Just seeking advice from members on how hard it would be to upgrade a 1996 front bumper with a 99-02 ("Fat Lip")? Has anyone ever tried this? Thanks in advance.

 

Hmm...I dunno....Should be the same mounting brackets, and if so it should bolt right up. I would just save the money and get an ARB or TJM

 

With gas price these days, I do not want the excess weight. Thanks for the advice thought.

 

i searched, bumper brackets r different

 

How different? Would fabricating the original brackets be such a burden?

 

i'm still researching, but i see some ppl have done it. i donno if they put on new brackets or modified old.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/9...-bumper-83768/

 

Thanks for the link to the post, I believe that the modification requires some minor grinding and drilling to be able to work. Correct me if I am wrong. I have a 99-02 chrome front bumper which I am looking to either get powdercoated and painted characoal gray to match.

 

Good luck getting someone to powder coat that bumper. I had to take a grinder to mine just to scuff the surface! Chrome is a be-otch! If you use spray paint to coat that thing; judging by it being in the front of you're truck, you would see peeling very soon. I guess if you take it to a body shop and have it professionally done it might last for a while, but if you go that route, then just find a bumper off of a highlander edition that is already painted and just start from there.

 

Says the guy with a lift and 33" mud tires. ARB is not going to decrease your MPG. If you're worried about gas, take your lift and 33's off.

I'd also just get an ARB. With the prices of a new bumper, lights and paint matching, you're right at the price of an ARB.

 

I have a bentup front bumper ordered for my 2000 4runner, to replace the fatlip which in my opinion is very ugly, besides having a lame approach angle. Plus mine came slightly bent from the PO.

I've gotten different feedback regarding weight differences between the bentup and the fatlip. Bentup says his bumper is considerably heavier, while Steve at Sonoran Steel has this on his website:

"...A front TJM or ARB bumper is pretty much a wash with the 99-02 front bumpers with the factory crush zone..."

So either the bentup is heavier than TJM and ARB bumpers, or bentup is misinformed about the weight of the fatlip bumper and crush zone. I guess I will find out when I put the new bumper on and weigh both of them.

I'm also looking into an aftermarket rear bumper with a 2" receiver hitch incorporated in that is not super heavy duty. I don't need a 75 pound bumper, just something that will allow me to ditch the receiver hitch that hangs down so low.

Ultimate goal is to increase my approach and departure angles without adding a bunch of extra weight....

 

I highly doubt that that an new ARB plus shipping costs would be equivalent to the price of a new or used bumper, body shop charges and lights.
I also believe that powdercoating a "chrome" bumper may not be the right choice, so I'll look at quotes from established body shops, just to get it painted.
But thanks for the opinions.

 

Tell your girlfriend that her best friend is hot....that'll get you a fat lip

 

It's good to hear that I'm not the only guy that thinks the "fat lip" bumper is ugly. I like the looks of my 98 front end better, but would still love the interior of the 99+ ..and maybe those headlights!