Mods, I put it in here because it is 3rd gen specific. Thanks.

Is a 4x4" beam (with the part facing the truck trimmed out to reduce weight) overkill for the rear part of a rear bumper? or would a 2x4 laid flat be a better bet? im waay overbuilding it, but want decent departure clearance too... I have a 1" body lift.
I picked up the 4x4 so that I would have room for a receiver hitch, recessed trailer plug, and some tail lights and reverse fog lights recessed. and whatever else I decide to throw in there, but if clearance will be an issue, i can change it.

as of now I have 2x4 for the side wings, a 4x4 piece for the rear main piece and plate for the lower wings and to cap the ends, and a piece of 4x5/8" for the frame mount/shackle tabs. all of it is 1/4" to support a tire carrier jerrycan holder or whatever else I put on it... and so if i get hit, it wont hurt the bumper.

Thought/Opinions? I'm hitting it full steam ahead in 2-3 weeks during spring break, starting on it tues if I get the slider complete before dark.

and yes, I have seen every third gen bumper design that I could find....

Thanks!

 

4x4 seems overkill, but I don't know, maybe you can work it out.

I'm pretty happy with the 2x4 main beam on my rear bumper. It's stood up, and the reciever hitch is still recessed in.

Sounds like you've got a heavy mofo bumper planned.

 

What are you trying to build a tank? That thing is gonna weigh a ton, much too heavy for the frame.

 

yeah 4x4 will be a bit big - we used 4X5 tube on mine and it's OVERKILL! I wish it wasn't so big. Ha - 1st time I ever said that.

John

 

Mine is a Sonoran Steel Custom Bumper. The main beam is 3"x3"x1/4".

 

I used 3.5"x3.5"x3/16" square tubing 72" long

 

COOL. Ill hold the beam up there and take a better look at clearances again.

BruceTS - I will reinforce the frame with a plate like that which is available for the Tacomas. Yes, I am building it to take a hit. That and I could not for the life of me find any 3/16 thick stuff here, it was all 1/8 or 1/4. Better to over build than underbuild IMO...

Andy - Where did you find the License plate light thing? do you have a part number? Also, your latch is a mcmaster carr right?

Jim - Cool light setup. Could I talk you into taking a picture of the bumper with the hatch open? I'm not totally sure how to blend the bumper into the rear of the body quite yet, I don't want to use the plastic piece if i can come up with something better.


Thanks for the insight guys, expect a build thread in the near future

 

ditto

 

Looks like a stock licence plate holder from a second gen 4runner that came with rear tire carrier.

 

Here you go:







Don't mind the dent, I got rear ended while I was having the bumper built.

 

Perfect. Thank you Jim.

 

All you guys with your custom rear bumpers make me livid!

 

you are too tall to hit anything.....

 

MMmmm Bumper Pr0n! Good looking bumpers guys! Hey Kyle - I wheel the HELL out of the Tippy Bi@tch and I have a 2x2 bumper... I soft rolled it and it landed on the bumper holding my rear tires off the ground and I never hear a peep from my runner. At 4x4 your bumper will outlast the pyramids... (IMHO)

But I'm a 2nd Gen so take my comments with a grain of salt...



You can't see it but my bumper is what is holding my rear tires off of the ground *after* rolling into that position...

- A better bumper shot...

 

... Not too tall to BE HIT. Some guy popped the curb, drove through my neighbors yard, through the fence and tagged my ass. (A few months ago).. Luckily 90% of his little car went underneath.

If you look closely, I got a nice ding on the drivers side corner.

 

http://www.ne4roc.org/rear_bumper/

for anyone who wants pics of my buildup theyre all in there