Heavy vs lightweight bumpers

Just a quick question about aftermarket bumpers and weight issues. Apologies if it’s the wrong thread or this has been answered elsewhere. First post and I haven’t seen much on this specific question.

I just picked up a 2016 TRD offfroad with an arb summit series bumper and side steps. So the bumper is 180 and I believe the side steps are about 80. I know that the suspension kit installed is rated for a bit less than the current weight on there. Obviously that will have to change. But my question is, does anybody think it’s worth it to remove/sell the bumper and steps? Then I could replace the bumper with a 90pound option and forget about the steps.

I feel like it might improve mpgs by 1-3. But I’m already running 33inch MT’s, planning a wedge camper build with a semi-permanent interior setup, and I would be surprised if I don’t add a full set of skids and sliders eventually…

I think if I wasn’t doing the additional mods then removing the current arb setup would be worth it, but considering the plans for the vehicle, it all seems like a lot of effort for an increase of 1-2mpg down the road…

 

Post pictures of your new truck. I’d say just remove the steps to begin with.

 

Kinda thinking that removing just the steps wouldn’t improve fuel efficiency in any noticeable way. And they do provide a fair bit of protection.

Kind of a goofy rig but I found it for a steal‍♂️

 

What's on the roof above the light bar? From your picture that stuff up top and the snorkel combined are probably causing more drag than the bumper.

Which MT tires are you running? Super heavy tires will kick mpg in the balls more than sliders or a bumper.

I can't imagine the front bumper costing a full mpg (definitely not if you're tracking speeds under 55 mph.)

 

Just a rack and a solar panel. I should probably remove the solar panel for now.
Open Country 255/85R16

thank you

 

Another way to look at it is the current bumper is using 15-20% of the total available payload. If you want to add a camper and all this other stuff you need to save weight where you can to avoid being ridiculously overweight.

 

That's a great tire and you don't have to worry about easy punctures or sidewall cuts being 10 ply tires at 61 lbs each.

The stock goodyears that came on your truck weighed around 36 lbs.

 

Anybody think that avoiding sliders/skids and going with a sub-100 pound bumper would make a real difference in fuel efficiency? I’d like the protection but at the end of the day I think I would prefer the efficiency for those 10k plus mile trips…

 

With the rest of your plans for the truck fuel economy should be the last point of consideration. You simply won’t have any, regardless of what bumper or sliders you have.

 

Or maybe I should just shutup about fuel efficiency and just accept that it’s a rig now… lol

 

Your truck has the radar signature of a Tacoma with a snorkel, a roof rack, a wide hefty front bumper and probably some skid plates. Not exactly stealthy. Add the beefy tires and you have a truck that is definitely NOT going to "sneak past" the air.

On the positive view ... you have a winch, a roof rack, a snorkel, beefy tires, skid plates ...