Bumper guards?

Hello TacomaWorld!

A few weeks ago, my Taco was the victim of a hit and run in a parking lot. Fortunately, the damage wasn't severe (Only about $2K in damages). According to a witness, a Jeep Gladiator was parked next to me and when pulling out of the spot, turned too sharply and clipped the front of my bumper, closest to the passenger side (see pictures).

So, my question to everyone is should I get a bumper/brush guard to prevent future occurrences or should I just chalk this up as really bad luck and the chances of it happening again are slim to none?
And if get a bumper/brush guard, what would you recommend? Don't need anything super heavy duty - I don't do any off roading. It would be more to prevent things like this happening again.

 

Adding anything that isn't a replacement HD bumper would just be something else to replace if this happened again. Those things are strictly decorative unless you just want to push a Wal-Mart buggy out of the way. Just hope it doesn't happen again lol

 

I appreciate the input! Ok, so I'm taking that as 1 vote towards "just bad luck and hope it doesn't happen again." lol!

 

This is what I have, and minor accidents like yours are why I have it. I know it's best uses are for low-speed accidents like this. Ironically, I noticed last week that there is a scuff in the hoop-bar on the bumper now. I guess someone backed into me? But the only damage to my truck is a minor scuff, which I spray painted back over with some matte black spray paint.

 

I wouldn't, not going to help. Chances it happens again, are pretty slim

 

I LOVE the color of your truck, man!!!!

Do you have a link or know the product/brand of that bumper?

 

Even though you didn't tag my comment, I'm assuming you're talking to me. You must be talking to me...because no one else on this site has a truck as awesome as mine! My local shop installed mine for me for about $200. A lot of members on this site have installed it themselves, but I couldn't bring myself to cutting into the bumper. Plus, I didn't want to fuck it up, so I paid someone to do it right.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/body-armor-4x4-tacoma-hiline-series-front-bumper-tc-19339.html

 

This is why I park far far away

 

While this bumper is very nice looking, it would not have helped where you got hit. I vote not to add anything you really don't need. I was going to do something like this when my wife's 4Runner got hit and run in the left corner of the rear fascia. I determined it was too expensive to throw an A/M bumper on it. If shite is gonna happen, it's gonna happen.

 

I agree. But there are other bumpers that cover/protect the area near the fog light (where the OP has damage):

https://www.extremeterrain.com/tacoma-front-bumpers.html?page=4

I'm not saying he should or should not get a steel bumper. I'm just telling him there are options out there if he decides:

1) He can afford it.
2) Wants it on his truck.
3) Likes the look of said bumper on his truck.

 

Thank you everyone so much for your feedback/thoughts/opinions! Truly appreciated and so glad I found this site a couple years ago! Happy holidays everyone!

 

I also vote metal bumper. Not because it would prevent any future occurrence - it wont. It just makes you look cool.

 

I'm also team BodyArmor bumper. No it doesn't protect the full front but I enjoy the little piece of mind and the look of it. It looks very OEM in my opinion and I use the lightbar so much more than I thought I would

 

Way better choice than armor and combat parking experience in todays ultra compressed (more is better - an American mantra) and skinny parking spaces.

 

While we're on the subject of rockin' bumpers, guess what I recently learned the hard way?







(Y'all might want to run a zip tie through your decorative shackles.)

 

My fancy-ass-color-coordinated shackles have pins to hold them in place with a wing nut/bolt.

 

I like the look but cutting the factory bumper is a nah…

 

Maybe I need one of them. Do they sell singles? I only recovered one of mine. The wilderness and hubris decided to keep the other.

 

My shackles stay in the truck with the tow strap until needed.

 

-6.2 mall looker points