Front Bumper Extension Insert - how important?

In the process of upgrading to a Heritage grill, I broke this piece that is near the fender well area on the right hand side underneath the front part of the fender flare. With as many clips and bolts are holding that thing on I can’t imagine it wouldn’t still be secure but is this something I should replace? means I’ll reassemble the front end only to take a lot of it back off to replace once I can get the part.

part #
52115-0C140

 

Front Bumper Extension Insert Right Hand
https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/insert-fr-bumper-ex-521150c140
Here's the part and description of what it does. I really wish they didn't use sooo much plastic. Drives me crazy. Even though a really like the truck I sometimes refer to it as my lego truck.

 

yeah, found the part. But that description makes it seem this is a part that primarily helps cushion in a collision. And it’s a piece of plastic that I broke with only a little force - how on earth that would absorb much of any impact is beyond me…

I will probably just reassemble, order the part and roll with it until I feel like taking the bumper apart again.

i figure I’m not the only one who’s likely broken this piece when removing the bumper

 

I'm sure you aren't . As I said it bothers me that there are so many "plastic" parts. At least the price isn't too bad I guess.

 

yes, way too much plastic everywhere. I just don’t want to take the bumper on and off again for fear I’ll break something else trying to get the clips undone. I’ll put it all back together tomorrow, order the part and replace it when I have the time - which will be awhile with the new year in high gear

 

Have a wider-view pic? Where exactly is this located on the truck? Did you learn from that side and then successfully remove the other side without breaking?

Agreed, all the plastic has me nervous about this project. Is there any way to get to the backside to help release the clips instead of just pulling on the panel in hopes they'll pop free without breaking?

 

Sorry, I did not get a better picture but you can see from that diagram where it is. It's literally right below the part of the bumper that doesn't get removed. Doesn't appear to be super important, I mean everything went back together and is snug. However one of the fender well bolts into this piece so I only have 3 bolts on that fender well side for now. I've ordered the part and will replace it in the next couple of weeks. Gonna go ahead and swap from the Rave amber lights to the OEM ones that aren't quite so bright so I'll wait for that to come in and replace the part and lights all at once.

Once you've done it once, it's not terrible to take the bumper off just have to be more careful around the fenders w/ the clips

 

Still turned out quite nice in the meantime!

 

Grill looks good. It's not a critical part but I'd probably replace it if it were me. It's main function is to hold in the part of the bumper below the headlight near the fender. You can see on the top there are 3 tabs that the bumper snaps into. The piece you broke has the tab closest to the fender. If you don't replace it, there's a chance that part of the bumper may pop out slightly by the fender. When I took the grill/bumper off, it took me a minute to figure out that part. If you pull downward a bit and then outward, it comes out easier.

 

Agreed. Not critical to drivability and everything does feel very secure - no looseness anywhere, but YES, I have ordered the part and will replace it. Dumb not to on such an expensive new vehicle esp for the low cost. I'll report back if I have any issues replacing this.

Thanks for the down then out advice. I just kept pulling and prying on the first side but took my time w/ the 2nd. And I'm sure the tabs get easier to remove with repetition lol