High Clearance Front End Caps

I've got a set of chrome bumper caps set aside to do this exact thing. It will take quite a bit of work, so I only intend on doing my own set, but I'll try to document it well.

Don't wait on me - I'm not in a hurry to get it done. I've been planning this since November....

 

This is a great idea. I REALLY like the one for the Tacoma that was posted. Something similar to that would be great. Not a fan of most of the "broverland" style bumpers. That plus a hidden winch in the factory bumper would be pretty much perfect for me.

 

I'm stoked to see so much interest in this. To anyone that starts working on a design, please post your progress!

 

Love this idea. Wish I had a 3rd gen bumper to prototype it on. I have also thought about cutting my 2nd gen plastic bumper in a similar fashion, since the PO already smashed it for me.

I really dig how this idea looks on 4Runners and Tacos, would love to see it on a Tundra. Anyone in NC/SC have a 3rd gen bumper I can buy or borrow so I can work on this?

 

It looks similar to what chevy does for the ZR2 package on the Colorados.

 

That's something I had in mind when I was first thinking about this. I feel like the TRD Pro models should have come with something like this to make it a little more special, a little more off-road oriented.

 

Has anyone checked the bracing on the back side? I think you're losing a lot of the solid mounting points on the cap if you cut out the entire bottom.

I really, really like this idea, though. So if someone gets it figured out I'll probably give it a shot, too.

 

So quick recap:

@TRDblvd is in NC (North Carolina, I presume) and wants a donor end cap to start prototyping.
@602runner is in NC/SC area and is also looking for some donor parts to start prototype work.
@bradleykd has spare parts and is planning on prototyping something in the future.

This sounds like a great start to me!

 

If someone can "donate" a cap to me, I'd say that'd be worth that person getting the first prototype. That is, if it makes it that far. I'm trying not tear my own truck apart. I've already messaged a few people on CL looking for parts.

 

Love this idea, keep fog light and parking sensor and I would be in.

 

Like the other poster said. the SDHQ hidden winch mount and this would be ideal for me. Really clean.

 

This is what I had planned on doing, but now I'm kind of leaning towards filling in the fog light hole to go a little higher and cutting a round light pocket in it...

I'll have to see. The stock front bumper is so low that the transition to get up high may be difficult to do without looking weird.

 

So last night I got under my truck to get a better look at the bumper end cap mounting. It looks like there is a steel component that is riveted to the main aluminum bumper structure. In order to make a "high clearance" end cap, I think that steel component would need to be cut or removed.

I originally thought this would be a reversible modification, but I don't think that's the case any more. I don't think we can gain any significant clearance without modification of that steel component.

Are you all familiar with this piece? What do you guys think?

 

That steel bracket is bolted to the bumper. It's removable. It is on my 2016, anyway. Might be different for a 2020.

 

What end caps do you have or painted to match?

 

I can't say for sure, but looking at the schematic, part #18 (the steel component I am talking about) might be bolted on with nut #19. If it is bolted on instead of riveted on, that would make things easier.

 

That's good to hear. I was worried last night when I was looking at it that it would need to be cut.

 

My end caps are the unpainted black plastic components that comes on the SR trim.

 

I recently installed an SSO winch bumper. messed around with the bumper for about a week altogether. that bracket is removable (again, on my 2016 at least). Two bolts on top, two on bottom.

Edit - those three bolts you see protruding from the middle of the bracket are what connects it to the crash bar (number 15 in the picture)

Edit 2 - actually I think 17 connects to the crash bar. I don't remember anymore.

 

Thinking about this, I believe that the high clearance end cap can be bolted to the main aluminum impact bar (#15) and avoid a lot of the other mounting points that the stock end caps use. This would further simplify the design.

I really need to get some metal working tools....

 

Its bolted, but you need part of it to attach the top of the end cap. That is, unless you want to redesign the entire thing. I'm going to cut mine.

Untitled by Brad Davis, on Flickr

Untitled by Brad Davis, on Flickr

 

The other thing to notice is the crash bar extends pretty far into the end cap, so your angle can't be too extreme near the center of the bumper. I think in my design, I was going to have to knick the bottom corner off of it.

 

Or simply spend 1500 on an SSO bumper, like me, which makes you get rid of your crash bar. problem solved!

 

I have located a bumper that is a couple hours away, I'll try to go get it this weekend and see what I can come up with. I would offer these for sale if it's feasible for me to build them in my home shop or outsource to a local fab shop for a reasonable price.

 

Does the SSO bumper have bolt holes for the steel component #18? I would imagine their design keeps the stock mounting points for the bumper end caps?

 

Simple....

If I wanted to spend $1500 on a bumper, I'd spend $500 more and get one that doesn't reuse the stock endcaps and then I wouldn't even be looking at this thread because it'd be poor people problems that I didn't have to worry about.

But I'm poor... with poor people problems

 

hmmm good point

 

yeah it comes with brackets that connects part #18 to three vertical frame bolts that part #17 used to connect to (part #17 gets dumped with SSO, too).

 

These guys have fog light adapters. There’s some on Amazon too.

https://caliraisedled.com/collections/wiring-accessories

 

I'm eager to see what you come up with, keep us posted!