New Low Profile Option FBTT1-05

Greetings! I am new to this Tacoma thing as of last December. Bought me a lowly 2020 four door 4x4 SR that was a TSS; but, I removed the nerf bars and decals. Which brings me here, I am removing the front bumper and installing the DV8 bumper with a smittybilt x20 winch. I started today and have gotten he winch partially installed and am now fitting the bumper to the truck. I have read this thread and am aware of some of the issues with the bumper. I have noticed the issues discussed and a few others.

1. I am not sure that the three mounting studs are sufficient to withstand the forces that the winch cable is going to exert on the bumper. The bumper is going to apply forces that are 180 degrees opposite of the design. Needs an additional mounting point. Looking at the large bolt that is close by under the frame.
   
2. The two angle pieces that are supplied definitely need gussets. They can be deflected by hand, not good for winching from the side.
   
3. Mounting points for the bumper cover bottom are now gone due to the removal of the crash bar assembly. Needs fixed as this will vibrate in the wind on the highway. Needs mounting points on the winch mount.
   
4. Fitment between the DV8 bumper and the bumper cover is too rough for my liking. Will use my old trim carpentry truck of scribing it to the bumper cover.

Over all I like the bumper and feel that with modifications it can be made to withstand winching forces that are going to be applied to it. For the price, I can definitely live with having to mod it. I will post my progress.

 

Keep us posted. It's been too. Too Cold here to do the water draining mods yet.

This is NOT OUR BUMPER but a representation of what could happen without gussets.

 

When I test fit the bumper, I noticed that the winch cable rubbed the plastic of the bumper and was at a bad angle to the fairlead. So I cut the DV8 logo out of the bumper, cut it out longer and drilled holes for the fairlead. I then cut the old fairlead slot to match the access holes on the sides and made a large access hole right under the winch. This is what it looks like now, just installed it tonight.

 

Im waiting for it to get warmer again so none of the tupperware from the bodyshop breaks trying to remount mine.

 

Nice work. Exactly what I’ve got sketched out (in my brain). Will have a stealth license plate mount that fits over the farlead.

 

Here is a picture of the winch bracket modification. The original had two angle brackets that bolted along with the winch plate to the three bumper bolts. The assembly was so thick that the nuts did not thread fully onto the bolts. I ended up welding the brackets to the winch plate. This caused the bumper to not flex as much when under load. Also welded a brace that went down to the slip tube bolt to spread out the force from winching.

 

Those of you with light bars installed, how are you running your wire, or is it exposed like this one (not my truck)

i am considering making a hole inside of the weld to run the wire through, but want to avoid it or get some info on it from someone who’s done it.

 

Which light bar did everyone go with

 

I had to drill a hole through the pocket that collects water in the bumper and feed the wire through. I also drilled weep holes in that pocket to drain water. Once you feed the wire through the hole it is inside the bumper and can’t be seen. I would take pictures but it is hidden. Cheers!

 

Came to this thread to see any links on a light bar for this bumper. That’s all that I’m missing. Bought one from Amazon and was 1/2” to wide. I have 12k Harbor Freight Winch installed. Love how it looks.

 

This is the light on Amazon that I got. It was a little tight but it fit after a little tweaking.
LED Light Bar Nilight 21inch 100W Spot & Flood Combo Single Row 9000LM

 

Did anyone else not get hardware for the power steering cooler relocation brackets? Seems like a great bumper, but sucks when you have everything off the truck, and can’t install the bumper because of missing hardware. Also, the holes for the brackets were too small for the factory bolts.

 

look closely at the packaging materials its most likely taped in there and its ultra easy to miss!

 

I had to make the holes a little bigger to fit the screws.

 

Same here. The cut out work seems to be made with a plasma cutter. That makes the holes “iffy” size and conical. Just drill them out. Also, my shipping was less than stellar. I had some missing hardware.

 

Has anyone with the front camera I stalled this bumper? Does it effect the 360 or front view?

 

I did, I mounted the camera high up on the grill to get a good view although the light bar gets in way a bit

 

Thanks Hawks4life. Good to see other Seattle fans on here!

 

Go Hawks!!

 

Just installed today! Same issue with the bracket Holes too small.(drilled them out) I left the winch plate off for now as don’t have one and don’t have to time remount the P/S Cooler Mount on the passenger frame rail.

Did/does anyone have issues with the cooler rubbing up on the radiator when they remounted? Part of the reason I left the witch plate off for now.