Sneak peek of the Victory 4x4 rear bumper...

I get that its not high clearance or anything. I was just curious if anything had changed besides it being alot better built.

 

It's a drop bracket kit, so the only real added driveline wear is in driveshaft u-joints, but they are operating well in spec.

 

Very similar to stock.

 

I always liked the BDS 6" lift. The drop bracket was what kept me from it.

 

I see you have rear sensors. So it keeps the backup sensors but drops the bsm?

 

Correct, backup sensors are working great.

 

I don't plan on rock crawling in this truck. So the way it drives on and offroad is worth it to me over the hassle of a non-drop kit.

 

Totally. The cut/weld part is what did it. One of the first Tacoma's I really liked had the same setup. Looks good. I always feel my truck is not high enough for my visual tastes.

 

Beautiful truck and ever better bumper, my friend... Awsome ride..

 

those bumpers are awesome

 

Any plans on a high clearance?

 

Kinda silly since the stock hitch is still there and not integrated. Clearance is why most should go with a off-road bumper. That's why the hitch is moved up. Looks nice though!

 

I don't get why all vendors don't integrate a hitch receiver into the bumper, under the plate (on a hinge). Some do, but many don't. Seems like such a simple thing to do, with huge wins in both clearance and less weight (getting rid of factory hitch).

 

Closest one to make me want to forget I have the bsm and just go with it... but no sale yet.

 

Because this is a truck and tow capacity is important. Because of sales volume, it doesn't make much sense to do the engineering to get a class rating on an aftermarket bumper hitch. Using the factory hitch is safe and it's properly rated. By the time you build a bumper strong enough to tow 6k pounds, you really won't be saving much weight anyway.

 

Ya most of the aftermarket aren't rated because of the cost to certify and rate one but there designs are way stronger typically than stock. In all reality I'd rather tow with one of those.

 

Sweet Truck, and that bumper looks awesome!

 

There is a lot of stress on the center of a bumper with 6k lbs on it. Unless they have a box tube structure to brace the hitch, they aren't always as strong.

 

I am not sure on the laws of other states, but those style bumpers would be illegal to use with the hitch on the road, making it useless in Michigan, and I suspect other states.

Michigan only has a single rear license plate (no front). Obscuring the license plate is illegal in the state, and its a primary offense (you can get stopped just for that). It does not matter if its a plate surround, a leaf, some rust, a bike rack, or the letters are worn out, they can pull you over. It has been ruled in the Michigan supreme court that a trailer ball (bumper mount) in front of the plate is enough to be justification to catch the lights.

Couple that to the fact that Michigan has permanent trailer plates that many people do not register if they buy a used trailer, and no titles for lighter weight trailers, it can be an issue.

Plus many offroad companies do not offer a concrete tow rating, likely for the liability, and then you open yourself up for insurance issues. Use an integrated bumper mount hitch on the road towing a load and get in an accident, now you have an opening for insurance to point fault thanks to impromper use of offroad only equipment.

So I totally agree, high mount hitches with flip down plates in the bumper are super clean and gain clearance, plus look pretty nice. But they are also super useless for actually towing on the street legally or without assuming some personal risk. Not trying to be on a soap box, just an FYI

 

Sounds like your state sucks is the problem.