Today after school I was driving home and I rear ended another student, arg. No one was hurt at all and it was a very minor "bump" but enough to do some damage. Anyway, it messed my bumper up and that was about it (no damage to the other car). I thought I would take this as a learning opportunity and try my hand at bending it back to shape. I figured I would take the bumper off and go from there. I cant really make it worse. I was looking under very briefly and I saw 2 bolts, 1 on each side. Are those the only two that need to come off? Then I think i will use a rubber mallet and see what i can do to bend it back. Are there any suggestions on this type of thing? It would be greatly appreciated. Heres a pic of what it looks like. Kind of dark its in the garage. Thanks for any kind of help.

 

It looks like you have some damage to the sheet metal under your parking light, too.

 

Doh. Looks like my front end...

The plastic valance underneath the chrome is cheap to replace. Look on eBay for a company called Car Parts Direct. I think its like $15 + shipping...

As for the bumper itself, you'd probably want to use a torch and heat it up so its easier to bend. Of course, you'll screw up the chrome and would need to either re-paint it black or whatever.

The colored sheet metal of the body will need to be pried out very easily. The front little peice under the headlight should pop out and you can get to the front corner of the fender easier.

Also, the car parts direct place sells black or chrome bumpers for like $150 shipped to your door.

 

Chrome bumper: eBay Link
$40 + $70 s/h

Valance:
Ebay Link
$6 + $30 s/h

 

now you know how weak toyota's bumpers are easy there is 2 bolts to the frame on each side plus 1 bolt at the corner

 

almost forgot welcome to yotatech

 

Thanks

I may have to pick one of those up off ebay. Here is a better pic. I think ebay is the best option.


There are only 3 bolts holding the bumper on? Wow, That would make a easy install.




(the dent in the very center is from my grandpa when the truck was brand new)

Thanks for all the quick responses.

 

Yeah, thats going to be real hard to bend it out.

The eBay bumpers are fine... nice and cheap.

There are 2 brackets that hold the bumper in the center. Each that bolt on to the frame. These have 2 bolts each, so thats 4 main bolts.

Then there is one on each side in the front of the wheel well. They are small like 12mm bolt heads.

 

I'll give you mine for free if you have an ARB bumper you want to trade for. Ill even pay to ship.

 

Craigslist Denver, autoparts search 4runner Brand new 4runner bumper $100.

 

Oh, it's OEM purchased from the dealer.

 

HAHA i wish i had a arb, i wouldnt be needing a bumper right now

 

if your gonna bend it back...take some carpet and tape it to the inside of the bumper...then take a ball pin hammer, and beat that effer back out...thats what we didnt when my buddy backed into a tree and bent up the rear bumper on his pops tacoma...worked great...if we didnt tell him he would have never of known...

 

Im thinking, i dont really know if its worth it to get a new bumper. The car has almot 225,000 miles on it. I really like that carpet idea. i may give that a carpet method a shot and see how that works before i buy something new.

 

$100 bucks?? Were talking 2/3 tanks of gas.

 

its closer to 150 after tax and shipping

 

hmm time for a TJM or ARB?

 

Not if doesn't want to spend a hundred bucks.

 

Spending the $100 for a new bumper is not out of the question at all. Im gonna give a try and fixing it myself im 17. i would really enjoy the experience and it will be good for me. Then if its not really very functional then i will get a new bumper.

as far as the arb i would love one, but its a 2wd and i don't really wheel to much. there is no where to go around here.

 

don't do anything it gives it character!!! haha.