REAR Bumper Guard/Protector - Your Opinion(s)

[TundraTRX]

I'm not trying to find out who makes them, I've already done that research and know where to look (i.e. Performance Products) and who makes them.

What I'd like to know, for those who have them, have used them, or dislike them is what you think of them in general (do they really help to protect the rear bumper, your specific model). Also, would you recommend a specific model versus another?

One of the reasons why I'm asking, is with my upcoming tax refund I'm looking into "investing" some of it into items/components that would add additional functionality or use. I'm thinking a rear bumper guard would help protect the "frail" rear bumper on my truck. I'd also get one to go over the front, but I'm interested in what people think of rear bumper guards/protectors. I've found quite a bit (relatively speaking) on front bumper protectors.

One (unrelated) thing I will definitely be getting for my truck with part of my tax refund is a Line-X bedliner. Anyone know of any additional discounts available for a Line-X, besides the online coupon? Thanks for any help/tips/suggestions/opinions/etc.

[ibleedblue]

In response to your unrelated item, you wouldn't happen to have a cached copy of the $20 Line-X coupon would you? I'm supposed to be getting my truck sprayed on Tuesday and had all intentions of printing the coupon and taking it with me, but now it's gone from the website. Can you or anyone else help?

[TundrastruckDave]

I would have to TOTALLY agree with you, regarding your comment on how "frail" the rear bumper actually is. You're right on the money... . I know from first hand experience. Having had my new DC for ONLY 2 weeks, I proceeded to back into a metal sign post (in a parking space no less) and it creased the bumper, like a knife slicing through butter! As to whether the rear bumper guard, which you're referring to, will help... .. that's somewhat subjectionable, depending on exactly "how" this guard mounts.

The reason I question that is, there are ONLY four(4) bolts holding the bumper on the frame to begin with, so I question exactly "how" and "where" this bumper guard would mount?! That said, if the bumper bracket mounts are designed as the bumper is (i.e. "frail") then I'd doubt, adding extra protection out back, would do much to protect the "whole" picture. Yes, they might actually protect the bumper, but again, depending on "how and "where" the guard mounts, it may put all that pressure (i.e. from hitting something with the guard in place) squarely on the bumper brackets, thereby causing them to buckle, possibly pushing the bumper into the rear quarter panels! About the only thing I can offer is... check on the mounting of this bumper guard, before you buy.

If either of you guys have questions about LINE-X, I'd send TS.com member (123Gone) a PM. He defenatively... IS... THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE GUY on these boards, regarding ANYTHING about spray-in bedliners. Since he is a LINE-X dealer himself (in Texas), I'm sure he can direct you guys, straight to a website, for that $20 off coupon, which you're looking for.

Dave

btw: ibleedblue... before you take your truck to have it sprayed, (if you don't mind), I'd like to ask you, what kind of "price" you've been quoted (up there in Raleigh) for having LINE-X sprayed in your truck. The reason I ask, since you're here in eastern NC, I MIGHT just have a source, where you can get it done for LESS, without having to have a coupon, if you're willing to take a little road-trip, about an hour east of where you are. You can PM me if you'd rather. Oh yeah, I almost forgot... GO DUKE!!! Sorry, I just couldn't resist the temptation!

[TundraTRX]

Some, or most, of the protectors I've found seem to mount to the same mouting holes as the bumper but with included longer (and I presume) heavier bolt hardware. I've seen a couple that mount to the frame, but I can't recall which ones I found mount in that fashion. There are also some complete bumper replacements...

So far I've been "lucky" with the rear bumper, but I'd love to beef it up and add protection and strength to the rear. If money wasn't an issue (which for most of us, it is), I'd add one of the pre-runner style front bumper replacements, and a reinforced rear bumper in a similar design. It would look awesome on my truck, and add a lot of extra stregnth, but is that really necessary on a 4x2 pickup that doesn't go off road very often (if my truck was a 4x4 it would be off road every weekend!)?

What I'm trying to protect against is those minor and annoying low speed impacts that cause enough damage to annoy you and be visible, but are less than or equal to your insurance premium to fix (mine's $250). I had a nice 'bender in my S-10 where I put a fist sized dent in the front bumper from hitting a pole. Couldn't be easily fixed, and to "replace" the bumper was $254. By the time I sold my truck, I never had it fixed, but that didn't stop me from getting what I wanted from that POS. :-)

Too bad I'm not in your area, otherwise I'd take you up on the Line-X offer. One reason why I've decided on Line-X over a Rhino Liner is their lifetime gaurantee.

[TundrastruckDave]

Originally Posted by TundraTRX

What I'm trying to protect against is those minor and annoying low speed impacts that cause enough damage to annoy you and be visible, but are less than or equal to your insurance premium to fix (mine's $250). I had a nice 'bender in my S-10 where I put a fist sized dent in the front bumper from hitting a pole. Couldn't be easily fixed, and to "replace" the bumper was $254. By the time I sold my truck, I never had it fixed, but that didn't stop me from getting what I wanted from that POS. :-)

Too bad I'm not in your area, otherwise I'd take you up on the Line-X offer. One reason why I've decided on Line-X over a Rhino Liner is their lifetime gaurantee.

Don't wanta' be the bearer of "bad news", but $254 isn't gonna' cover the cost of a new rear bumper for your Tundra! Toyota dealer parts dept. cost... $397 to the penny , if memory serves me correctly. I got mine at dealer cost (i.e. $310) thank the Lord, because I called the owner of the dealership, which I bought my truck from and gave him my "idiot driver (me) sob story" about SLOWLY backing into the sign post. He was very understanding and offered to help, buy selling me the bumper at his cost. Gotta' thank him for that!

Jus' a little FYI for furture reference, if you should ever need a new rear bumper, that is... . Good Lord willing, you won't!

[longwoodklon]

Originally Posted by TundrastruckDave

Don't wanta' be the bearer of "bad news", but $254 isn't gonna' cover the cost of a new rear bumper for your Tundra! Toyota dealer parts dept. cost... $397 to the penny , if memory serves me correctly.

Yeah, and that doesn't include the plastic pieces on top and all the little odds and ends. I have to say, I never got any dings in my bumper. One day my truck was rear ended, and I was surprised by how well the bumper stood up, all things considered. I mean, the impact was so hard the bed hit the rear of the cab and my truck was pushed into the car in front. I suspected that what really helped was the hitch(which is held to the frame with 6 bolts and then bolts to the center of the bumper. I can tell you, the ins. was close to $900 for a new rear bumper ***'y and Toyota hitch. After hearing everyone's comments on the wimpy rear bumper, I'm even more inclined to believe that hitch really helped to save my a$$, so to speak. /Mike

[greybeards22]

I put one on which i bought from PREFORMANCE PRODUCTS . I liked the way it looks and it does the job in case of smaller type of backup" problems". not a hard install but it takes two people to make it easier.

[TundraTRX]

Thanks for all of the help!

I know I probably couldn't get a new bumper for $254, because, well it is a Toyota and Toyota parts aren't always "cheap." I also never paid that to get my S-10 bumper fixed because I really didn't have it long, compared to how long I plan on keeping my Tundra. Because I plan on having my Tundra for a while (at least three more years), I of course want to protect it as much as possible.

[Jelorian]

Sorry to revive an old thread but I'm looking for a rear bumper guard for my 06 DC. The plastic bumper cover on the Limited edition isn't gonna cut it when parking in SF.

* This is how they parallel park here. Arriving to park: Pull up to open spot, back it in very slowly till you hit the car behind you, slowly go forward till you hit car in front of you, back up slightly to leave 6" of space.

Leaving parking spot, back up slowly till you hit the car behind you, if you can get out, pull into traffic, if you can't, pull forward slowly till you hit the car in front of you, back up slowly till you hit the car behind you, repeat as necessary, pull into traffic.

I want to either protect my bumpers or at least try and deter people from using that bump to park method.

Searching online, I find that the Waag is pretty popular. At least online it is.

I've seen pictures of it on other trucks and I have an idea what it looks like, but I have yet to see one mounted on a Tundra.

The only other one I can seem to find is one made by Smittybilt and Smittybilt's part number for the black version is 121049. I don't know if it will even fit my 06.

Are there any other choices out there besides those 2? I can't seem to track one down for an 06 DC and I'm not sure if there were significant changes from an 04/05 to an 06 in terms of the rear section of the truck where the bumper guard would bolt up.

Oh, yeah, I'm also hoping that this rear bumper guard will have some place for me to bolt up some aux backup lights.

Thanks!

Jel

[oconn11]

Just installed rear bumper gaurd from WAAG on my 06 Highlander. its 4 bolts to the frame. I had to remove the rear tow loops. So far so good, looks great VERY solid. Bought from truckdepo on ebay for $189..

[greybeards22]

I put one on two years ago and it paid for itself threefold.!!!! It is a solid installation and requires time and patience.. Kind of fits to the looks of my truck.. Will recommend getting one if the price is right.