'01 Tacoma Front Bumper

[flyingwil]

I am in the Market for a new front bumper for my '01 Taco DC. I have narrowed my search down to my top 3. What are your experiences with these manufacturers?

In preferential order:
1.) Bentup (bentup.com)
2.) ARB
3.) TMJ

I am not a huge fan of the pre-runner style bumpers, and want a bumper that will handle a winch in the near future. Any input?

[bluerunner]

Wil, I personally would go with the ARB for strength, I ran the arb on my cherokee and it was super tough.

I currently have the TJM on my Runner and it just doesnt seem to measure up. I know there are more people on here with different experiences, so i look forward to seeing where this goes!

Arb = heavy

Tjm= lighter

prerunner style will still let you put a winch in there and it will be lighter, good luck!

I dont know anyone who has anything from bent-up, but from the photos the look pretty good and I havent read of an complaints. :lurk:

[Jonathan Hanson]

An ARB can't be beat as a winch mount. I saw a Warn 6,000-pound winch bend a Warn through-the-grill brush guard/winch mount when the pull was too far off center. That's not going to happen with an ARB. But you certainly need to beef up the front suspension to handle the combination of ARB and winch--even Scott's sub-50-pound version.

[Scott Brady]

I agree with the ARB statements, though you need to keep in mind, that with the ARB and TJM, you will loose some angled approach clearance.

The main reason to install an ARB (or TJM) is for the following requirements:

1. Animal Strike
2. Winch

If those needs are not present, than there are better solutions. Jason Demello even made a slick hidden winch mount for the 2001-04 that uses the factory bumper.

[flyingwil]

Thanks for all the input! I think I am going to end up with a bentup front... I love this one and am going to see if AJ can make one almost just like it..
I think my budget and pleasure will benefit more from this, However I do like the crsh cans on the ARB, just incase I would need them!

[The BN Guy]

Wow! Talk about minimalism! That's a sweet bumper. If we didn't have such a high risk of deer/vehicle encounters I'd seriously consider something like that.

Nice and clean.

[Scott Brady]

Yeah, those Bent-up units are nice, and probably a better choice for the more challenging trails.

[Jonathan Hanson]

That's a great looking bumper, and huge clearance.

One more reason to install a strong bumper: Solid jacking point.

[Nullifier]

I know that there are alot of guys running that bumper, but I have to say that When my buddy got his I was not overly impressed. I think it looks good and really helps cleareance but I do not like the lack of reinforcment. Since there are no supports for the corners of the bumper it doesn't take much to fold it if you hit something, as my friend found out. The over all assembly is good but I would add some mounts to reinforce the corners of the bumper back to the frame to make it stronger.

All in all good bang for the buck.

[kcowyo]

I've heard good things about AJ, from a guy who had Bent Up custom fab a front bumper for his T100.

I'm lovin' that black dbl cab taco with the solid front axle. BOING!!

Check out Rockware (http://www.rockware.net/custom/toy.shtml) and Badland Bumpers (http://www.badlandbumpers.com) too for the style you're looking for.

A big consideration should be, if you add a winch to your front bumper, is how easy the winch will be to service if need be and if you'll have to cut your grill insert to allow room for the solenoid. Different bumper manufacturers have set ups that will allow easy access to the winch without having to pull the whole unit out.

[The BN Guy]

The Badlands linky no worky. But I'm digging the Rockware Toyota bed!

[flyingwil]

That rock ware one seems to leave the radiator a bit to exposed for that one rock overlooked or not seen it might create a big problem... Still looking though, I will keep you posted with my findings and research!

[kcowyo]

The Badlands linky no worky. But I'm digging the Rockware Toyota bed!
Looks like they're down for awhile. Good thing I'm a pic saver. Here's a shot of their front bumpers -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/Badlandbumperlineup.jpg

[Nullifier]

They also have a tube style bumper I have seen in person. It is stout, and looks real good. It has alot of reinforcement and good clearence.

[The BN Guy]

Can't see that pic at school - firewall. I'll try again this evening.

[goodtimes]

Looks like they're down for awhile. Good thing I'm a pic saver. Here's a shot of their front bumpers -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/Badlandbumperlineup.jpg


No offence to anyone who has one of those bumpers, but they are FUGLY! It looks like someone decided to make a bumper, then decided what it would go on later..just a generic once size fits all bumper. IMO, a bumper should be designed with a specific vehicle in mind, and built around that vehicle. You end up with a bumper that looks appropriate on the vehicle (lines of the bumper follow/match the lines of the truck), and you can greatly increase the approach/departure angles, add protection to exposed components (sheet metal, steering box, lower radiator tank, whatever is applicable for the vehicle in question), and can minimize the weight of the bumper.

Of course I am also a anal retentive redneck hack with a tube bender.....so take my opinion with a pound of salt....:P

[lionsbreath]

I was looking for the stock winch mount on demello website but couldn't find it also I am loking for a belly pan.

[BajaTaco]

I was looking for the stock winch mount on demello website but couldn't find it also I am loking for a belly pan.

Not sure about the winch mount. Belly pan for a Tacoma? You should check out www.budbuilt.com (http://www.budbuilt.com) He has a sweet belly pan combo that goes with a nifty t-case clocking kit that will put the bottom of the t-case higher than the bottom of the frame rails.

[Scott Brady]

Contact Jason directly about the winch mount. It is not a production item.

[The BN Guy]

That's a sweet kit for the Taco. Anything to get that rock anchor up will help! Nissan's aren't that bad fortunately.

[BajaTaco]

I myself don't really consider the Taco t-case a rock anchor, but it is nice to have the clocking option for very serious rock crawling rigs

[mountainpete]

One of the guys on TTORA got this bumper done by bentup... Personally, I really like it.

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showpost.php?p=185132&postcount=17

Pete

[bluerunner]

I think their tacoma bumpers are strong and slim, if that style meets your needs I would go for it! :coffee:

[kevin]

It appears to me that if you clock the transfer case, the output flange not only goes up but also runs on an eliptical moving it further the drivers side, if this is combined with a mild lift (more driveline angle) could this create vibration problems? Or reduced strength of the universal joint on a more severe angle?

[BajaTaco]

It appears to me that if you clock the transfer case, the output flange not only goes up but also runs on an eliptical moving it further the drivers side, if this is combined with a mild lift (more driveline angle) could this create vibration problems? Or reduced strength of the universal joint on a more severe angle?

Good question and I don't know the answer. It also requires some other modifications too (shifter, floorboard, drain plug - that I know of).