Which front bumper would you pick?

First one looks more "factory" so it gets my pick, but they're both pretty similar so I don't think it matters.

 

I have something exciting coming. Full reveal should be within the next day or two. I wouldn't order just yet...

 

I don't have a 3rd gen, so no dog in the fight, but I see a couple things on both.

The first one looks like the bar, and everything else sticks out further, and I know some have struggled with the Tundra being too long for their garages.

The second one looks like it's flatter, but it also has to be cut in higher through the grille and, if I'm seeing correctly, the TSS sensor will have to be relocated. Not sure if that's the purpose of the odd shaped hole above the winch opening, but could be that they accounted for it.


Biggest difference visually to me is the first bumper contours around the grille while the C4 bumper (second) is flat topped. I give the nod to the first one for looks, but the C4 lower portion looks a bit beefier.

 

Already pre-ordered the C4 bumper, but I’m excited to see what you have coming!

 

It would help to make the decision if the pictures were more like each other rather than using a picture of one in development and one that is finished. I am at a toss up on each. I like them both.

 

Any room for this one?

 

I would get the black ones on top , first it's black and second the bar on top seems lower and looks good and black could always be touched up or sprayed black again Go black and you will never go back ...

 

C4 for me, but I am partial. I have their full grill guard version on order (and rear bumper, and sliders and some other secret stuff) that I am hopefully picking up here in a few weeks driving my 22 home.

the CBI fits a 30 in bar, the C4 fit a a 40 fyi.

 

It's all subjective, but here's my take on it...

Between these two? CBI because they don't relocate the TSS Front Radar sensor. I know C4 says relocating it hasn't messed with the calibration, but it's relocated position on the C4 bumper is well below the factory location. Just judging by the photos, I'd guess its about 6" lower to the ground than the factory location, plus it's mounted at an angle.

I also like CBI's "stepped" design that follows the natural flow the grill. It looks more at home on the truck than the C4 bumper which is just straight across. C4's looks too out of place. Plus the C4 still has exposed frame bolts on either side. That might sound nit picky, but for the price I think it's ok to be nit picky. haha.

One kudo to C4 though...it looks like their bumper might have a slightly better approach angle. Hard to tell from these side shot marketing photos. I'm trying to judge where the bottom chin of each bumper sits compared to the sway mounts/front of the skid plate. The CBI bumper chin looks like it comes down slightly lower.

Finally...pricing: CBI wins. If you get CBI's bumper shipped bare steel (C4 only ships theirs bare steel) then the price difference is $474. Even taking into account that C4 offers free shipping compared to paid shipping for CBI, C4's bumper is still almost $200 more expensive.

 

With the lift and larger tires I would guess that C4 sensor placement is pretty close to stock height. Just playing devil's advocate.

 

Totally true. Height is probably a moot point given the lift. I still think relocating it and then mounting it at a 20 or 30 degree downward facing angle is an odd choice. haha. If the radar fires downward like that, even slightly, I can't see how the range isn't impacted. I dunno.

All of the bigger companies were racing against time, trying to get their prototypes/production mockups done before this weekend's Overland Expo West show. I want to see some more options hit the market and see real world feedback from owners that aren't "influencers" before pulling the trigger on a $2k winch bumper. Case in point on seeing more real world feedback: The only video I've seen of the CBI Covert Winch bumper was a guy on Facebook who installed it and said that CBI should consider moving their winch mounting holes about 1/4" to 1/2" forward. That would still give plenty of room for the winch to mount and help minimize the need to relocate the coolant line that runs between the two turbo intercoolers. Maybe they'll address this moving forward.

 

Great points. That sensor placement, to me, looks like it won't function properly on the C4 bumper. I've also had people mention that it looks like they just kinda repurposed their previous generation Tundra bumpers to get something to the market before anyone else.

Honestly haven't seen a single real life review out there yet on any of these bumpers. Mostly because the only people rocking them got them for free through a partnership of some sort. It'll be interesting to see what the real life users have to say.

 

First one has better radiator and intercooler protection.

 

From personally working with C4 in the past, they thoroughly test and prototype everything through and through. On the last gen tundra they couldn’t get the bsm sensors to work with their rear bumper consistently so they scraped the sensors and sold it as is. They spent a lot of time with the new truck getting the placement dialed in, the angle right for a lifted truck, and making sure everything worked 100%. I have the utmost faith in both companies kicking outs product that works abs is reliable.

 

I didn’t read everything

but please don’t buy Chinese junk

that is all i have to say lol

 

neither of those are Chinese made, one in Sturgis, Sd and the other in Idaho Falls, ID

 

I would be a little hesitant to purchase a CBI bumper these days. Search the forum if you haven’t already and you just might reconsider..

 

Good deal!

I generally advise against any Chinese bumper copies in threads whenever I can

My experience really opened my eyes on the subject

 

I vote c4

 

After looking at both of them again I have to agree with @KroppDuster in that the CBI bumper looks more integrated. For it to keep the current look it would require the purchase of two more lights. It would look weird without those other two outer lights.

I also have to agree with @dittothat that I would be extremely hesitant to deal with CBI after just reading stuff from a lot of forums about problems with them.

Looks CBI has a little bit of an edge. When it comes to headaches avoiding problems with customer service and late orders on the internet I have to give it to C4. There is enough smoke out there for me to avoid CBI.

 

These days you have to be an influencer to actually get a product from CBI otherwise expect to wait 12 months to get something. If you buy a CBI product it's probably safer to buy one from one of their dealers than CBI themselves. I think a big retailer that has a little more pull may be able to vouch for you or be able to make more bulk orders. CBI will otherwise treat you like a POS if you try and call them or email them for status updates.

 

How about this slimline front bumper from SSO?

 

Looks clean

 

That’s such a clean and simple design. If only the downward lines between the fog lights and light bar lined up with the grille surround better. Just off enough to bug me.

 

My thoughts exactly. It's like they looked at the truck but didn't measure before building it.

 

All that work and still no tow hooks

 

Couldn’t even see them, good catch

 

Easy to miss. The only thing that made me notice was the winch hooked to it.