New Here - Searching for Perfect Bumper/Guard

I've been doing some research and I'm trying to find the best bumper replacement for my Tacoma but I've discovered a lack of evidence regarding deer endurance.

My main priority is to be able to strike a deer without destroying the truck or setting off the airbags (if possible).

I owned a 2015 Corolla S before I got my Tacoma, the reason for the switch being a 70mph collision with a large buck in Texas.

My top choice is the ARB Bumper/Grill combo, but I am still very open to other suggestions.

Thanks!

 

For one... if you strike a deer at 70.. expect damage, ur bumper won’t keep it from going on the hood or through ur windshield in a truck (speaking from first hand experience of a lifted ram eating a buck who did most of the damage to the hood and windshield) I put the avid bumper guard and I am very happy with it... pushed a cow out of the way once with it. But if I hit anything above 50 I hope all my shit goes off and protects me

 

I took this picture in Thailand several weeks ago.

Good for smaller wild boar as it sits.

Maybe better if mounted a bit higher.

Very unique!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ont-bumper-thread.502517/page-6#post-17282133

Kirk out

 

Here's my ARB.
1. Head on buck will hit windshield.
2. Likely would deflect a buck at corners.
3. Yearlings, coyotes, and hogs NO PROB.

 

Oh god. Dem lights tho

 

I should have specified that I definitely want the airbags and crunch points to function if I hit something big at high speeds. I definitely do not want to get a bumper that will prevent safety feature functionality in a collision with another vehicle.
When you hit that buck, was there any damage to the frame or under the hood? and did it roll over the top after striking the windshield?

It's nice to see that the ARB's are popular!
I've heard that it sticks out quite a bit, has that been an issue?
Also how does the winch work with the license plate attached?

 

ARB prides themselves on these bumpers being built for wildlife collisions. That was the original purpose until bros started becoming Expo Overland Xpert Adventurers. After that prices went up. But at the core ARB is still a great option. Yes it sticks out because it's a bumper. But ARB is one of few (if any) bumper manufacturers that enable the crush cans (airbag triggers) to maintain functionality.

Also, you contradict yourself; do you want airbags to deploy or not?

Winch still functional with license plate as you can see this photo of my truck

 

I know it is mildly contradictory, but I'd like the airbags to remain inactive during a small collision, like when hitting a 100 lb doe at 40 mph.
Thanks for the winch photo, did you have to drill your own holes for the plate screws? Also did ARB do the color match or was that done after receipt of the bumper?

 

It comes with brackets for use w/or w/out winch. Im just using bracket for license plate w/out a winch.

 

Thanks for the info Heinen!

Some other bumpers that I'm looking at are:

Expedition One
https://expeditiononestore.com/products/2016-tacoma-front-bumper

C4 FAB
https://www.c4fabrication.com/produ...verland-series-front-bumper-full-size-no-cut/

Fab Fours
https://fabfours.com/product/premium-front-bumper-14/

Are there any pros/cons to having a single hoop (sometimes called "prerunner") as opposed to the full wrap around hoops?
I also have noticed that the ARB bumper requires a lot of cutting on the original fiberglass, and some of these others would require only wheel flare cuts. Is all the cutting usually a pain in the ass?

 

If your still looking for protection against animal strikes i'd go ahead and add loops. Also, the ARB bumper requires skilled installers and quite a bit of cutting. My local shop swore they'd never install another heh.

 

This has been on my 94LC for almost 20 years. You can't get better than an Arb.

 

Nope the body wrapped to the drivers side and indented into the door. No damage to The frame, all damage was cosmetic. Didn’t set off an airbag either. Like I said I was going pretty slow, around 35-40 and slowing down

 

I've found a shop that does a lot of them, they said it's a pain in the ass so the labor is pretty expensive but I'd rather have it done correctly.

Thanks for the pic Jim! Just curious, what is your go-to method for conquering the snow? I found that throwing chains on all four in 4WD works great until bottoming out

That is what happened to my Corolla but at about 70 with no time to react, the buck's shoulder ripped through the hood and destroyed everything on the driver's side underneath. Its ass swung around and hit my driver side door and deployed all of the side airbags, the front ones never went off.
I guess I might want some armor along the side of the truck too, better to not let history repeat itself! haha!

 

I like the way they tied it on with shoestrings.. thats a nice touch. And first time I've seen that as a marketing tool!!!

 

I would just lift the truck enough to run the deer over. dont waste money on a bumper for them!

 

Chris, No chains! Good tyres and go steady. In a pick up I have always used sandbags in the bed. 2 × 70lbs bags over the rear wheels work best!

 

I will be doing both probably, I know i'll have to change the suspension just because of the added weight in the front alone.
I had a friend in Texas who sharpened his vertical grille guard rails so it'd just rip the deer in half, I may look into doing a custom build like that!
What's the risk of antlers doing substantial damage if they go underneath as opposed to the bumper giving them a good bounce?

Interesting, I'd think more weight would cause deeper tracks and a larger chance of bottoming out. I'll definitely try out the sandbags without chains next time I go venturing in the mountains.
Why no chains? I only ever put them on when I'm in snow deeper than 4 inches, I know they can damage the tires if you're driving on a hard surface. My main issue with snow is just preventing bottoming out.

 

I had a ford dually lifted 6" on 37s i traded in for my Tacoma. I hit a buck and literally just heard a thump thump. no damage whatsoever. also swerve to miss a doe once and caught her head with my dually fender and dented it. being high enough to knock them down and under is always gonna beat up and into the windshield in my opinion