Demello Off-Road 2016 Tacoma Baja low profile hoop bumper install

Hey all,

Posting up my bumper install.

The directions for the install are very similar to the earlier models but thought you might want to see what is involved in cutting and removal.

• Remove Grille
• Next step tape off cut line on either side
• That helped me determine how much plastic wheel well to cut
• I then took a box cutter (razor blade) to cut wheel well. Now I went straight across and it might have been better to dip down a bit in a bowl shape.
• Then it was time to cut the straight line (attempt to cut the straight line..)
• Next I removed the fogs and the fog frames
• Then the bumper essentially was easy to pull apart
• Next removed the aluminum crash bar from frame
• There are two frame extensions on either side of the frame section at the bottom of the radiator. I removed those and the left tow hook.
• I was able to install bumper myself by balancing the bumper on a tall wiffle ball bucket
• The bolts provided worked great on the upper bolt assembly but I opted for picking up shorter 4" bolts for the lower bolt assembly to avoid contact with radiator/AC piping on right side
• I also opted to wait on my winch install, as it is on my land cruiser still and I need a new Syn line and re-grease on winch, plus still running stock suspension for now
• I was able to reinstall OEM fogs by cutting mounting holes off of fog housing, wrapped cut area with electrical tape (so not to scratch bumper inside fog holes and then used large c-lamps to hold in place

All in all pretty easy install, bumper fits great! I really like the profile and the quality is very good on the bumper. Highly recommend this as a solid option. If you have to install front license plate, do that before you install. I could not get my "nuts on the bolts" (to tight for my fingers), so I used large washers and centered on the "D O" on the front. Sorry about that Jason!

 

Looks good man

 

Damn that looks good!!!!!!!

 

Hella good reps...Nice looking truck bro!

 

Very nice. IMO it was that bumper or the low pro c4 fab. I went with the c4 lopro still waiting on it. I often think I should have went full bumper.

 

Favorite bumper for the 3rd gen! Looks great

 

looks great dude, job well done!

 

That is one GOOD LOOKING bumper!

 

Very Nice....Good Job

 

One of the better looking bumpers for the 3rd gen IMO

 

Thanks all, I will post up some desert pics soon as well. It needs to get some desert dirt on it soon.

 

My favorite bumper as well. If it could just hold both a light bar, and a winch I'd have one on order weeks ago

 

Awesome, I like that you can re-use the stock fog lights.

 

Because of aftermarket bumpers like these the Turd gen is finally starting to grow on me.

 

Seems like lots of options for light bar mounting. Here is one.

 

Looks really good. One of the best 3rd gen front bumpers I have seen.

 

This setup is clean. Beautiful truck!

 

How did you know where to cut?

I asked CBI about theirs, and they say to remove plastic, install the bumper, measure, reinstall plastic, mark & cut... That sound about right, or did you have some reference available?

I was honestly hoping for a die cut temporary sticker to align with some body features and just zip off the unwanted stuff.

 

Nice write up, Chris. Lookin' good.

 

Leap of faith...... It was nerve racking.... I zoomed in and studied the ICON Taco pictures on the Demello web site and also the photo of the Quicksand Taco a few posts up.

I have also done 3 bumpers previously FJC, 4Runner and Land Cruiser and one snorkel FJC. I knew I needed to not rush it and make sure it was in the right spot. I wanted a bit of space between the plastic and the bumper.

I decided to use painters tape above and below the cut, so it was easy to follow.

Then when the tape is where you want it, you see where to trim the plastic inner wheel well. You gotta do that first, so that your hand saw can glide along free on the inside, when cutting the bumper.

Still up close my driver side is not as perfect as the passenger side. I did the passenger first also, thinking practice side..... My issue with the driver side was that I did not trim the wheel well enough and my saw got hung up a few times.. Probably only noticeable by me..