Bumper guard suggestions to protect against deer

I got a 2001 tacoma base with xtra cab, no 4x4, where I live we have an abundance amount of deer looking for some advice on a bumper guard I could put on that wouldn’t be to heavy for the truck, also any suggestions on struts to help with weight?

 

You'll most likely need new coil springs up front and new shocks to support the weight for a heavier front bumper. Good luck in whatever choice you make. Search this forum, there are several discussions on front bumpers.

 

While adding a heavier duty bumper might seem like a logic jump- any impact at high speed from a deer or otherwise will likely cause additional damage. That being said, most folks opt for the ARB bumper, with mods to the front frame rails to support the bumper.

These trucks don't have struts, so no suggestions for struts.

However, in the coilover category (which 1st gen Tacomas have), on the budget-friendly side, Bilstein 5100's with an appropriate weight coil spring (881 = normal, 882 = + heavy bumper) is a good option. Going with an adjustable/rebuildable coilover (Kings, Icon, ADS, etc..) will give you better control over spring rate and preload, albeit with a more expensive price tag.

 

Depending on your speed and the size if the deer it may not do much...

 

A steel bumper is not a guarantee for less damage..... as posts above have demonstrated.

 

That's the truth, I've seen some serious damage done from deer over the years. Amazing how an animal weighing 150 pounds or less, depending on where your live, can cause so much damage. I guess it all comes down to mass vs velocity. Vehicle speed hitting a stationary object(deer) can do some serious damage, like the above photo demonstrates. I've seen cars with the roof almost peeled off from deer coming over the hood into the wind shield pillars. During Deer Season here in N.C., I'm always on hight alert during early morning and near dark driving times.

 

arb bumper

 

I have never been able to hit a deer with the front bumper .

All my impacts have been to the sides of the truck 5 or 6 in the last few years .

You need to be real careful that the bumper does not toss the deer onto the hood and into the windshield which does make a mess.

At least no Elk or Moose or Free Range close any more.

 

its a joke between me and him lol

 

That nose bro.

 

Haha that’s what I thought at first and still do! hahaha!

 

He wants deer defense, not rock defense

 

Deer are softer than rock last I checked.

 

Well…well…I’ll scoot myself out of here.

 

More nimble though

 

I know everyone has always been high on ARB’s but they’re pretty tinny (only 10 gauge or about 1/8”) compared to other manufacturers. All-pro Apex, 4xinnovations, Relentless fab are all 3/16” plate, Relentless has a full front hoop, not sure about the others

The other thing that’s a good investment is light- get some better driving lights and see them further down the road.

 

Have you ever tried to cut an ARB bumper?

I had to modify mine a bit, same type of jigsaw blade that went through my 1/4" All-Pro Off-Road rear bumper like a hot knife through sweet warm butter made it about 1" into the ARB before is smoked. Had to rough cut with a cut off wheel then shape it with a flap disk, I went through a lot of disks...

They're not made out of your typical A36 mild steel like pretty much all domestic bumpers are. Whatever proprietary 11 herbs and spices steel ARB developed for their bumpers is some seriously tough higher tensile stuff.

Plus they don't get their strength from being thick they get it from being folded geometrically from mostly one single sheet in high pressure forms which kind of further forges it then they have more behind the surface support webs and brackets welded in instead of multiple flat plates welded at the corners as is more typically.

Not having welded seams or hard corners (force multipliers) like most bumpers further improves their strength all while keeping the weight down considerably that's why everybody sings ARB's praises.

I just took some measurements on mine most bits are 1/8th but the primary supports and center winch cradle is 3/16 like most bumpers.

Just my .02

 

I’ve built my own bumper that’s a hell a lot more stout that an ARB and owned a TJM T-17 which is very similar to an ARB minus the hoop which I ditched because it was too tinny (same gauge steel as an ARB)- both Australian made.

Maybe your assessment of metallurgy is accurate, and although a dubious feat I’ve t-boned a car and knocked down a deer and not a scratch on my homemade, can’t say the same for bouncing off stuff with the TJM

Completely agree with your comments of design and triangulate- I added steel in all the spots the TJM bent- there’s more bracing between the trailer hitch and the lower angled part of the bumper I added

This discussion revolved around the ability to take a hit and survive. Though my bumper will likely blow out my back or give me whiplash in a wreck, the ARB is made to crumple.