Trail Gear front bumper installation.. HELP

so I recently picked up the trail gear low profile front bumper for my Tacoma. when installing it I realized that the bumper mount was longer than the width of the side mounting tabs. I was unable to make it fit so my bumper is hanging on by the side mounting tabs. has anyone else had this problem before? does anyone have any advice?

 

Not sure what you mean. Have any pictures? Are you talking about the 3 bolts on each side of the bumper mount?

 

Pictures would be very helpful. Also the year of your truck. A couple years needed a welded on mounting plate.

 

Its a 97. when i put the bumper mount on the holes didn't like up on the sides. the passenger side is angled in where the actual bumper mounts too. so the bumper is mounted on the sides only. the bumper mount didn't fit really as far as holes lining up.

 

just seems a little messed up, considering trail gear claims this to be 100% bolt on for 95-04 tacomas.

 

is it a used bumper?

 

That looks like the mounting for a pre-Tacoma 89-95 pickup/4runner

 

I bought it brand new off off road warehouse. I bought the one for my year. Unless they send me the wrong one. Im thinking the bumper support is gonna have to be welded in.

 

I was looking at that it is not for your truck. .

Not a big job to make it work .

I put a first generation Smitty Built pick up bumper on my 2000

 

http://offroadwarehouse.com/i-10167...e-front-bumper-1-for-95-04-toyota-tacoma.html

thats the one i bought. says its for my truck.

 

post of a pic looking at it head on

 

Pretty sure you're missing a piece. Check out BoxRocket's install - my buddy installed one on his '99 and I recall it having a similar piece that bolted to the frame ends, which then supported the bumper.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/box-rocket-2003-trd-doublecab.117265/page-3#post-2538178

 

I have that piece. It doesn't fit. The hole don't like up. The passenger side mounting tab on the bumper itself is angled it. Everything is fine with the bumper its self its just the mounting bracket that doesn't line up

 

Either the bumper was manufactured out of tolerance, got bent in shipping, or your frame is tweaked so it doesn't line up. I would get in contact with the vendor you bought it from to see if you can get a replacement if you're unable to make it work.

 

It didn't because the sides match up perfectly on the bumper. I'm thinking I got the wrong mounting bracket. Either way ill just get it welded in or sell it and get a different one

 

Quite possible someone else had your same problem it got sent back nothing was changed it had the part # you needed so it was shipped to you.

I would make some brackets and be done if you like the bumper

Good luck no matter how it plays out.

 

Thanks man. Ima call a few buddies and see what they can do

 

I have the same bumper and have had it on two different trucks, you are missing the piece that is sorta shaped like 2x4 steel. It slips over the side mounts and then bolts under where the tow hooks were. They are 100% bolt on. If you don't have that piece that stretches across the frame horns, you need to call off road warehouse and get that shit resolved.

 

yea I have that piece. it doesn't fit over the frame. maybe they sent me the wrong one. who knows. either way im just gonna get it welded in or a new bumper.

 

For people who need an answer

cut off the cross member housing the skid plate nuts, smooth the frame posts with grinder. After posts are smooth the mount plate fits like a charm.

You can see the cross member on the ground