I wanted to look into replacing my soon to be rusted out rear bumper (chrome). I have a 2002 4runner

Any write ups out there and is this easy to do. Do I need to remove the tow hitch as well?..

Whats a good site to order the parts from? Looks like its 3 metal bumper parts and i also want to replace the rubber foot step thats on top.

Thanks

 

It's easy except for dealing with the inevitably rusted in bolts you will probably encounter. I was replacing all three pieces so I could use a Sawzall as a screwdriver. I had my hitch out for painting so I don't remember if you HAVE to have it out--I think not. The ends definitely have to come off first before you can attack the rear piece. A few bolts in the wheel well and I think one goes through the fender and then maybe two more tie each end to the rear piece.

The tricky part is getting the plastic top cover up without breaking the clips. So it's great you are replacing it. This allows access to bolts you need to remove. As long as you get the plastic piece off and start at the forward end of the end pieces, it all kind of flows.

I got my bumper pieces off e-bay. Definitely coat the insides with bedliner or something to slow down the rust process. Use the Diet Coke and foil trick to keep them looking good.

 

No. Factory hitch not in the way.

 

i took mine off so that i could herculine it, you will need leverage to get off those bolts, other than that its pretty cake.

 

Diet coke & foil trick??

 

ehow: Coke & Foil thing

It really works well on SURFACE rust. Diet Coke is preferred because you have less work washing the sugar off. Brought my cheapo e-Bay pieces back to like new when chrome polish and everything else would not touch the rust spotting. I highly recommend. Do it once in the Spring and you are good until the next salt season.

There are some youtubes out there but I could not find them. Also some threads mention this but I could not find.