Has anyone taken the lower plastic bumper piece that runs from one side to the other on the stock bumper off to increase the approach angle? I have a 1997 limited, and was thinking about removing it, in addition to the lower portion of the fender flares to see how it would look and function. I always drag it while off-roading, so I though it would be an easy and functional way to increase my clearance. Anyone else have any comments?

Chris

 

I know that a bunch of the Tacoma guys in the Utah TTORA do this.

I took the plastic part off to install my fog lights and broke a bolt that was rusted on. Make sure you spray down all the bolts with PB Blaster before you try to remove it.

 

I called this one Azrain's Valence Mod as he was the first I saw do it on a 4Runner.



See this thread.

 

Thanks for the info. I checked the link and noticed he just cut the sides off, which looks good for his truck witht eh brush guard, but I'm hoping to take the whole thing off instead, to make the approach angle better in addition to eliminate any possible rubbing with larger tires too. Anyone done it the way I'm thinking?

Chris

 

That is why I installed a TJM bumper. It does a great job or increasing approach angles.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

Not to be one to tag...but to tag on Gadget, the ARB I have does the same.

http://www.brunoandlori.com/4x4/outoftheditch.jpg

 

Yeah, I know I wuld love to have one, but don't have the funds right now.

Chris

 

The ARB is a very fine bumper. If I had to do it over again, I would get the ARB. I think it is a better bumper then the TJM.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

Do what I did...hit a pole in a parking lot. Then you'll be forced to replace it.

Totally lame, just drove right into the damn and my wife was with me! So no living this one down, EVER!!! Totaled out my front bumper and bull bars. It hurt the wallet, er, credit card. But not a day goes by that regret spending the money on.

The only caveat I have is, that once you get bumper ARB, TJM, or custom. The front end has to be realigned, I think it is the camber that has to be adjusted, even more so if you have a winch installed. I took me all of about 200 miles to notice the wear on my tires.

 

I can't buy the bumper right now, so I'm wanting to do this mod instead for the time being. Anyone done it?

Chris

 

Well after looking underneath the 4runner today, I've decided to leave the plastic valence on there in stock form. If you were to remove the whole thing, it would look really dumb, because the ends of the frame bump into the plactic part in addition to my tranny cooler and bottom of the radiator being fully exposed. I wish I could weld aluminum, because I would make a custom bumber tube that would mount from the ends of the frame rails and curve upward so it would sit just in front of the stock bumper. This would be a perfect location for mounting lights, and it still would drastically increase the fron approach angle while still covering the radiator and tranny cooler. I think it would be sweet!

Chris

 

Ya, or do what I did, run your front bumper into a cement block in a parking lot, that does the trick

 

I decided to take the front valence off today, because I think I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do on the front bumper that will look good and be functional too. Here's a close up shot of it removed.

Chris

 

Here's another front shot further away.

 

Here's a view of the front driver's side.

 

Here's a driver's side view.

 

Here's a close up side shot. I've still not taken out a couple of the studs in the bumper because they are a pain in the butt.

Chris

 

I've got more of the identical pictures for the other side too, but I'm tired of reposting them all. I can't figure out how to post pictures within the post itself. Can anybody help, because it asks for a url, which means I'd still have to post them on my site, right?

Chris

 

Yes you still need a site to host the pic. Just click the IMG button above this text box and past the url in to the box.

I'd be concerned with that tranny cooler hanging out like it is.

 

You make me laugh so hard. They are both mass produced one in a million knock offs.

They both suck. They are both sheet metal. Make one out of good old American plate steel if you want to whip it out and see how big it is.

My bic lighter is bigger than your cricket lighter.