New Low Profile Option FBTT1-05

Finally got mine installed. Not thrilled with the fitment but I think I just need to play around with it a little more.. I was kinda in a hurry. The good news is they must have seen this thread because my brackets came with the gussets already welded! I did drill a couple weep holes for the bull bar. Overall I'm happy for the price and hopefully I cam tweak it to fit a little better.

 

Did you take some pics of the prewelded stuff?

 

Of coarse not. Lol sorry I was on a time crunch and have been waiting weeks for enough time just to slap it on. I will snap a couple when I adjust it this week, unfortunately they will be installed pics. But the brackets look the same as what others have posted with gussets but they are coated with the same texture coating as everything else. It was packaged well and no damage as received.

 

man I kinda wanna email the seller now and request the upgraded brackets. Please do take pics and Merry Christmas!

 

It's an easy fix. (I did prep and paint them before installing)

 

So looking back through the thread is reinforcement triangle weld in should hold the bumper parts and keep them straight but it is still not tied into the fractory toyota frame and frame horns. While the bumper now is less likely to flex either way the issue with the flexing was more due to the the lack of gussetts tying it into the frame like all the other winch bumpers on the market as shown here:

Like:


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rmarket-bumper-reinforcement-brackets.612276/

or



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...t-frame-support-bracket-install-guide.467667/

 

Yes, you are correct, and because of the way the tray and brackets are configured, either of those options will not work without additional modification. While this is a concern, the weaker point was that without the gussets, there is almost nothing that would stop the brackets from being easily bent laterally. At least on a straight pull there are the six bolts connecting the bumper to the frame. This is still not ideal and a potential point of failure, I had planned to do a modification to be able to have the brackets wrap the bottom of the frame, but just haven’t found the time to work on a solution.

 

I have not gone the route of buying a smitty winch due to the design weakness. definitely like the reinforcement triangle and will do that the next time I am in there.

 

Yes, if I was going to install a winch I would go to a full bumper.

 

I didnt know but its all good. life and learn.

 

That would be awesome if you could order it without the lightbar loop.

 

Tag

 

So you guys that ordered this bumper, would you do it again or order maybe the body armor hiline bumper? I like the cost of this bumper and no cutting. However the rust issues and the light bar are holding me back.

 

I would not order it again

 

For the $305 I paid for it, I feel okay about it, and willing to live with the limitations until I get a winch. The rust issues for me were mitigated by drilling a weep hole in both of the light bar arms and spraying primer inside where the original powder coating was absent. I would also recommend being very careful if pulling using the shackle points, and I have used a sling between them to even out the load. As I mentioned earlier, I would not use this bumper with a winch, even though it has a tray, without modifying the mounts. Although the slim line bumpers are quite popular, if you are serious at all about off roading, and winching, I would recommend a full bumper with proper reinforced mounting points. Personally, I am saving up my pennies to purchase a full aluminum bumper.

 

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on this. Its not super expensive and allows me to go back to stock if I dont like it. What are you guys using for license plate brackets?
Thanks in advance!

 

Drill and tap two bolt holes for the plates above the winch cutout for plates.

 

I’ve been looking at adding this. I don’t plan on running a winch so no biggie there but I’ve seen some say they wouldn’t order it again. Not sure now if I wanna order or just get another brand

 

I would buy it again. For the price, I paid $355. It looks nice, fits good, no cutting so I can remove it if I go a different direction. The finish is good, and with the updated brackets that came with gussets I would have zero concern pinching with it. However I dont have a winch currently.

 

Got mine done today, pretty easy, had to supply some of my own hardware. Not a hard install and happy with how it came out. Now I need to find a light bar.