Hit a deer at 70mph- are aftermarket bumpers better than this?

I hit a deer the other night in my '05 Tacoma while going 70mph. I'm suuuuuper glad that no one was injured and I was able to drive it home. I just zip tied the side of my bumper back on and was on my way. The radiator looks fine and the engine mounts seem okay. It blew out the right side of my bumper with the associated fog light and also cracked the headlamp on that side. The metal piece that holds the plastic bumper on is crushed and twisted. I was surprised to look behind the plastic bumper and see that the real metal bumper underneath doesn't extend towards the sides AT ALL. It's only about as wide as the grille.

I'm wondering if an aftermarket bumper would have fared better. I know better than to think that some shitty grille guard or bull bar would have helped (and they might have made it worse), but what about whole replacement bumpers? A friend recommends the ARB bumper but I don't know- that seems like overkill for me. I don't need a winch anyway. I realize that probably any bumper would be damaged with a hit at 70 mph like this one. Any thoughts?

 

A steel bumper would definitely fare better but would have took some damage, probably bent where it bolts to the frame.

 

I see many aftermarket steel bumpers on various vehicles up here in the northern rust belt. They may have faired better, but after a few winters the road chemicals take their toll and they rust.

 

I hit a deer doing 75 in a Dakota and it was totaled. airbags out, radiator destroyed, lost brakes etc. so this is better, hope that makes you feel better

 

I feel your pain, but steel is definitely the way to go. Remember if it happened once, it can happen again. Best of luck.

 

That’s all the damage from a deer at 70mph. That’s not bad at all.

 

Here's what it's like to send a moose in the air.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fE0YhEFvx4

 

I'd say you were very fortunate to have such little damage compared to most others.
I'm also considering an ARB bumper for deer protection. After doing some research they seem to be one of the best options out there for wildlife strikes.
There is a thread on here somewhere with pics of the ARB bumpers after hitting various flora and fauna and the results impressed me.

 

Was it a deer or a fawn? That little damage at 70mph. is amazing.

 

First of all, you are very blessed to have been able to drive home
it could have been very different...

My opinion, if you would have had a steel bumper,
the damage might have appear to be less, but there is a very good change that,
since the metal does not absorve the energy of the impact (like the factory set up)
The damage would have been transfered to your frame,
which would be the mounting point of the metal bumper.

It would have also increase the chances of the airbags going off

ps. My opinion is based on thousands of evaluations completed on vehicles

 

Yes, for sure. Sorry you had to find out after the fact. Glad nobody was injured.

 

Who is the manufacture of this bumper? It fits your truck Perfect!!

 

@Mobtown Offroad

 

I am, more than likely, going to need to put on my nomex suit due to the flaming I am going to take for stating what appears to me to be obvious.

First, I fail to see how a different bumper is going to change the outcome of a close encounter with a deer, or any animal, for that matter regardless of the speed.

I spend a lot of time in deer country and I would no more travel at 70 MPH after dark than I would put a round in a revolver, spin the cylinder, put the gun to my head and pull the trigger. But, that is pretty much what you are doing traveling at that speed, with no daylight in country where you know there are animals out and about.

I once stopped in the center of four deer standing in the middle of the road in broad daylight after coming around a blind corner doing 45 MPH...on a motorcycle.

Driving faster than that in deer country is asking for trouble, IMNSHO.

Regards,

Jim

 

I’d like to think we make them pretty strong. The wrecked truck is from a guy hitting a cow going about the same speed you were going. Here is a little write up from him: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHO6pKyH9WM/?igshid=1o9ybnm502odh

Also, we are running our Black November Sale which can save you up to 20%. Here is a link for the hybrid bumper that is ever so popular for the second gens. We sell plate bumpers too.

https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/2005-2015-toyota-tacoma-front-hybrid-bumper-w-grill-hoop/

 

Modern body panels are designed to crush to absorb impact and redirect it around you. Yes, a steel bumper would have fared better, but you or other parts of your truck may not in larger impacts. As was mentioned, you run the risk of damaging other parts of the truck easier. It's up to you if it is worth the trade-off.

 

I hit a deer at 65mph 2 years ago this month. Replaced everything up front with an ARB. I'm happy with it.