Hit a deer, need bumper ideas

as the title says, I hit a deer and need some ideas for a bumper. I have some question though. If I get a steel plate one, will I have to beef up my suspension?

 

Is that an ARB?

 

It depends on how heavy your bumper is .

Build one out of 1" plate (extreme example) now that might need some work .

I have the old Smitty Built with the Winch with just new front suspension parts only because it was time

Works ok at Factory Height

 

So like if I were to buy an arb or something would I have to?

 

Yes

 

And how much would that cost? Like what all would I need to buy?

 

You could just put adjustable coilovers in the front and then you could tune it to the ride height you want once the front bumper is on. Although id probably just re-do the rear while you are at it if you have the cash, its pretty cheap.

 

Could get away with heavier coilovers in the front. Bilstins 5100 are popular. So is OME. Could spend anywhere from $400-3k

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/best-price-for-arb-bumper.423433/

If you go with an ARB this should help...

 

Would I need to redo my suspension of I went with a CBI bumper?

 

Doubt it. Tube bumpers usually aren't that heavy compared to plate bumpers. Still very strong though

 

Is the CBI not plate?

 

Relentless Fabrication makes a great looking bumper and a DIY kit if you want to weld it yourself. I have been toying with MOVE bumpers (movebumpers.com) to see what they are about. They have a standard bumper kit 3/16" weld yourself for $395 plus shipping. Cost is $470 with a winch mount and shipping is about half of what I've seen other places. If @RelentlessFab has any DIY kits in stock, I would jump on one if I were you. He does have a long lead time on getting them shipped as i'm pretty sure he had a decent sale a month or two ago.

 

I have a 2014 access cab, SR5. I got a Pelfrybuilt steel bumper with full hoops. I did nothing to my suspension and it rides great on the highway and when bajing around on windy mountain roads.

It rides fine and I feel no need at all to do anything to my suspension with this mod. I believe the manufacturer said the bumper weights around 160 lbs..perhaps 180.

Havn't hit a deer with it yet, but it seems like it would handle it just fine. It's very solid.

BTW, I've also found that this forum is riddled with people who post like they know a lot about a choice like this, but really all they have done is read a lot of threads and have no actual experiance with the upgrade they are posting about.

Here's some pics after the bodyshop installed the bumper

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-off-your-pelfreybilt-gear.314246/page-11#post-11475347

 

I had the Avid "light bar" and hit a deer doing 35mph without a single scratch. It is waaaaay stronger than it looks and you won't have to do anything to your suspension. I will be getting another one for my current rig when I gets the cash.

 

The fact of the matter is that if you put a steel plate bumper on (~140 lbs. average) it will change the handling characteristics noticeably. Its because the weight is cantilevered out over the front end. I put on new coilovers, and the truck still handles differently even with the stiffer springs. If you put on a tube bumper or an aluminum bumper (~80 lbs. or less), you will notice it a lot less and probably don't have to upgrade your suspension.

Also, CBI makes steel plate bumpers as well, I think they are lighter than average but are still heavy compared to the stock plastic bumper.

So the rule of thumb as far as I'm concerned is: ifs its steel plate, you probably ought to upgrade the suspension. if its tube or aluminum, the need to upgrade your suspensions is much less.

This is just from my personal experience with front bumpers, I don't know if this is the general consensus.

 

It really didn't seem to make much of a difference for me. Even in the way the truck sits, it still seems decently level. But I have an access cab with the 4.0. I think it's a bit lighter than the double cab

 

Look at a trail gear low profile if you want to go the lighter route

 

Thing is my Tacoma is a Truck if I wanted a Car that handles like a Car that is what I would drive.

Yes if your pushing the envelope even 10 pounds of weight will change the handling Characteristics even as much as one pound difference in tire pressure will also

The addition of the Bumper and winch where there was only a piece of plastic did not effect the handling enough to warrant any up grades in Suspension . In my case

If your driving your truck in a road course you might need some suspension upgrades