What is this and do I need it?

I took the front wind deflector/spoiler whatever you wanna call it off. I saw the two little blocks that are bolted in. Are they necessary and what are they for? Seems to look like just mud and dirt collectors to me. Lol.

I was watching a video by @ROBMOTIVE when he was putting the demon mounts in and when he took the bolts out it looked like they loosened up and could be removed easily

 

Yes!....wait.....no!.....wait, maybe?

I think their name is crash bar. So I guess the answer depends.

 

They are frame extensions. I am not sure why they were made that way from the factory. Basically they are a way to hold the captured nut that the lower bolts threads into.
There is a "delete" mod by one of the members, @Nimble9
Squareone Creations - Frame Caps | Tacoma World

 

Cool thanks for the info! They just look odd is all

 

No need to cut if you know how to use a socket wrench.

 

That's not as fun

 

OP, if you end up removing those bars, look on eBay for 2x3 plastic caps. That’s what I did and it’s way cheaper.

Edit: these are the ones

 

Try cutting one side and using a socket on the other side. I bet you won’t be having fun with the former.

 

Southern style off-road calls it a "lower radiator crash protection" iirc. Seems to just extend the frame crossmember a bit to guard the lower radiator area better. Might save some damage in a low energy collision.

 

$8 2" X 3" RECTANGLE TUBING END CAP PLUG - QUANTITY OF 4

2" X 3" RECTANGLE TUBING END CAP PLUG - QUANTITY OF 4 $7.45 Amazon

 

That’s the safety device that protects you in a small overlap crash...

 

Do you know of a part name or part number? They were missing from my truck, bought used, and I may replace them if they improve collision safety, even if marginally, depending on what they cost. I can't find them on there couple Toyota parts lookups online that I have tried. One had an exploded diagram of the frame assy, with individual components, brackets, crossmembers, etc and they were absent from that.

 

I don’t know a name or part number

 

Had a few minutes to burn while waiting for carryout order and found this. Feel free to confirm that is what your were referring to, that is what my truck is missing.

 

Where are you in MI? if you are nearby the Jonesville/Hillsdale area we can work out a meet, and you can have the ones I removed from my truck, (the 51193 parts in the diagram). I do travel to the Detroit area for work occasionally. Otherwise, just cover shipping, I can get a shipping cost for you, on Monday.

 

Hey, thanks for that offer! I'm not very close to Jonesville, over in Waterford/West Bloomfield. I'll pm you

 

I've got a set too, free of charge if OP ever drives to the beautiful state of NJ. (South like not near NY)

 

I recommend not capping the ends, it will help it to hold water and dirt and rust.

All aftermarket winch bumpers I know off have you delete those ultimately.

I believe they're there to meet NHTSA pedestrian crash ratings.