I don't want to lift my truck.

"Slant6" (slant-6) 02/18/2015 at 14:13 • Filed to: None

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What if I got this bumper but no lift? It would give me a better approach angle and look cool with the paint when it's done. And not having a lift will keep my center of gravity low. Stock ground clearance is 10.8 inches on my tacoma and the shocks were replaced in 2010 so it's pretty close to that. Same ground clearance as a similar vintage Grand Cherokee with a 2 inch lift and the same for the regular cherokee. And keeping the stock height with off road bumpers should have less of an affect on fuel economy.

Stock height, front and rear tube bumpers and a Detroit (or tru-trac) in the rear as a final eventual build for the Tacoma with Ivan Stewart paint. Appropriate for trail use and commuting.

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Garrett Davis > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:16

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Why not?

CalzoneGolem > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:17

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Removing the bumpers will give you a better approach and mpg.

Slant6 > Garrett Davis 02/18/2015 at 14:17

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Did you read the post?

Garrett Davis > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:19

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Yep. Why would you need a lift? It would look great. Especially if you had a winch.

Party-vi > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:20

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What'chu wanna better approach angle for anyway? Doesn't the stock bumper give you a good angle now? $500 seems like a lot for something so simple looking.

Also, if your stock bumper has an air dam built into it you're going to take a hit on fuel economy if you remove it.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:22

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Bigger tires will help more than a front bumper

Slant6 > Party-vi 02/18/2015 at 14:27

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It's actually the second photo, I called to make sure. It looks cool that's really the only reason I want it but that's the same reason a lot of people get lifts. The stock bumper is pretty restrictive as far as offroading goes. I just think I'd be a better use of money than a lift that makes on road not as comfortable.

Slant6 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 02/18/2015 at 14:29

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I just got new tires thought. They're nice Falken all terrains. I just don't want to over build like it seems everybody does. I think stock height should be just fine for most of the National and state forest trails I plan on doing.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:37

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Yes it should be but bigger tires are the first thing you should do if you plan on doing any off-roading. Helps out immensely. It will give you a slight lift but the best part is that it gives your axles more clearance when your driving over things. I.E. snagging your diff on a stump or something

TJDMAX > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:40

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Without going with a larger tire or a lift (i know you don't want one so i'm not going to tell you that you should do one) a bumper alone isn't going to give you better approach and departure angles. I shouldn't say they won't...but its not going to make a huge significant change to your off road capabilities.

Some things to consider are how far from the front of the tire does the stock bumper stick out, and how does the new bumper compare? Next, look at the same thing for the rear bumper. Do you have a trailer hitch in the rear? Are you going to keep it if you change the bumper? A trailer hitch will contact before a rear bumper so changing the bumper won't help your departure angles much there.

For the front, Does the proposed new bumper hang any lower than the stock one? I'm guessing a properly designed tube bumper will sit higher than the stock bumper so you may get some extra clearance there but you still may have issues with the front cross member / IFS mounts.

What i'm trying to get at is the best thing to do is run a bigger tire. The easiest way to run a bigger tire is a lift. BUT....with a tube bumper up front you may gain enough clearance to allow for a larger tire than you could run with a stock front bumper. And running a taller tire will allow for more ground clearance and better approach and departure angles etc.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:43

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I know you said you don't want a lift and it has new shocks, but adjustable shocks, such as the Bilstein 5100, are pretty affordable and can stay at stock height and raise up around 2 inches, depending on the setting.

Slant6 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/18/2015 at 14:50

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The 5100s do seem nice. If I did anything those would be it. I just think the truck is ok stock. I don't have to worry about getting it realigned or the cv axles going out. I just want to keep it simple but more capable.

Party-vi > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:53

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I have a '49 Jeep with a 1.5" suspension lift, 2" shackles (I think), and a 2-3" body lift and I don't have any issues driving it.

You should look at how much the bumper with stinger weighs and compare it to your current bumper - it's probably quite a bit heavier, and I don't think a stinger is going to cut the wind as nicely as your stock bumper haha. If you're worried about gas mileage then I wouldn't bolt an extra hundred pounds of steel to the front of your truck. Maybe go for the low profile version.

Slant6 > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time 02/18/2015 at 14:55

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I am one inch larger than stock which is really nothing at 29 inches tall. Im also not opposed to bigger tires, I just have these nice smaller ones for the next 50,000 miles (probably less). I won't be off roading too much either. I'm just trying to get it modestly capable for when I do but keep it tame for the street where it will be used mostly. I think getting by on small all terrains on a trail is better than driving a bro truck wearing out nice big mud terrains that never leave the pavement.

Slant6 > CalzoneGolem 02/18/2015 at 14:56

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Some people just remove the plastic part on the bottom. I think I might just do that and have a quick release kinda system. Like the hood clips except for the bottom plastic part.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 14:57

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Those are pretty simple. I drive a lifted Toyota of similar vintage, it's not that bad. The tires are what really affect the handling. Plus with the 5100's, when you aren't going to a trail or wherever, you can lower back to stock.

Slant6 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/18/2015 at 15:07

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Can you adjust the height without removing the entire strut assembly? If you can I think I might just get those instead of the bumper and raise it whenever I need to.

Slant6 > Party-vi 02/18/2015 at 15:09

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I think I'm pretty much off the bumper idea at this point. I'm glad I asked oppo, they've changed my mind. If anything I just might unbolt the plastic part of the bumper and have it so I can easily remove it when I need to. And get adjustable front shocks so I can lift it and un lift it as I please.

CalzoneGolem > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:13

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You really shouldn't race or off road your DD.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:14

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I'm not entirely sure, but since they are designed to sit at that height, it doesn't really affect handling or wear and tear.

Slant6 > CalzoneGolem 02/18/2015 at 15:21

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I never said I was going to race it. A 4 cylinder toyota is hardly fast. I don't really plan on off roading much or daily driving it. Right now I DD a Saab wagon but that's going to my brother when I go to college out in the mountains next year. My Tacoma will be for going back and forth 200 miles from school to home on breaks and for camping out in the mountains and possibly for driving out on the beach occasionally. I just want it to be ok enough to do down mountain dirt roads that get washed out sometimes and be tame enough for the highway. I'm also currently painting it in Ivan Stewart's rally livery.

Slant6 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/18/2015 at 15:24

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I'm just glad I asked oppo about this. The bumper seems really stupid now that I think more about it. Bilsten lift looks promising right now.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:27

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I do someday want an aftermarket bumper, but so I can install a winch.

CalzoneGolem > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:30

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I'm sure it would be fine at all that being completely stock. But you want a bumper that looks cool and that's ok.

Slant6 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/18/2015 at 15:31

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I still like the bumper it's just expensive for what it is. I would eventually get a winch. I still like the idea of having it with no lift though.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:32

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Keep in mind that they bumper will probably lower your truck a bit too, because armor like that is a lot heavier than the OEM bumper.

Slant6 > CalzoneGolem 02/18/2015 at 15:33

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I think it would compliment the paint job. And allow for some lights. I've been talked out of it though. I think I'll get the Bilstein adjustable shocks and just put them on full when I need to.

Slant6 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/18/2015 at 15:35

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Yeah. I don't think it's happening.

CalzoneGolem > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:35

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Why not both?

Slant6 > CalzoneGolem 02/18/2015 at 15:38

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Money. But eventually it could be cool. I plan on keeping this truck as long as I can. It's more reliable than the Saab and should be able to handle college. Once I have money for a nicer car and my own garage and other things then I'll park it and use it for lumber and other truck things and eventually make a nice little rock crawler out of it. SAS and everything. I just need it to be reliable enough and toying with add a leafs and such aren't that good of an idea for reliability.

CalzoneGolem > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:40

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The Blisteins are probably better in every situation than the bumper would be. Except for ramming things.

Slant6 > CalzoneGolem 02/18/2015 at 15:43

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A police car esque push bar could be useful...

CalzoneGolem > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 15:45

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You could always mount some lights on a brush guard.

Slant6 > CalzoneGolem 02/18/2015 at 15:54

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Most of the brush guards I see extend too low though. There is one that Car ID has that you drill into the stock bumper.

911e46z06 > Slant6 02/18/2015 at 17:19

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Save your money dude. If you want to be better off-road, lift her up a little bit. You don't have to jack it way up. I took my Tahoe up an inch in front and it made a world of difference.

If you want a winch, mount the winch on a hitch and install a front receiver so you can plug it in front or rear, and leave it at home when you don't need it.