Front end replacements for trucks...

tod osier

tod osier

Well-known member
Supporter
We have had a bit of a discussion here before on front end replacements and I'm looking for some info. Tundra got kissed the other day in the snow and I have a check. I'm trying to decide if I should go with OEM or add a front end replacement.

Anyone have a strong feeling against them? I know they are extra weight, but they are also stronger. I'd rather not add several hundred extra pounds to the front, but I understand that you don't get something (strength) for nothing (weight). I don't need (want) a winch.

Brand suggestion?
 
If it were me I would do the replacement, with a receiver hitch. If I went with a standard bumper I would add the receiver hitch. I do not have the replacement front end but do have the receiver hitch, and will have the combo once I have the money. Deer can mess up a stock front end pretty quick.

Either way the front receiver is needed for ducking. I pull into the launch roll my oat around fron and then I load the boat in the head lights and launch with the headlights. I can drive a boat into tighter spots with head light then I can back into without them.
 

You are kind of an overland expedition kind of guy, what about this one by Expedition One? Looks good.

http://exp-one.com/products/toyota-tundra-test-product/

Chad A
 
ARB lists front bumpers. They're a lighter then serious rock crawlers normally target but one heck of a lot stronger than original.

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I went with a Shrock Works but they don't list the Tundra. The 3/16" steel of the Shrock bumper added 130 lb before winch, necessitating a spring K-Rate upgrade. I did bounce a RI doe off the bumper with Wendel on board for a hunt with Dave M. no damage or even mark at all.

View attachment ScottsXR.jpg
 
If it were me I would do the replacement, with a receiver hitch. If I went with a standard bumper I would add the receiver hitch. I do not have the replacement front end but do have the receiver hitch, and will have the combo once I have the money. Deer can mess up a stock front end pretty quick.

Either way the front receiver is needed for ducking. I pull into the launch roll my oat around fron and then I load the boat in the head lights and launch with the headlights. I can drive a boat into tighter spots with head light then I can back into without them.
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I've never had a front mount, but there are lots of uses for them, that is a great idea. Additionally that woudl be a great place for a bike rack. Great thought, thanks!

T
 
Check out fusion bumpers or road armour styles
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Thanks for the names. I looked at fusion and they don't have offerings for Toyotas, but the road armor does and they are some of the best looking I've seen. I've looked at them before and thought they were the cats ass - know anyone who has one?
 
You are kind of an overland expedition kind of guy, what about this one by Expedition One? Looks good.

http://exp-one.com/products/toyota-tundra-test-product/

Chad A
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They look great! Know anyone who has one?

T
 
ARB lists front bumpers. They're a lighter then serious rock crawlers normally target but one heck of a lot stronger than original.



I went with a Shrock Works but they don't list the Tundra. The 3/16" steel of the Shrock bumper added 130 lb before winch, necessitating a spring K-Rate upgrade. I did bounce a RI doe off the bumper with Wendel on board for a hunt with Dave M. no damage or even mark at all.
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Thanks Scott, yours looks great. I looked at the ARB and they have a very finished look overall, but the way they mount on the truck looks like crap, there is a big 1" gap at the top of them and they have some funkyness to them. Sounds like I should get one, just have to find the right one.
 
Tod, i would go with the upgrade if you plan to keep it and continue to haul the camper around.
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I'm hoping to keep this truck for quite a while, the miles are adding up though :(.
 
Tod-

Unfortunately I do not know anyone that has experience with the Expedition One bumpers. Like Scott, I have a Nissan and will be going the route of Shrockworks. They have some great products and their welding is beautiful. I am in the process of building an ExPo rig out of my Pathfinder. The Toyota offerings they have are geared toward the 4Runners, Tacomas and FJs.

You could check out the Expedition Portal for some more ideas.

Another option I just found is Aluminess. They build a lot of bumpers for ExPo rigs and the bonus is that they are Aluminum so you are not adding so much additional weight on the front that you would actually need to move to a higher spring rate to support them. Here is one on an 07-14 Tundra from the ExPo portal: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/119874-Tundra-Overlander-in-progress/page3?highlight=tundra+winch+bumper

Aluminess Tundra products are here:
http://www.aluminess.com/toyota/toyota-tundra-2007-2013/front-bumper/

Chad
 
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Tod, Just a heads up, all the bumpers will have a "large" gap above them because they are much stiffer then the body and when off road the bumper will damage the flexing body if the gap is too tight. I've seen pictures posted of the resultant damage when a heavy steel bumper is mounted with OEM tight clearances. Here is a better view of the gap, note: I've simply stuffed the cut off fender liner in the gap to keep it out of the way.

View attachment shrock reduced.jpg

It's been said that with a steel bumper your crumple zone is the other vehicle:

View attachment Bumper crunch.jpg

Enjoy shopping.

ps, back bumpers are almost as much fun to upgrade, this is a Maxterra rear: 3/16" steel w/ receiver hitch, protected wiring harness eliminating the stock hang down hitch and wiring, recovery pts, & additional flood lighting.

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Any warranty left on the vehicle Tod? If so, would swapping out a non OEM with whatever you choose void any remaining warranty?

Mark W
 
one more thing to consider is crash protection. The heavy duty aftermarket front ends are great with light hits, but some poorly designed one can inhibit actuation of your air bags. Most good reputable manufactures have taken air bag activation into account.

Hit a 3 foot oak or a Mack truck and you will want your air bag to deploy!!!
 
Mark,

Borrowed from thenewx website:

Federal Warranty Laws
1.The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C))

This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of the law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle maker's brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

“No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name...� (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).

& Dave, that's a good point on air bag deployment. Before buying my bumper I read up on the Xterra's system (Not the Tundra's) and the trigger is an acceleration switch back in the console. You could argue that with the steel bumper and reduced crumple zone your acceleration on a solid hit will increase making deployment more likely.

Scott
 
Todd, Probably got more information than you need. I will give one more vote for the front receiver hitch, once you use one to spot a trailer you will never be without one. Not any opinion about the expedition type bumpers but the hitch is magic. In SD pheasant hunting the guide wondered about the front hitches and decided "It must be a Minnesota thing" since both trucks from Minn. had them. I guess there isn't a need in SD to conserve parking space out there. heheh or any bad boat ramps??
 
Thanks Tod,
I finally get to tell my Great North Woods story..... the one where the deer cost $50/lb. My truck was not insured. I've owned her long enough that if I'd paid the premiums I would have about broken even after the engine replacement, new hood, fender and bumper costs.

I went to a camp owned by friends up near the canandian border. Had one day to hunt. It was beautiful.. fresh snow and a little wind...great tracking conditions. I found a fresh set of prints to follow and was able to get a good shot. All went well until driving out on a heavily used road the next morning. A photo shows the logging truck tracks favor the inside of the curve. Another shows my engine being condemned (hydro locked), and another the front end mangled and another is over my shoulder of the logging truck that ran us off backing up to pull us out.
Both my friend and I had to hit the ditch to avoid certain death. I still tell him he's a jerk because he used the shallow end of the ditch.
The last picture says it all... I got to get a new bumper. I went with TAG(Tactical Armour Group). My mother tried to teach me that if you don't having anything nice to say don't say anything at all. I could tell a whole other story about TAG, but lets just leave it at "would not recommend to a friend".

Frank

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