RCI Metalworks Tacoma rear bumper / no-cut version. Bravo to RCI!

No, the midnights are not available from RCI, I had to order them separately.

I wired them using Rigid's reverse light wiring kit, which has to be ordered separately from the lights. This allows you to wire the lights directly to the battery, but also ties them into the factory reverse lights. It does this by using a 3-way switch and I tapped the second power lead into the trailer wiring harness.

Lastly, I installed my switch inside the cubby, for a very inconspicuous install.





Check here for lights (maybe the harness)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/killer-deals-on-rigid-lights.396993/


(I got my harness here)

$113 Rigid Industries - Wire Harness, Fits SR-M and SR-Q Series Back Up Kits (40192)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PACD2D0?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

 

well i was considering the line x because it’s supposed to be way stronger than powder coating and therefore wouldn’t be scratched or be broken through from rocks over other things. have you experienced different with line x specifically? i’ve seen on the website they are doing whole trucks now so it’s definitely not just a bed liner like rhino line or something.

 

how good is good thought? has it been slammed against several rocks while wheelin and not broken through the coating and not needed touch ups to exposed metal???

 

It is good stuff.... Until it's not. Good luck sanding down the affected area of the bumper to reprime and repaint.

The other issue with line x or any bedliner is that it tends to grab rocks and trees and such, instead of sliding over. That plus a 5300 lb truck scraping against an imoveable rock... You're gonna see some damage.

Powdercoat, and to a greater extent, good paint, can be sanded down and repainted to prevent rust.

Now, if you're just trail driving and want a truck that will never rust due to salt/winter etc, then line x away!

 

I can't comment on the sickness, but I've been very happy with Monstaliner: https://www.monstaliner.com/
No UV issues and you're able to get a smallish container for touchups if need be.
I put some on the underside of my mower deck to test it out (I had extra from a gallon I used to do my FJ80) and after a year on the mower is not yet showing signs of failure.

 

It has been slammed a few times now. As you would expect, the powder coat comes off and the metal underneath rusts as easy as if it were paint. The advantage of powder coat is a nice finish, not durability. In my opinion paint is still a better choice, but I like the powder coat finish that RCI does. The important part is the RCI powder coat is not delaminating or bubbling up, or chipping off in big sheets like shitty powder coat job does.

I haven’t bothered to touch it up yet, but will probably spray the scraped sections with black Tremclad. I don’t have any issues with oil-based spray paint sticking to powder coat. I think that’s a myth.

To be clear: If you scrape this bumper on rocks, which you will and you should....it’s built for it.....the powder coat will not magically stay put and the bare metal underneath will definitely rust.

 

I discovered another thing I like about this bumper tonight. My licence plate lamps are now task lighting when I’m mounting my bike rack to the receiver socket at night.

It used to be such a pain in the dark with the OEM setup.

 

does the bumper come with the flip up mounting bracket for the license plate? i don’t see it in the description on the website.... if not where did you guys get it from? and does that mean we have to drill holes in it?

 

Mine came with it from RCI, though they don’t actually make it....it’s a jobber part. You have to drill your own holes.

 

Thanks! As he mentioned we do offer free shipping on all bumpers (along with all other products we carry with the exception of some CBI products and double cab long bed sliders). If anyone has any questions feel free to reach out, we are always happy to help!

 

Finally got my Rigid SRQ’s wired in. I’m happy with them. Very bright and useful. I have them wired to an independent switch.

I delayed wiring them in because I’ve always been reasonably happy with the backup camera and stock backup lights at night. I bought the lights mostly to fill the holes in the RCI bumper.

When you turn on the Rigids the camera recalibrates and the image becomes darker, but much clearer, if that makes sense.



Backing up at night with only OEM incandescent backup lamps (camera has gone into night mode). vvvv


Backing up at night with the Rigids on (camera has recalibrated and image is dark, but very clear). vvvvv

 

2nd gen version??

 

I don’t know if they offer that.

 

@Willy224 , check this out

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rci-offroad-05-15-rear-bumper.595508/

 

The word you're looking for is contrast, it's great!

 

What about the backup sensors

 

It maintains the backup sensors, but not the BSM.

 

Yes.....that is the word. Thanks.

 

hmmm if that’s how camera reacts to more light i kinda feel like it’s not worth it for me because you can see a wider distance without the recalibrated camera with the extra light. that sucks the camera isn’t good enough to just show everything brighter and more clear like i’m sure it is in person vs looking through the backup camera