Front bumper for winch

I find that many front bumpers for my 2014 require cutting the stock bumper.
I found one that says that it doesn't require any cutting.
I didn't find anything in the forum search specific to not modifying/cutting the stock bumper.
What front bumper would you recommend for a winch that doesn't require any cutting?

 

Do you mean a full bolt on bumper? On just replacing the lowest portion?
Both shown below.

 

I'm thinking just the lower portion based on appearance preference.

 

Then you will be cutting. You would need to replace the entire bumper cover with a new bolt on bumper to avoid any cutting.

The low profile ones that just go in the black part require you to cut out the black part. Technically the black piece is just a cover but it snaps onto a piece that is continuous from the rest of the painted bumper cover. It's honestly not that hard to do.

C4, SSO, and Warn all make versions that fit the 2nd gen. There may be others too, I just can't remember off the top of my head. I personally have the Warn one on my 2013 and love it.

 

Thank you.

I found one that said no cutting was required, but when I looked at the detailed instructions I couldn't see how. It looks like it is required for the style I'm looking at.

I wanted to ask everyone, to see if I'm missing something.

 

^Stock plastic bumper cover is cheap, and it will get gouged and crack on the trail anyway. Truck is 11 years old. Start cutting.

An oscillating tool is said to work well for cutting plastic. Body saw works too.

 

I just finished reworking my Shrockworks bumper so that it will no longer try to rip off my fenders and destroy my core support again.

Just realize that the frame twists like a pretzel and at a different rate from the body.

 

I'm running an ARB 2005-2011 model on my 2012 with no cutting involved.

 

I chose a hidden front receiver hitch. Cheapest, easiest way to mount a winch on a Tacoma. It does require cutting a small opening in the grill and you have to buy a winch cradle. Everything else is stock and if you want to take the winch off it's as easy as pulling the hitch pin. Mine locks. I used jumper cable clamps on the ends of the wiring that I clamp onto the battery when the winch isn't needed.

If necessary I could rig up longer wiring with long jumper cables and easily move the winch to the rear receiver if I need to pull from that direction.

2005 - 2015 Tacoma Front Hidden Hitch Receiver-1111001

 

I didn't think of that, but now I will. Thanks.

 

I just finished installing the bumper with winch.
The plastic bumper plastic is soft and easy to cut with a razor knife. I was worried it would be hard.


I was concerned about the bumper corners losing the bracket / support to the aluminum OEM bumper, so I made my own supports from some sheet aluminum.



Has anyone else done this, or am I worried about nothin?

 

I installed a hidden winch bumper.
Had a guy who is local custom cnc cut one.

Initially I had to cut the bumper to a chin. But realised I can keep it super minimal.

US off-road has one very similar.

 

I mounted mine by myself. Not hard. I too was nervous about cutting anything, but it was a piece of cake.

 

Did your OEM aluminum bumper have metal brackets to the fender corners? If it did, were you able to reuse them, or did you just leave 'em off?

 

No brackets that I recall.

 

How do you get to the freespool lever?

 

Open the hood.

 

Ok

 

Same on mine.