Thoughts on stubby bumpers?

I bought a new '23 taco this past winter. My old gen 2 taco had steel bumpers. Looked great, but added a lot of weight...

I'm looking at the stubby front bumpers/winch carriers.

Thoughts? Steel is stronger for unexpected impacts nut aluminum is lighter and less chance of rusting...

Also aluminum is usually a bit more pricey...

Recommendations?

 

It’s entirely dependent on what kind of off-roading you’re doing.

If you’re mostly just driving around on unimproved roads where you’re likely to need recovery, then that’s the use case for a stubby with a winch and recovery eyelets.

If you’re regularly climbing rocks and hitting stuff, then a full bumper with forward tire clearance is what you need.

As far as stubby recommendations. The Greenlane stump bumper is a solid choice that doesn’t add a ton of weight to the nose.

 

No rocks. Stock suspension for now. Mostly dirt trails through the woods and the like. Honestly rarely need a winch. I have a comealong that I've used maybe twice.... but I like the looks and the capabilities it offers. I'll check out greenlane. Thnx

 

One nice thing about the Greenlane is that it has add on wings to expand the stubby into a full high clearance front bumper later down the line.

Here’s their site - https://greenlaneoffroad.com/3rd-gen-toyota-tacoma/tacoma-stump-aluminum-winch-bumper

 

I went with the Slimline from SSO, winch capable but not super heavy, heavier than stock for sure.

 

Greenlane Is nice but out of my budget. I'm looking more in the 400-600 range. I've had dv8 before. Not bad but rusted faster than I'd have liked....

 

I hated DV8s design. The bolts between brackets and bumper introduces another point of weakness. I chose a cheap body armor knockoff over it, but at least the metal gauge is good and it's one piece.

I also went no winch, as that will add another 80-90 pounds of underutilized weight. The bumper by itself already weighs 80 pounds.


To tell the truth, the whole reason why I bought it was because the plastic bumper was so scuffed and rock chipped that painting it wasn't covering the scars anymore. And yeah, the little bumper does great at deflecting gravel and pushing down tall grass.

Plus, you know. Looks kewl.

 

you will not be able to run steel with a winch on stock suspension. Barely be able to get away with aluminum on stock.
Greenlane has excellent quality and some of the best powdercoat I have seen. 2 years with mine 0 corrosion. Only weighs 35lbs, super clean lines canadian made 100% recommend them.
Be leary of SSO they were recently purchased and have alot of changes and massive lead times currently.
Save the pennies buy once cry once you'll thank yourself in the long run I'm glad I stuck it out for the greenlane over the warn dv8, body armor etc....

 

this one is nice for sure

 

Green lane off-road. 45 pounds.

 

They’re just soooo expensive

 

That's aluminum and not assembled by 13 year Olds over seas. Support local companies.

 

High quality Canadian-Made parts are worth the upfront cost.

 

“local” isn’t much of a sway for me. my dollar is worth more to my family then some local company. there are great companies that make bumpers for way less.
$1400 for a stump is crazy.
That being said, it’s the only aluminum one I like, so I’ll save my Pennies and get one eventually.

 

They’re a Canadian company. The cost is just about bang on $1000 US.

 

I’m Canadian

 

Well I have some TacomaWorld biases to reassess.

 

Damn I’ve been looking at greenlane stump for a while…

how does it line up with the trd skid?

 

Pretty gappy but no modification required.

 

Another vote for Greenlane Off-road. Expensive but you get what you pay for. Best design with hoop in my opinion and doesn’t interfere with TSS at all.