Low profile front bumper options

I’m after a low profile off road style front bumper for my new to me 2011 access cab sr5. The factory bumper has some peeled paint and a long dent on the drivers side (cosmetic), so I want to replace it. Figure I may as well get some function while I’m at it. Recovery hooks and a place to mount a light bar, stuff like that.

My non-pavement excursions are limited to dirt and gravel roads, and occasionally fire trails or crossing a farmer’s field. Low key maneuvers. (Unless you count some of the ludicrous Michigan potholes we get!)

I don’t need heavy, thick construction, a winch, storage or any of that stuff. Low pro, lightweight, inexpensive.

Any recommendations?

 

Curious to see what pops up for non winch style bumpers- so here's one but it still is big... however it is aluminum- so it's probably not cheap
https://www.dakotahillsbumpersandac.../toyota-aluminum-truck-bumper-truck-defender/

 

Most anything low profile is still made to house a winch.

If I was in your shoes I’d go with one of the lower valence type bumpers:
Looks like this: https://www.usoffroad.us/store/bump...ma-2005-2011/tacoma-05-11-winch-mount-bumper/

US Off-road
Relentless
Southern style off-road

I feel like I’m forgetting a few cause they’ve recently been put into production by other fab shops due to increase in demand.

OR the other option would be a hybrid bumper. Relatively lower key than a full on plate bumper. Multiple fab shops make these.

SOS fab
Pelfreybilt
Brute force fab
A few others I think

Addicted off-road also makes a relatively tighter/cleaner bumper too for 2nd gens. It’s pricey but looks good to me.

Either way, nearly 100% of them aside from Baja or desert runner style bumpers have winch mounts. I’d just put a cover plate over it and if you ever want a winch down the line you are covered.

 

That US off-road one is great, unfortunately the bumper crease extends under the factory fog light...still these are they types I’m after. Thanks man!

 

I'm looking for exactly the same as the OP. http://www.ironcrossautomotive.com/LowProfileBumper.html makes the perfect thing for the Tundra, Colorado, etc but nothing for Tacomas. Contact them at http://www.ironcrossautomotive.com/contact.html to tell them there is Tacoma interest.

 

This is the one I want
​

http://www.c4fabrication.com/product/2012-2015-tacoma-2nd-gen-front-lo-pro-winch-bumper/

 

I like that!

Here’s my problems (2011 first off), and here’s the damage I’m dealing with...

 

You could also hunt around for a factory replacement, then add a recoverybar with shackle mounts.

It sounds like you want to replace the entire bumper so the low-pro one's mentioned above won't really cover/replace everything you want.

You could also do a 2012-2015 face lift on the front and add a recovery bar. Update your ride, plus get some functionality out of it.

 

Yes, seems you've captured my problem perfectly...I love the idea of the update...without pricing it out, it seems like I'd be better off just getting an aluminum version of a pelfrybuilt hybrid with no bars or the like. I mean I love the look of them, just not practical for what I use the truck for (at least not right now). It's likely more economical than refreshing the front end to a 12-15 though.

This thread puts it around $1700 for the retrofit...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-tacoma-front-end-conversion-rg11.293318/

 

Yeah, you could get a nice bumper with alot of add on for that price!

Here's my '15 with just the recovery bar. I haven't had to use the shackles yet, but the hitch receiver has been useful. Just to give you an idea if you were to able to find a factory bumper to replace your damaged one. They pop up in the classifieds on here from time to time.

 

You might be able to remove the crease with a heat gun and some gentle pushing...

You can view many of our customer installs here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+BradGalbraithusoffroad/palette

 

I also like the Brute Force Fab tube bumper. Very minimalist, and the price is good too. The only issue is I'd like to get the weight, and their website sucks...the contact page doesn't even work...on Explorer or Safari.

$675 plus shipping and shackles etc.

 

Posted up some more Taco customer pics this am on G+ (link above) and on our FB page:

 

Man, they look great. I wish my fog area wasn't jacked up...even just getting another 2011 bumper shipped $ repainted, and then getting one of yours shipped I'm in the $900 range. I'm gonna have to do some lookin and thinkin. Thanks for chiming in though, I appreciate that a lot.

 

OP, I think this is the same color bumper you need.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-05-11-oem-trd-hood-bumper-and-grille.515125/

 

I think just the grilles have different mounting (clips and screws in the 11?), so it would probably work. Seller isn't shipping though. Shame, I might have taken the scooped hood for shits in giggles too...must resist the pull to buy things I don't need until the needs are met!!!

Nice truck by the way!

 

I'm wondering if a bumper guard, like this one from AVID might be the ticket for my use...

http://www.avidoffroad.com/cart/ind...r-guard/toyota-tacoma-front-bumper-guard.html

 

And just "hide" your OEM bumper behind it? Not a bad idea!

 

I think that will hold off my cringe until I decide which way to go with a build. I've already spent about $8000 in my head, on stuff that doesn't really go together, and I've only had it for what 4 days?! Breathe Eric, breathe.

 

Haha, $8k? I hope that was a super charger!