So, like most all 2nd gens, my 95 4Runner has no metal behind the rear wheel, or above it, or in front of it...

I'm debating a rear tube bumper, like the trail gear on, later on. I don't much like the way the rear of the 4Runners look with no bumper covering them up. The plastic crap that was on the dog leg must go as well.

Today while I was looking at bumpers I happened to notice that tacomas don't have the side bumpers on them and they just run smooth to the bottom.

Has anybody cut out the metal and smoothed out the dog leg and rear fender on a 2nd gen 4Runner? Pictures?

If not I still need to do something so I may just throw some sheet metal from an old 3rd gen front fender that I have laying around.

 

what is the "dog leg" you're referring to? are you talking about the thin strip of metal between the rear door and rear fender opening? If so, I've seen several people get away with taking a little bit off, but not much since it's right next to it is a structural body section that forms the rear door jamb. behind the wheel well, this is a common area to ditch in favor of steel plating that's part of a custom rear bumper.
examples:

 

Dog leg is on the left of the picture.

I'm thinking of smoothing out the rear rust to look similar to the bedside of a tacoma. just not sure what it would look like with a 2nd gen 4runners tailgate and whatnot.