I always get the absolute best and most complete advice here and it seems I need it again. 1990 4runner 22re

I backed into a brick post (not that hard actually) and my bumper isn't doing very well. It dropped down quite a bit on one side and the piece around up toward the rear wheel is really not attached by much anymore. The spots where it was attached was quite rusty and easily gave away. There was literally only one bolt holding in that short piece behind the wheel - I removed it and took that part of bumper off before it fell off.

So what do the experts here recommend? Do I try to get a standard bumper back into place? Not sure I really have anything to attach to on the one side. So trying to get this bumper back in place could be a challenge. Someone suggested a tubular type bumper that just attaches on the rear brackets (not sure if that type would wrap around to back wheels or not (to provide some protection on the sides). What do most do with these vehicles in such situations?

 

The bumpers on these are really prone to rust, unfortunately. Even my 1990 which has lived most of its life in the desert has some surface rust inside the bumpers. Hard to say without photos, but you might be able to find a shop to blast it down and patch in some new metal, then paint or powdercoat. I think the usual choice is to go aftermarket, though. Personally I like the stock bumpers just fine and hope to keep mine, but Im not against going the armored / tube type direction if my factory ones give up the ghost.

 

 

Yikes. Looks like surgery time to me.

 

you can say that again. as you can see the rust issue continues up/over the back wheels. I guess it needs entire new rear quarters (and more). i just don't have the capacity to deal with all that (don't have the experience either). i did replace the front fenders (but they are relatively easy to replace) - all this rust at the back is a bigger problem. so i took that left side bumper piece off because after it got bumped it almost fell off because there is not much for it to attach too. the bracket that holds it to the side of the car is supposed to be right where that big hole is. There is a second brack that holds it up right the back wheel but the metal that that bracket attached to above it is also pretty much gone. would like to be able to get the standard side bumper back on but it certainly cannot attach the way that it once did.

 

A while back there was a post from a guy who was going on a rust-removal crusade, and I believe he cut out and replaced a lot of the rear quarter panels. Lots of photos, I looked a bit but I cant find it. Sound familiar to anyone? He was doing major bodywork and sharing his progress on removing and replacing body panels, and eventually did a full repaint of his rig.

 

I made bumper with a length of 6" channel purchased from scrap yard for $20. Built a hitch into it. The rust on the body of your truck tough to deal with as there are no small panels available that I can find. If someone has found metal panels would appreciate a link.
Fibreglass full side panels are available TOYOTAFIBREGLASS.COM in Prince George BC,,,or full fibreglass bed/box.