Serious Question - HC Rear Bumpers

Help me out here TW.

I see a lot of my fellow tacoma owners rampaging down the interstates with 150 lb front bumper monstrosities, complete with contrasting colorful shackles and shiny winches. FFS, with a few exceptions, most of these things are bone ugly.

Yet I see very few rear bumpers...especially HC ones.

Now I wheel fairly often (I don't rock crawl) both on our property and to get to some out of the way trails we hike and bike....and I can count the times on one finger I've even thought that a steel beast of a front bumper may be necessary.

Now on the other hand, I'd gladly give Lt. Dangle's shaved right nut for a good HC rear bumper for the 3rd ben that integrates BSM and rear sonar. I am constantly hitting the stock setup with alarming regularity. I mean I'm getting permanent "wince" wrinkles on my face from anticipating the next hit.

So question for you third genners who have shelled out big bucks for steel fronts, 700 lbs springs and a gazillion LEDS and winches.....

Are you really having clearance issues with the front end of these trucks?

Just curious.

Skip

 

I'm taking your advice and skipping this thread.

 

This guy, @TomHGZ and the “2 spare tire guy” should get together. I feel like they’d enjoy each other’s company.

 

I have a 2nd gen. But I put the ARB bumper on after I crushed a deer at 60mph. Hit her head with the drivers headlight, $5500 in damage. On a recent snow outing, I used my winch 10-12 times. My rear bumper is a little beat up and will be the next piece I upgrade but the front bumper has been much more useful for me thus far.

 

Be nice.

I'm serious Bert. I'm 100% more concerned about the rear bumper on this truck when wheeling. Over the last two months I've gingerly gotten out and peeked to see if there's any carnage at least four times. I think there was only one time in the last two years I've ever checked on the front and it was more of a skid plate hit than a bumper smack.

I know apogee has a 3rd gen HC with BSM coming out. Can't believe there isn't more demand for this.

 

Apogee off-road.

 

I get the deer strike concern. That's valid and I should have put it in the OP....and I understand the need for winches.

I've been looking at front bumpers and the lead times are insane and talking to even the small shops...the demand is very high and with notable exceptions, not all of these will take a deer strike gracefully.

In the SF Bay Area, I see a ton of aftermarket front bumpers and winches. As far as utility goes, are they really that more necessary than a HC rear if you're wheeling?

 

Yes. Eager to see how the BSM function works on this.

 

Lol... Myself and most others swap out the front bumper for winch compatibility. HC bumpers are great for bumping into trees, rocks or people... but for the most part is for looks.

I have the SSO slimline, but have been eying the C4 hybrid with full hoop.

My rear is a steel RCI, but not HC. I got it to relocate the hitch, that was constantly dragging.

 

Wheel it. If you break it- upgrade it.

 

I've been looking for front bumpers as well, more concerned about deer than bumping into things - but I'm mostly in the high desert.

A lot of these that I've been shopping won't do much in a deer strike.

Edited to add the ones that are good for a deer strike are big and heavy. Will need to upgrade the front coils...

 

I thought I was dragging on the hitch but I've got some good dings on the underside of the stock bumper on both sides.

 

check with BAMF who has recently got into the bumper game. Recently upped production dramatically. There will be a lead time no matter where you go but have heard he has been doing pretty good with lead times. front and rear. you have options hoop no hooop, hybrid or not if you do decide to change the front. They have a rear HC not sure about the sensors. Most people do not integrate it I forgot the rationale but they had reasons for it. I believe it voids the warranty or needs to reprogram but not sure. Bruteforce is another local shop (i have my hc rear from them) that puts out a solid one. Both have fair prices as well. This does not mention a bunch but within the couple hundred miles, we have a ton of options. You could also go the route of picking up an HC then having the other features fabbed in as a one-off but recall liability of messing with that stuff may have been the main reason you do not see them.

 

I'm driving one of those monstrosities you mentioned, although I'd argue about the bone ugly thing. I have the front and rear high clearance bumpers. You can click on my build link below if you want to see pics. I've taken it off road many times, but do I really 'need' the bumpers. Probably not. Do I 'like' the bumpers and how they look? Absolutely. That was reason enough for me to shell out the cash. One thing it did solve was a solution to carrying my oversized tire in a convenient place and extra gas for long trips (also got the rear swingout). The extra lights I use all the time going shooting in the desert at night. After all, how many ferrari/corvette/lambo owners actually take their cars to the track and use them in they way they were literally designed? Most likely a tiny fraction. At the end of the day, its their money, they can do as they please.

 

@In4aride
https://warfabarmor.com/collections/3rd-gen-tacoma/products/high-clearance-phantom-rear

 

I don't have one but if I had to choose it would be front so maybe I could drive home after a deer strike.

 

Beautiful truck! And Michael Bay would proud of those lens flares...

 

Lol you will get some serious butthurt from this thread @skiploder!

 

Who did you go with for the Rear bumper?

 

Thank you and that was a hilarious reference to Michael Bay. I remember noticing that in 13 hours