2000 4wd ex-cab

Yep, either that or go with a lighter bumper or back to stock bumper. The weight it and the sliders have added is noticeable(power and overall feel). I'm not sure that turning this particular truck into a die hard off road machine is the direction I want to go with it. I'm now considering the light weight and nimble option.

 

Copy that, it’s all about what you want to use it for...
Do you know what the 4xInnovations bumper weighs with the additional hoops? A lighter option might be the ARB- I think mine is around 85#. My original bumpers were both pretty hammered.
Looks like you are soon to be tightroping around the rabbit hole of mods, it is easy to see how these things can escalate armor to gearing....
That’s where I’m at especially due to my use patterns.

For me it is a get a ways off the road camp and go riding, hiking and some fishing, so capable off road performance, necessary extraction gear and functional armor- try as I might there are still some navigate by Braille moments, prep for some extended SW trips. Unfortunately there is also the work stuff. But what else would I do?

 

I've always tried to keep things as light as possible on my truck. Hence my front and rear tube bumpers. They still aren't the lightest options out there (aluminum is too rich for my blood), but they're definitely lighter than some of those full wrap around plate bumpers.
With being a 3rz, I need all the help I can get on weight to keep my truck from becoming and absolute pig on the road.

Sliders are a necessity though imo so I wouldn't do without those. Maybe you could look at something like the TG rock defense bumper. Minimalist, and has a winch mount.
https://trail-gear.com/armor/tacoma-rock-defense-low-profile-front-bumper-95-04.html

 

ARB is one that I considered from the beginning and am considering swapping over to. My current bumper is ~105 lbs and the OEM was 21 lbs. I read that on the 98-00, you have to remove the crush cans. Is that true thats unfortunate but it would make the ARB even lighter. I doubt I will ever add a winch and my current 4xI is making me want to add a winch and lights in the bumper.

 

Thanks for the advise. That makes a lot of sense Ian.

 

Correct, I believe I did have to remove the crush cans, but the bumper mount brackets have an accordion crush type configuration. I was surprised at how light the bumper was, a minor wrestling match getting on the truck as I recall.
No cutting was required, I did do the end cap mod- the pass side frame horn was a bit caved in from the e truck hitting the tow hook it looked like, so that part was cut out and replaced. Sorry I didn’t document that part very well, once I get going on something it sometimes slips my mind to take lots of pictures unless they are for reassembly

 

Cool. I wonder what the crush cans weigh.

 

I have confirmed that the inside seat rail on the 4runner seats bolt right up to the 2000 Tacoma cab. I'm a bit confused on swapping the outer rails though.

@JBTacoma
I'm a little confused. I know I need to grind off these bump stops. I have ground them off on the other seat and the rail won't slide all the way off. Something inside the rail is preventing it:


But it looks like the video shows finding off the other side(inside the rail) of these rivers where the foot attaches:


If I grind off where the foot attaches, then won't the foot come off? If so, then wouldn't it make sense to just swap the feet?

 

You have to grind off the rivet where the foot attaches to get the bearing cage out then it will slide off.

I have not looked at swapping the feet but I guess it could be an option

 

Ok, thanks. I was thinking that but not sure. Then put a bolt back in its place I suppose.

 

I met up with @ThunderOne in Nashville this afternoon to check out his ARB bumper. Nice fella and nice truck. I'm impressed with the look and aesthetics of the ARB bumper. It definitely looks even better in person(looks a bit bulky to me in some pics on some trucks). I feel it's a valid option at 85lbs(64lbs more than the stock bumper). It was especially cool looking at someone else's 1st gen truck since I don't know many folks with 1st gen's.

 

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoyed chatting!

 

They are well designed, to push/deflect whatever you bump into under the vehicle not over on the hood, I’m guessing maybe kangaroo critters?

 

Original cloth seats weigh 28 lbs each and the 4 runner seats weigh 32 lbs each. I'm happy with the small gain. Here's a few pics that show exactly where I ground to remove the lower seat sliders. Like I said before, the inner rails bolt right up so here is pic ormf where I ground the two bumps off the forward outer bracket.

I used a 4.5" angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and here is the after pic.


Here's a pic of where I ground off the head of the river(inside the rail). Screwdrive is pointing. Note the paper towel stuffing in the rail to help prevent metal shavings from spreading.

Here's the difference between the outside rails. 4runner on bottom.

 

Wasn't expecting to have to swap the seat belt receivers but they dont interchange with the belt buckle. Came out pretty darn nice. I guess it took me about 4 hours.

 

@OG_Tacoma
I finished installing them today. I pulled the seat cover off and used flex tape to repair the tear in the upper seat back. Will see how it holds up. This was the first time I have ever pulled seat covers off. It wasn't too bad.

 

Looks good, I bet they are comfortable.

 

Glad to see them go to a good home!

WOW, nice job! They look even better in there than I thought!!

 

I have plans 45 minutes away tomorrow so it will give me an idea. They seem pretty comfy but my lower back makes the decisions on "comfortable".

Thanks.

 

I had a hole in one of mine, I took it to a shop close by and they replaced the bad section and it looked like new.
You will love the seats compared to the Tacoma seats. You can get a center console out of an 03 or 04 and have round cup holders, I replaced mine in both my 2000s