Filler trim after steel bumper

I have a 2014 tacoma base, and just replaced a busted OEM bumper with steel. The steel bumper would not go on with the supports that hold the two filler trim pieces under the headlights, so i had to remove them. Currently the space those fillers go is bare and doesn’t look good. Has anyone found a good way to secure the trim after removing those supports?

 

Maybe the vendor of your bumper has ideas or even parts for that?

 

Need more information. Which bumper?

 

Its this one:
https://www.nilight.com/a/p/products/2005-2015-toyota-tacoma-front-bumper-full-width-solid-steel-winch-plate

I sent an email to Nilight. Embarrassed that i didnt ask them first. Will update when i get a response.

 

I'm gonna bet you're going to need to go full custom for the fillers. All of the photos of that bumper installed on the manufacturer's page are Photoshopped. Look closely at the filler trim in the photos and you can see that the geometry doesn't make sense, and several of the photos have the bumper scaled incorrectly/different lighting angles than the base photo.

 

Customize it or return it. The Amazon page warns that it is a frequently returned item. Google images search results show no 2nd gens with this bumper, tacomaworld has no results, you're in uncharted territory, specifically; but many have had to modify front bumpers to fit better, I'm sure. I went with a local metal shop's product that I was happy with so I can't speak there.

 

So nilight finally responded with something substantial. After several emails and finally after mentioning that the product page is inaccurate, indicating a possible fraudulent business practice, They offered a $100 refund and claim that they have never had this complaint, and suggested i work with an auto repair shop for the “install”. The person emailing me didnt ever seem to really understand what i was telling them, and offered no explanation as to how anyone would get the trim back on for the product photos. Looks like they did photoshop the product pics for sure. Im gonna ask a metal shop to fabricate a couple parts at some point.

 

Post some pictures!.....I would think you could zip tie your old one back on. This is interesting, can you show us why you can't. I seen some folks that cut their old plastic bumper and use that as filler like for ARB bumpers. Good Luck!

 

Here are some pics. In one you can see the support that wont fit with the space the bumper takes up. Maybe i could remove the piece on the support that holds the filler trim, use it to grab the trim, and make some “creative supports” somehow?

 

Yikes, I wouldn't be happy with that fit either. Good luck!

 

If you want to embrace it pick up a heat gun, a pop riveter, and a big sheet of ABS. You can get the ABS in 24"x36" and x48" fairly inexpensively, and you're replacing a cosmetic plastic part with a other- no need for the $$$ on custom fabrication.

Look up "custom fender liner tutorial" to get a rough idea of how to work with the stuff if you're not familiar.

 

Does this pass the smell test of something you want hanging on your truck that ultimately is the literal first point of contact in an "oh crap" moment?

 

Honestly it looks like it will hold up. Its SOLID, just short-sighted in cosmetic design IMO.

 

Thanks!! I finally stopped to watch a video. Looks super simple to do, i think ill try it for the splash guards.

 

Hmmm.

I looked all around for an installation manual for this bumper online, couldn't find any. Also couldn't find any photos showing how it's constructed / welded / attached on the back side.

No way to evaluate without further info, but I am skeptical that a $550 Amazon special bumper is designed with adequate attachment & reinforcement where it is affixed to the Tacoma front frame rails.