TACOMA FRAME FLEX

Notice the gap between the top of the wings of my bumper, and the cut line of the fenders/body. When on level ground there is 5/8" clearance. When I start flexing, one side will bind against the body and have 0 clearance, while the other side has 1 inch clearance. I also have bumper support brackets installed that tie in about 12" down the frame as well as the front of frame so it's definitely not the bumper shifting along the frame.

It's either the body flexing on the body mount bushings. Or the frame itself flexing. I know Toyota supposedly engineered these frames to flex for better articulation, but this seems excessive and like it will tweak stuff. Keep in mind I wasn't even flexed out that hard, at no point was I lifting a tire, she had plenty of flex left in her, but the bumper/body clearance did not lol.

How worried should I be about this long term?
I should note that the pressure from the bumper wing binding on the fender did end up breaking my headlight housing mounting clips. Had to plastic weld them back together

 

I'll admit not knowing exactly how much these should flex. But my first thought is whether the body mount bushings are still in ok shape. Have you looked at how those are holding up? I'm not sure how long those usually last but it might be worth checking. I'd bet that worn bushings won't keep the body in check well enough to avoid contact like this. I'm starting to think I should look at the ones on my own '18 but I'm not running any aftermarket stuff up front like you have.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm just being an armchair mechanic and don't have direct experience with this.

 

Body mount bushings look to be okay I think?

 

Cab is on bushings, bumper is mounted to frame so I would say this is expected and the problem is really a lack of clearance between them. Might be time for some trimming.