Last minute steel front bumper buy on stock suspension

Hey all! Curious on some feedback -
I stumbled on a guy who is selling a mean steel aftermarket bumper cheap. (It’s a Buckstop so it’s around 220 lbs - plus a HF winch.)

Part of the deal is throwing in my stock bumper, so that means if it checks out, I’m putting it straight on today.

I’m stock so the weight is going to mean a suspension upgrade sooner rather than later. Complicating fact: I’m hitting the road next week with my pups for a month-ish.

Anyone have any leads on getting bilsteins and new leaf packs on this route possibly? I know it’s a long shot with supply issues but this deal is too good to give up!

Annnnnd: How long do you think I can run the bumper without upgrading?

Pic tax: one of my two co-pilots for the trip (the other is far less of a ham), my girl Athena last week at the Baja 1000, and my rough map outline.

 

Are you sure about the 220 lbs? The current Tacoma Buckstop models appear to be 1/4" aluminum.

If you do happen to hang an additional 220 lbs off the front you're going to want heavier/stiffer springs in addition to front shocks.

 

Dang that is heavy, are you sure it’s 200lb bumper alone? I have a steel CBI Baja with center hoop which came in at 110lbs. I had about 30lbs of factory stuff to remove for it, so about 80lbs total up.

Is that HF winch a steel line? The winch alone will likely be over 100lbs.

Stock suspension will drive with an extra 300+ lbs hanging off the front, but damn you will feel it. Especially talking turns it will swing around on you more and have more body roll. Unlikely you will win the lottery and get aftermarket suspension in days during 2021. I would recommend hold off installing that winch at least until you can upgrade springs to better control all that weight. Could probably live with that for a few months if you drive it a little more gentle than usual.

Do get an alignment after installing all that weight.

 

https://www.buckstopinc.com/baja-1088.html
I know, I didn’t really think about the weight until I checked out their site. I called this morning and they said it runs right around 200.

 

Yeah, it’s a literal beast. Worse than I thought before making the deal. The winch adds right around 90 lbs more.

BUT: With the winch and the bumper, I’ll be all in less than the Chinese eBay bumpers so it’s really hard to say no. But I also can’t drive cross country with no bumper. Well. Shit.

 

I just checked their site, no matter which material it's made from, it's gonna be heavy (the one you chose is 220lbs, not 200):

 

you can install it and drive with it but cornering will be horrible (horrible body roll) and when you hit bumps or go off roading, your suspension will collapse really quickly.

(had a 4runner with stock suspension and ARB bumper with winch.

 

So 310 lbs to the front? I'd consider taking the trip without a front bumper. zip-tie the front license plate on and roll out.

Personally I wouldn't add 310 lbs to the front of my Taco if the aftermarket bumper was free (because it's going to cost you in performance and wear/tear.)

 

I would pass and wait until you get back to figure it out. That’s a long trip, I’d personally not have to deal with the complications of getting it sorted out

 

I would have the seller separate the winch to lessen the front end weight if you decide to mount the bumper. That's one stout bumper and reminds me of an ARB. I would buy it and call around shops that can install a lift asap. Surely you can find a shop along your road trip.