I saw some poor 4Runner rear-ended by a small 4-dr car this morning on the way to the Metro. The damage to the rear is a stark reminder on the POS stock bumpers we have. It's times like this when I remind myself I still need to find some custom rear protection with a tire carrier.

 

I hear ya, I backed into a tree with my dad's 96 4Runner going less than 1 mph, and it put a nice dent in the bumper.

 

Thats the idea... Designers try to do that so when your in a real accident the force is dissapated into the bumper... and not into the rest of the car/you.

 

SLC,

I did the same thing just a month ago wheelin, swear I barely tapped the thing and put a huge ding in it. Was able to pound it out with hammer, but was surpised at how easily it dented.

 

From what I could see, it looked like the bumper and spare got rammed under the rear cargo area. At the time of the accident, speeds were around 20-30 mph with lots of stop & go traffic. I thought at least a truck bumper would offer alittle more resistance.

 

Yes, "engineered crumple zones" are the $*#t.

 

Saved my bacon once!!

 

I've been rear ended twice. fiirst time by an aerostar damage me two bumper mounting bolts-him whole new front clip...2nd time me no damage-him dented hood cracked grill and one lens. I LOVE MY TRUCK! I think maybe the truck bumper is made of sterner stuff then the runner's one. I've seen a couple of nifty bumpers in the forums here. there was a post a few weeks ago with a pic of a wrap-around hoop bumper that matches the stock profile with a two-inch reciever built in, but I think it requires relocating the spare to a carrier or the roof. On the other hand a runner with a safari basket and spare on the roof with extra lights on it looks BAD. Aviator

 

Yeah, I DEFINATELY know how horrible our bumpers are! A few weeks ago, I was in a hurry to leave school to go to a guitar lesson, unfortunately more worried about being late than what was behind me, and backed into the brush guard and winch of my friend's Z71 at about 3-5 mph . His truck had no damage whatsoever, but my 4Runner's center bumper and tailgate were pretty nicely damaged. Oh well, at least my first accident was not a serious one. I have pics of my damaged 4Runner in a thread I posted not too long after the accident titled "My baby needs to be fixed" since I know that ya'll like to see damage from wrecks, and please post more info if you happen to know of a cheaper and better way to fix my 4Runner! If it wasn't for Firefyter-Emt's response, I probably would have spent a LOT more on a used tailgate from a junkyard than Toyota charges for a new one!

 

I thought about the custom bumper and tire carrier option since it probably wouldn't cost a whole lot more than a new stock bumper, but I heard that the tire carrier can actually cause more damage in a rear collision. Is this true?

 

You're correct. with a tire carrier on the back of the vehicle what might have been a nothing bump ie back into a wall parking would result in the tire and carrier being mashed against the tailgate leaving a dent at best or a crushed tailgate at worst. If you need to relocte the tire put it on the roof.
There is another alternative check out TJM products out af Australia they hae a nice steel rear bumper that looks like it would stop a moose it has a reciever built in and the tire is still underneath the rear. For a web site try
www. 4wdmegastores.com.au they sell the products I believe there is also an american source but i'm not sure. just remember when you check the site the 4runner is called a Hilux Surf in that part of the world. Cheers Aviator