Dan Eddleman (dandeman)
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Http://www.4x4Wire.com/toyota/tech/bumpers/dandeman.htm |
Dan Eddleman (dandeman)
Email: to dandeman
Vehicle: 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5
Customized Stock Bumper for Off Road Use
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The custom modifications that follow, based on continued use of the stock bumper, is based
on a realistic assessment of how this particular vehicle is primarily
used. Since many of the areas we really enjoy off roading are quite a long way
from home and sometimes involves getting on trails without other vehicles in
company, prudent judgment dictates staying in the conservative off-roading
category, for example, trails rated "moderate" using the Colorado trail rating
system. The intent was to provide some additional underside skid protection to
the bumper lower leading edge, minimize any protrusion into the approach angle
area, provide a secure mount for a Thomas air compressor to be
located in front of the radiator, and incorporate a 2" receiver mount,
located high for clearance, yet strong enough for a suitable sized winch
or use as a recovery hardpoint.
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In this view the receiver mount and the skid plates protrude out from the underside of the bumper in the area in front of the tire track line. |
This photo of the underside best shows the effort to keep the skid plate out of the approach angle area. |
Design consideration was given to allow adding in the
future, an extended custom skid structure attached to what you see here, and
extending back to replace the stock skid plate.
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Underside View |
For the receiver mount portion of the design, additional tie in points were used to
distribute forward pulling forces, such from a "snatch" or "tug" with an elastic
recovery line. All connections to the vehicle are bolted connections. The stock
bolt on bumper reinforcement bar shown below was incorporated into the design.
It should be noted that the bumper reinforcement bar is only on the later
vintage 3rd gen 4Runners which use the"fat lip bumper". Mild steel was
used throughout the construction and the temptation resisted to overbuild the
structure, with much of it behind the reinforcement assembly which is
essentially a soft crush zone. The underside view below shows all the
attachment points consisting of the stock mounting frame plate which was
reinforced, the tie down/tow ring attachment point and one of the two
diagonal braces which bolts to the frame cross member.
Further details on the construction of the receiver mount can be found at this link Receiver Mount Detail.
Providing a mounting point for the Thomas air compressor was a
significant part of the design objective. Those details can be found here Air Compressor Detail.
This was a one time construction project (custom work with a lot of
grinding and fitting time) that I undertook to meet my personal
needs. If you have similar needs and enjoy metal fabrication, may be
this will give you some ideas.