - not necessarily trying to modify the body to get it on. Price range I'm looking for is anywhere between $700-$1200.

The truck I have is a 2014 XSP-X Tacoma. I live in the Northern San Diego area so if anyone has any suggestions for local mechanics as well that you know have fair pricing and quality work, that would be much appreciated.

While we are on the topic, I'll throw in some shots from today. Very open to suggestions for additional mods while the doors are open.

 

I’ve been thinking about these guys…

https://www.bayareametalfab.com/BUMPERS_c_23.html

(basic rear bumper is $650)

 

Personally, I’d pull off the bull bar. I’ve heard it can be a damage multiplier in an accident.

 

Plus it reduces your approach angle for off-roading.

 

What would y'all replace it with? I've looked at those powdered steel front bumpers with the built in skid plates - I've heard decent things about those.

 

Just take it off and get skid plates. You don't need an aftermarket front bumper to run skids.

For the rear bumper, decide on a style you like and go from there. You could do tube bumper or plate bumper, with or without swingout(s), in a straight bolt on or high clearance that requires you to cut your bedsides but offers more protection.

 

4x innovations flows with the truck hides ugly gaps and is purr sexy and affordable @traxman25

 

Berto, that's super clean! Thank you for sharing for sure. These bumpers are still my favorite bumper that we build.

@Piposterous Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Just say fuck it, and go high clearance. You’ll smack it on boulders less often.

 

I want to do this. What do you use as far as a cutting wheel to avoid paint chipping at the cut line?

 

I’d get one of these:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ath-fab-2005-2015-high-clearance-rear-bumper.646680/

https://www.relentlessfabrication.c...05-15-tacoma-high-clearance-rear-plate-bumper

 

https://www.runnin4tacos.com/products/outgear-solutions-high-clearance-tube-bumper-3rd-gen-tacoma-2016-2021

Want this for the weight savings.

 

Also in the, same fashion as the bull bar, ditch the cab mounted side steps and get some real sliders. Those side steps are just gonna get bent up into the cab and cause all sorts of damage. Plus they hang way low.

 

4" angle grinder with a metal cutoff wheel. I used masking tape then hit the cut with primer/paint and covered it with fender trim.

I still drag it occasionally and it's due for some touch up paint but I'd have to be getting pretty wild before it would bend.

 

Just rattle can primer and paint?

 

Sorry for the thread jack, OP!

 

I use self etching primer and rustoleum bed liner in rattle cans on the bumper and duplicolor in a rattle can on the bedside cut.

 

this stuff works guud 2…

 

I appreciate the advice from everyone, these are all projects I’ll take one piece at a time. I definitely agree with the side runners that I have, they do hang low and they hid on rocks while off roading quite frequently. I also need to upgrade my front skid plate. The one I have on these seems like it’s cheap, flimsy aluminum.

As for the rear bumper, I owe y’all an update. See pics below.




Next project will be to connect the two LEDs in parallel, then route the wires up front to the fuse box - I want to put an independent switch in the cabin so I can turn the lights on and off by themselves.