1st Gen 2WD DC

For you, pay shipping or pick it up.

 

I got this for a tad over 600. Labor Day sale. Shipping was 150 from Canada. I did not order lights at the time or a bar….

 

Figured out the cross bar and also centered. I was off 1/8”. I’ll have to address the aft winch mount bolt holes, but so far so good this morning.

 

I need these! Where do you buy those? You were able to slide them under the bed bolt it looks like.

Are those T55's?

 

That's not terrible. Other than I would have to pay someone to weld it together for me since I haven't welded since HS.

 

Looks like I lost my reply. I’ll get back to you, but there is a tutorial sticky I believe. I cut holes in my bed mat….

 

I've enjoyed this. Doing very similar things to my truck. I appreciate all the pictures.

 

Amazon has all kinds. I used these ones, I just made sure they were at least 2”

 

Some progress pics…I’m using the level as a strait edge, not a level

 

I swear to god this was not my fault, I blame Toyota for those wonky front mounts.

EDIT: I blame both, CO directions suck on this and why did Toyota not square up the damn mounts!?

 

Used some scrap 1/4”

 

Are you going to leaver everything tacked, or are you gonna run some thicc beads across the tacks once it's all lined up?

 

I’m going to take it off and run solid heavy welds on the inside, and then come back to the outside. Probably 2-4 hours of welding for me.

 

Damn, that’s a gap! I did notice that our numbers don’t match up on the side mounts. Those were 3 and 4 for me. Good fix though!

 

Interesting that the numbers and order of assembly changed. Well, it’s kind of like working on an old house, nothing is plumb or square. But, that was the only major wtf, so that’s good. I’m happy with the lines all around.

 

Let’s get it just let me know when to pick it up and how much!

 

I'll shoot a Pm,DM, whatever it is. No charge.

 

There is that indeed. But it only slows the inevitable. Aluminum still holds up far better

 

If anyone can put together a group buy/order of aluminum front bumpers, it’s you. I’d fork over cash without thinking twice. Gotta be someone willing to fab up a six pack?

 

LOL. Costals the only DIY brand I know of that does aluminum kits. Metal prices are high too right now..

I love the brute fore fan bumper. But he doesn’t offer it in aluminum

 

If they do end up finishing the rear I have on order, I’ll bring some beers when I pick it up and see if I can charm Billy into considering aluminum up front. I can’t even get him to take a deposit on the steel one.

 

For the tundra I’m mostly looking for added protection from animal strikes. This truck will be a long term towing rig for me. I may DIY a rear bumper. But that’s much more simple than a front. Welding aluminum isn’t a big deal for me either

 

I’d really prefer lightweight and the stock look, just with round pod fog light spots and a winch / recovery hook setup. I’d imagine a curved aluminum bumper would be spendy. But it would look so nice for anyone who doesn’t really need the high clearance.

The open kilt feel is one thing which stalls me from pursuit. Another is cost and weight.

 

Aluminum would be awesome. Alas...

 

The Brute Force bumper really doesn't weigh that much. I bet it's not more than 40-50lbs heavier than the stock bumper. I didn't even need to switch to heavier coils.

 

Yeah it’s still my top pick for now. Coastal would be nice if I had equipment, space to work, and some basic experience but I’m 0-3 on that.

 

Brute force would be my first choice, If not for wait time and money....

 

So about half way through tacking the bumper plates up, I noticed the rear support for the winch plate was sitting adjacent to the rear winch mount holes, and I would have to do something about that. It looked like that plate should have been 1/2” or so toward the front. There was also about 1/2” gap to the rear mount plates. Doesn’t seem like a coincidence. I read the instructions several times since and I can’t for the life of me figure out how that came to be. I think the entire bumper is 1/2” farther forward than intended. Even then, it would not change the location of that problem plate in relation to the winch mount holes. Weird. Not a problem, just extra work.

At least I know the welds are good. I had to bash a long time with a punch and a 3# sledge to get two small sections of steel out of the way that were cut free except the weld.

 

Solved. This picture looked like the plates were to be welded in a straight line. The mounting tabs were to be angled back on the ends. It is crystal clear now. That would have been a good note in the directions, lol.

 

Honestly, you should write them and tell them that, just to help save future customers from potential headaches. I love when people provide tidbits like this, assuming they read the f'n instructions first.

Hopefully they're receptive to constructive feedback, and if not ... maybe people would like to know that so they can avoid doing business in the future!