1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Removing front bumper caps.....

Discussion in 'General Tundra Discussion' started by cfred70, Jun 6, 2018.

  1. Jun 6, 2018 at 6:51 PM
    #1
    cfred70

    cfred70 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2017
    Member:
    #11284
    Messages:
    176
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Craig
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra SR5 Crewmax
    Extang Solid Fold 2.0, 20% Tint, Black Emblem Overlays
    I've seen a couple links on here with step by step and have watched a couple videos. Looks like quite a process. Is there a way to just remove the end caps? Looks like the video I saw the whole front end was torn apart. Just wondered if there was an easy way to remove the front bumper caps to paint without taking the whole front end apart???
     
    jewsNbrews likes this.
  2. Jun 6, 2018 at 7:26 PM
    #2
    HecticEnergy

    HecticEnergy New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #15817
    Messages:
    1,472
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TJ
    SE Texas
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM Tundra SR5
    Winjet Rear brake lights, leather seats, BackFlip tonneau cover, Spyder headlights, Pro Grille, pop&lock
    Just comparing notes here, but from what I’ve seen you basically have to take the whole bumper off to easily get to the bolts you need to to take off the end caps.

    Sounds like it’s about a 20 minute or so job.

    I’m sure someone with first hand experience will chime in soon.
     
    jewsNbrews likes this.
  3. Jun 6, 2018 at 9:10 PM
    #3
    Borgs

    Borgs New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2017
    Member:
    #7050
    Messages:
    1,757
    Gender:
    Male
    PA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Limited Crew TRD Off-Road
    Pro Grill and Bulge TRD sway BAK MX4 Tonneau
    It was a PITA. And I am a pretty patient and handy guy, but it was a PITA. It may be possible to get them off without taking the whole front bumper balance and what not off, but it will probably take you longer to figure out how to do a short cut than just taking it all off in the first place.
     
    jewsNbrews and HecticEnergy like this.
  4. Jun 6, 2018 at 9:15 PM
    #4
    831Tun

    831Tun heartless Bastrd

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Member:
    #3549
    Messages:
    11,577
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Warren
    Santa Cruz
    Vehicle:
    '16 CM limited
    TC long travel. Deaver 420 SU leaf packs.
    I've done it a few times and I think it's easier to just remove the grille and entire bumper assembly.
     
  5. Jun 6, 2018 at 9:59 PM
    #5
    16TRD

    16TRD New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Member:
    #4692
    Messages:
    930
    Gender:
    Male
    Norcal
    Vehicle:
    2016 White crewmax
    Agree, it's really not that bad.
     
  6. Jun 7, 2018 at 3:30 AM
    #6
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2016
    Member:
    #4546
    Messages:
    3,288
    Gender:
    Male
    Fate, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra TSS 4x4
    +another, I tried to take the ends off without pulling grille. Not worth the effort required. It is not a big deal at all to pull the whole bumper.
     
    Tundyfundy likes this.
  7. Jun 7, 2018 at 5:50 AM
    #7
    fundra_goes_west

    fundra_goes_west I’m just a guy with a girl

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2018
    Member:
    #12381
    Messages:
    1,073
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Evan
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2022 SQ8
    It’s not that bad to take it all apart and my tundra is the first car I’ve ever taken apart myself. Taking the grill off and putting it back on should take 5 minutes really.and that’s where you’ll see the top screws and clips and everything
     
  8. Jun 7, 2018 at 9:31 AM
    #8
    monaco730

    monaco730 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Member:
    #7382
    Messages:
    948
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    16 Inferno Tundra
    Fox shocks, TRD Exhaust, TRD grill, TRD shift knob, weathertech floor/bed liners, ARE topper, FrontRunnerOutfitters cargo rack, Relentless cargo bars, color matched front bumper/side mirrors, fuel wheels, nitto RGs, K&N intake
    I took off the bumber when i did mine. Took me a couple hours.
     
  9. Jun 7, 2018 at 10:22 AM
    #9
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Member:
    #8939
    Messages:
    16,909
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Texas
    The front ones aren’t bad. Taking the whole bumper off is pretty easy.
    The back ones are a beeyotch though.
     
    BravoDeltaRomeo likes this.
  10. Jun 7, 2018 at 10:25 AM
    #10
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2016
    Member:
    #4546
    Messages:
    3,288
    Gender:
    Male
    Fate, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra TSS 4x4
    must have included a few beer breaks
     
  11. Jun 7, 2018 at 11:12 AM
    #11
    monaco730

    monaco730 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2017
    Member:
    #7382
    Messages:
    948
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    16 Inferno Tundra
    Fox shocks, TRD Exhaust, TRD grill, TRD shift knob, weathertech floor/bed liners, ARE topper, FrontRunnerOutfitters cargo rack, Relentless cargo bars, color matched front bumper/side mirrors, fuel wheels, nitto RGs, K&N intake
    Fog light fitment issues (yes stock) and just overall process. It's a lot of hardware to take off.
     
  12. Jun 7, 2018 at 12:59 PM
    #12
    Hoologan

    Hoologan New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2017
    Member:
    #11764
    Messages:
    286
    Gender:
    Male
    California
    Vehicle:
    18 Cement Limited Crewmax TRD
    I've taken mine off twice now. Best to remove the whole front bumper, then pull the ends.
     
  13. Jun 7, 2018 at 12:59 PM
    #13
    JohnH

    JohnH From PA

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2018
    Member:
    #12454
    Messages:
    193
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra SR-5 4x4 TRD MGM
    ADS 3.0 with clickers ADS bypasses Deaver U748 springs Magnum steps (with Line-X applied) Powdercoated bumper ends Powdercoated TRD wheels Pro grill Husky X-Act
    My son and I just did this. We removed the whole bumper and didn’t touch the grill. All of this just to get to the chrome end caps.

    There’s 8 bumper nuts, 6 wiring harness fasteners, 2 parking sensors, 4 tow hook bolts, 2 fog lights and a handful of inner fender fasteners to remove and the bumper will slide off.

    Once off, everything is straight-forward. And yes, there are lots of nuts/bolts. It’s easy to do, especially if you take pictures.

    John
     
    Tundyfundy, Shaff777 and TRDblvd like this.
  14. Jun 7, 2018 at 1:05 PM
    #14
    BayRunner

    BayRunner I’m here, except when I’m not

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2017
    Member:
    #9507
    Messages:
    2,534
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra Platinum
    Yes, not difficult. Just requires attention to detail. Make sure you allocate plenty of time to take it nice and slow so you can do it right.
     
    Tundyfundy likes this.
  15. Sep 20, 2020 at 9:14 PM
    #15
    Shaff777

    Shaff777 Rocking the Tundra since 2010

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2020
    Member:
    #51044
    Messages:
    224
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Justin
    Boise
    Vehicle:
    2020 cement SR5
    Boss 2.5 Aluma kit. SPC UCA’s Color matched front surround Scs Ray 10 wheels. Cooper AT3 XLT’s 295/70/18
    this is exactly what I needed.
     
  16. Oct 3, 2020 at 8:17 PM
    #16
    SoCalRandy

    SoCalRandy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2019
    Member:
    #37661
    Messages:
    179
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    San Diego, California
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited Crewmax 4x4
    Subb’d for reference
     
  17. Oct 3, 2020 at 9:23 PM
    #17
    GeorgeD

    GeorgeD New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2020
    Member:
    #53123
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Conroe, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra TSS SR5
    Tailgate letters for Tundra, LED tail lights
    So I take it that everyone here (who has posted a comment) is taking the end caps off to paint. I've seen videos regarding covers for these. What is the reason for bypassing the covers and going through the troubles to remove and paint? I am simply asking an honest question, I have thoughts of doing the same thing, just curious behind everyone's decision process.
     
  18. Oct 4, 2020 at 6:36 AM
    #18
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,676
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    $$$ vs $

    DIY is cheaper and more rewarding. Painting also eliminates an extra piece of plastic on the truck with chance of cracking, pulling away or trapping moisture behind it.
     
  19. Oct 4, 2020 at 7:15 AM
    #19
    SoCalRandy

    SoCalRandy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2019
    Member:
    #37661
    Messages:
    179
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    San Diego, California
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited Crewmax 4x4
    I ordered the color matched front bumper caps from Sparks Parts a few weeks ago. They’re now completed and on the way to me, so I plan on tackling this task this coming week. The confusing part for me is that some people are suggesting to remove the bumper completely to get to the bumper caps, and others are removing the entire grille. Is it simply two different approaches to achieve the same result?
     
  20. Oct 4, 2020 at 7:29 AM
    #20
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,676
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    The overlays you put over your existing chrome bumper caps. You don't have to remove the bumper.

    The replacement caps, you have to remove the bumper and then chrome bumper caps and replace with your plastic replacement pieces. Then you sell your stock chrome bumper caps to recoop some money.
     
    SoCalRandy[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Oct 4, 2020 at 12:57 PM
    #21
    SoCalRandy

    SoCalRandy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2019
    Member:
    #37661
    Messages:
    179
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    San Diego, California
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited Crewmax 4x4
    I ordered the replacement plastic painted caps. I guess I’ll be removing the entire bumper. Anyone have a link for a good step by step video for removing the bumper?
     
  22. Oct 4, 2020 at 2:53 PM
    #22
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,676
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    From what I've seen (YouTube had a bunch of videos), it is doable, take your time, label your bolts and washers etc.

    I don't want to take it on, so will be buying bumpershellz covers
     
  23. Oct 4, 2020 at 3:56 PM
    #23
    fbingha

    fbingha New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2020
    Member:
    #51270
    Messages:
    364
    Gender:
    Male
    Bakersfield, CA
    I took then end caps off the back bumper and plasti-dip'd them. Wasn't difficult.

    Got half way into to removing the front bumper ends and stopped. It is a ROYAL PIA. If taking the whole bumper off makes it any easier, take the bumper off.
     
    BravoDeltaRomeo likes this.
  24. Oct 13, 2020 at 2:36 PM
    #24
    Hartsy8

    Hartsy8 Resident Hockey Guy

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #48946
    Messages:
    516
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM 1794
    I will bring this back... you have to take the whole front end apart to get the caps off?
     
  25. Oct 13, 2020 at 2:55 PM
    #25
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,676
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    Yup. That's the general consensus

    If you find a way to do it without, please let us know
     
  26. Oct 13, 2020 at 3:03 PM
    #26
    Hartsy8

    Hartsy8 Resident Hockey Guy

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #48946
    Messages:
    516
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM 1794
    Confirming what my lazy side was not wanting to hear haha
     
  27. Oct 13, 2020 at 5:08 PM
    #27
    16TRD

    16TRD New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Member:
    #4692
    Messages:
    930
    Gender:
    Male
    Norcal
    Vehicle:
    2016 White crewmax
    it is probably easier and faster to take the whole thing off. Not hard. Theres a few how tos. I posted one as well
     
  28. Oct 13, 2020 at 6:43 PM
    #28
    SoCalRandy

    SoCalRandy New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2019
    Member:
    #37661
    Messages:
    179
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Randy
    San Diego, California
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM Limited Crewmax 4x4
    I completed this task last week. As long as you have basic sockets and wrenches, it’s not that bad. For me, the two most difficult parts were unplugging the parking sensors and removing the eight nuts that attach the bumper to the truck. Otherwise, it wasn’t that bad. My suggestions would be, take your time, and take lots of pics before you remove any bolts/screws, it might be helpful when you try to put it all back together again.
     
  29. Oct 13, 2020 at 6:43 PM
    #29
    Hartsy8

    Hartsy8 Resident Hockey Guy

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2020
    Member:
    #48946
    Messages:
    516
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Max
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 MGM 1794
    Yes remembering how it all goes back together is always the hard part haha
     
    BravoDeltaRomeo likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top