Tore off the front valance - what to replace it with?

I smacked the front end on the ground while going down a hill and and tore off the front valance:


I could, like a normal person, buy the $100 piece of plastic and just put it back on. Or leave it nekkid.

But if I was normal, I don't think I'd be here. Curious if anyone has any firsthand experience with any of the bumpers below or if there's a better option. The goal is to replace it with something that could take the occasional bashing and also serve as a recovery point.

Southern Style Offroad Slimline Hybrid Front Bumper

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.co...-hybrid-front-bumper-customize-your-own-copy/

SOS Offroad Concepts Streamline

https://sosoffroadconcepts.com/2016-tacoma-streamline/

CBI Covert Front Bumper

https://cbioffroadfab.com/product/3rd-generation-tacoma-covert-series-front-bumper-2/

Warn Semi Hidden Winch Mounting Kit

https://sdhqoffroad.com/collections...-toyota-tacoma-semi-hidden-winch-mounting-kit

Body Armor Hiline Front Winch Bumper

https://www.bodyarmor4x4.com/product/hiline-front-bumper-2016-2021-toyota-tacoma/

 

Those are all good choices with a few nuances between them. Pick the one that best suites your plans, taste, price point, and level of patience for delivery as very few of these companies have these on the shelf ready to ship. If you have adaptive cruise (hard to tell from your pic) then I recommend the lowest or no bull bar to prevent possible interference issues. I personally have the SSO and it does all the things I need it to.

 

Do You like them without the bar? I do. Personal preference, I guess.

I just think that some of those bars look stronger than others, and some of the mounts don't seem to fit as flush against the bumpers.

Mobtown used to sell the slimline model, it was really nice looking. Too bad it's gone now, But if you can find one that fits and looks like that one did I would get it.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mobtown-offroad-front-slimline-bumper-for-gen-3-tacoma.660323/

 

I have the bar but its mostly for style points. Some of the designs to tuck in a little better than others. For my tastes the SSO and the CBI look the 'cleanest' but again, that's a personal preference.

For the 'pics or it didn't happen' crowd:

 

You can get a full bumper for only a few bucks more and not have to worry about bashing at all

 

I'm in the market for a front bumper also. Personally, I like the Southern Style Offroad Slimline Hybrid Front Bumper and Body Armor Hiline Front Winch Bumper. I also like the 4 Wheel Parts Factory Tacoma Bumper that came out recently. The price is not bad.

 

The Warn is pricier but it's very little cut. I had to cut a little on the underside. It slips over the bumper cover.
I have not installed a winch yet, but there is a ton of room in there when I want to.
TBH. I scored this from a 4x4 shop for 5hundo because it was scuffed.

 

I could be wrong but I don't think just that piece alone would make for a good recovery point.

 

I had to cut some of this piece to get it to lay flat.

 

If I could, I'd get that and their front receiver... I guess I showed up late to this party.

 

Mother Nature was giving you a hint. It's a truck, not a sports car.

 

I'm a bit partial to the sso

 

Post it with the “nekkid” in roast my taco Gen 3 and see what happens.

 

That and a hybrid bumper looks the best.

 

I normally build everything myself for the taco but this is a great look and with a group buy was hard to pass up

 

I enjoy my SSO bumper but i have my gripes with it. The front bull bar points straight up and you can't remove the grille without removing the bumper....

 

Really? How much does yours interfere? I have no problem getting mine off

 

I have maybe an inch between the grille and the bull bar, just enough to wrap my hands around it to grab onto without gloves.
It's an earlier make from a few years ago so there could have been a change at some point to make it stick out more.

Been debating on taking an angle grinder to where it welds onto the bumper and bend it forward.

 

Mine is a few years old also. Mine take a small amount of wiggle to remove it. It may be easier to get your grill assembly out and trim the lower tabs a small amount so they still engage roughly an inch but can be removed without removing the bumper. They are just alignment tabs and don't click on our anything so they can be shorter

 

I enjoy my DV8 bumper. I opted to keep the light bar off as to not interfere with my front camera. I liked the option to remove it if wanted.