C4 vs CBI rear bumpers? RCTA and BSM

Currently shopping for a rear replacement bumper for my 2018 1794, which has both Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, Parking Sensors. I want to retain all of this functionality. Are C4 and CBI the only two options? Any advice on how to choose between them? They both come powder coated now, and honestly look the same to me. CBI says theirs weighs 120 lbs, C4 135. Thanks.

 

ICI if they are still in business.

Yes these are the only bumpers I've been tracking that don't distort/interfere with RCTA/BSM radar.

Edit: Looks like they still are

https://www.icionline.com/alumilite/aluminum-rear-bumper-toyota-tundra-2014-2021-

 

To clarify, are you stating your opinion that the CBI and C4 bumpers distort and interfere with RCTA/BSM radar?

 

No those should be fine for BSM/RCTA.

The Steelcrap bumper was the only one I thought would do that. Its the equivalent of looking through a kaleidoscope and saying your field of view is unobstructed therefore will work the same.

With CBI and C4 the only thing I would worry about is being able to calibrate the BSM radar sensor as in making X,Y and Z adjustments and vibration.

 

CBI makes good stuff, I have their SliderSteps on my 2020. Powdercoat and welds were all very nice. Customer service was good too, my hardware bag ripped open in transit and they sent out an entire extra set no questions asked.

Only thing I see on the C4 is the fact that the parking sensors are mounted low on the bumper. The CBI has them located closer to the stock locations. Once calibrated it probably wouldn't matter though.

Looks wise I think its up to you. The CBI looks "cleaner" due the way the lights mount. The C4 profile matched the truck better though IMO.



I put an Expedition One Dual Swing Out bumper on mine. Disabled BSM and the Parking Sensors. You can make the parking sensors work if you want, but there is no option for BSM on those. Mirrors and the camera are good enough for me.

If I recall correctly, the BSM sensors are solid mounted to the inner structure of the stock bumper. So I doubt vibration would be an issue. The calibration process accounts for any shift in XYZ location, so if they designed the bumper right, it should be a non issue. Of course stuff like this can be finicky so who knows.

 

Several years with the CBI - no issues with calibration or vibration. I like the added tread plates on the CBI, and prefer how the aux reverse lights mount over the “pockets” in the C4, though otherwise the two look very similar.

Know that the current version of the CBI will have holes/plugs for threaded inserts to mount their swing out - most pictures on the website don’t show them but they are “standard” now. I also wouldn’t order it powder coated from CBI - get that done locally and make sure the shop does a good job of blasting and prepping. I know a few people who’ve had some abysmal luck with CBI’s powder coating.

I’ve also not actually seen pictures of the C4 with the plastic insert/covers that are part of the BSM-compatible design. All the ones I’ve seen are older pictures of the pre-BSM design, which are solid steel sides/corners with the C4 design cut into them. I have their Hybrid front bumper and love it - but also got it powder coated locally.

 

Updated pics are on the C4 website. I should have used one in my OP. https://c4fabrication.com/collections/c4-products/products/tundra-overland-series-rear-bumper-2014

 

No, looks the same and is the same are two different things. All I can share is what I've read concerning these style of aftermarket bumpers as it comes to BSM and they fall into two categories: sensor failures/improper function and no ability to calibrate.

As a rule of thumb the closer you stay to the OEM design the better off you are, assuming the OEM design isn't plagued with problems. I don't see that either design accomplishes this. The people fabbing these bumpers probably don't even know how these radar sensors work and what the sensor is actually doing.

 

Time is the enemy here. I am not going through the PITA of finding a local powdercoater and hauling this over to him. If CBI's PC can't be trusted, CBI is out.

I think I am leaning C4 anyway. It looks better to me. Can't tell if I would love or hate the traction plates on the CBI. Sure wish they weren't silver.

 

Walmart sells a rear bumper that supports BSM. Wolf something or another. $399