Bumper Help

Hey all
I drive a 2009 base Tacoma, fully stock, besides newish brakes. Today when I got to college I did some stuff in the bed(just rearranging, cause sliding and shit), and I noticed the plastic part underneath the license plate(separate from the bumber) is starting to come off on one side, and the large circle in the middle popped off. Anybody know what this is called, and if I can go without it? As well as what the circle(and the hole underneath) is for?
Muchas gracias

 

The hole in the bumper is for a tow hitch ball. The plastic is just a cover for it.

I might be a little concerned with the rust since you're in Virginia. Could be pretty bad under the plastic.

 

Seeing that would make me want to inspect the frame for pending rust failure.

 

If you get under the bumper, there are tabs holding the cover on in three sections. It's kind of tedious to get off, but all you do is squeeze the tabs from underneath and the plastic bumper cover will pop up and off. Wire brush and a rust reformer like naval jelly and then paint it and you should be good. If anything that might also be the cause of the cover coming up in the first place. Rust could cause the steel to swell and "de-laminate" (I'm sure there's a better term for it, but it escapes me at the moment) and one of the tabs might have popped out of place.

 

Above info is correct - don't use a ball in that hole for actually towing anything though. I'd hate to see how much mine is rusted

 

Don't worry, I have nothing to tow anyway Thanks guys

 

It just recently got inspected and passed, idk if they check the frame or not when they do though. I'm assuming from that that it's not rusted enough to be a problem

 

If you're speaking state inspection, I'd call and ask the shop if they do that.

And since the Toyota frames often rot inside out, more tha just looking is required for a quality inspection.

All I'm suggesting is its worth your attention.

 

Yeah, and I appreciate it Either way once I'm out of college a new truck is definitely on my list of things to get