Is the Rear Bumper Reinforcement necessary?

Hi there, i have a 2005 Tacoma with the factory tow package. I swapped on an aftermarket "iron bull" rear bumper. The folks at Iron Bull said they hadnt ever seen a tacoma with the reinforcement bar and to remove it. Fast forward- I have removed the reinforcement and am wondering whether that effects the trailer hitch or if it only supports the bumper. Should i be towing my 3500lb boat with it?

 

Are you referring to 52023? In this pic, you either have the reinforcement bar (w/o tow package) or you have the tow hitch. If not 52023, provide some pics showing what you're talking about.


EDIT: - I'm an idiot and uploaded the 3rd gen rear bumper view. Here's the correct one. You're talking about 52043A. Yeah, that should come off for an aftermarket bumper to go in.

 

From that diagram it appears that I had both parts labeled 52023. Here are two pictures of just before I removed it. The piece I’m pointing at In photo #1 is now gone

 

Well, I'm an idiot and uploaded the 3rd gen rear bumper view initially. Image fixed now, check it out.

 

No worries at all, I appreciate your willingness to help!
The part in question is 52043A. I have a trailer hitch receiver just beneath it( not pictured in that diagram)

 

I’m pretty sure 52043A mainly supports the bumper. I replaced mine which had rusted significantly.

The tow hitch bolts to the frame on left and right sides, but I think there is also a connection from 52043A to the tow hitch. In fact I think 52043A bolts onto the tow hitch and it’s the tow hitch that keeps 52043A in place.

 

Thank you RHHousehold, that’s what I was hoping for. It does have two
Bolts just to either side of the hitch connecting the hitch and 52043A. Was hoping that it wasn’t helping to support the hitch!

 

Hey all, just found this thread and have a follow up question as I am working on basically the same thing. I have a 2010 and need to replace the rear bumper as well as the trailer hitch assembly as they are entirely rusted out. It seems to me that the reinforcement is the main connection point with the bumper. All the videos Ive watched for replacing a bumper have two bolts securing the bumper to that reinforcement bar (located to the outside of the bolts shown in your previous photos). Not only that, but the reinforcement bar seems to be where youd step up onto the center of the bumper, if its not there theres nothing aside from your trailer hitch to support weight in the "step up" center section of the bumper. Am I missing something here?

 

Very similar situation here. I have just bought a 2008 Taco Base model which does not have a hitch back there, only the reinforcement bar, 52043A, which is very badly rusted and I have a new replacement to install. The bumper itself looks okay. I do not plan to install a hitch. Various "rust-welded" fasteners are soaking in PB Blaster before I get under there with tools. My question is whether the bumper/reinforcement assembly can be removed from the truck via the connections on the sides to the frame rails? Then disconnect the (good, I think) bumper from the reinforcement (baaaad) on a bench instead of being rained on by rust chunks doing it underneath.

 

A proper steel bumper has a hitch.

 

I don't disagree, depending on the definition of "proper" to include towing ! My truck (bought from the original owner) was never used for towing so never had a hitch. Also has crank windows, manual side mirrors, etc. 4WD, Access cab, 5 speed manual, and I'll be using it mostly for firewood gathering so I will add some offroad tires and maybe some underside armor. Just went out to add another quick spray of PBB and it looks like there are only 6 big bolts holding the bumper/52043A assembly to the frame rails....2 horizontal and one vertical at each side. And a few much smaller ones connecting to the sheet metal at the corners.

 

I did my rear hitch last summer. I bought the truck post frame replacement so the bolts into the frame came out OK. Not easy but they did come out. I broke a bunch of bolts getting the bumper cover to separate from the inner bumper bar.

One thing that had me stumped for a minute was two small tiny metal pins that help you install the bumper. When you lift the new bumper up you'll see where you can hang the bumper in place off the top rear most pieces of the frame. When you take the old off you'll have to lift up. Does that make sense? Good Luck!

 

Seems to provide structure for the bumper primarily, and hitch maybe a little. I swapped my rusted OEM for this one.

$102 Sherman Replacement Part Compatible with Toyota Tacoma Rear Bumper Reinforcement (Partslink Number TO1106206)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004GCES60?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Do not recommend - metal is so soft that the OEM bolts stripped when put to factory torque.