3RD Gen Front Bumper Research and Advice

I recently broke (repeatedly) the front bumper of my 2022 TRD Offroad Crewmax 6.5’. I drive a lot of two track with tall sagebrush down the center, go through a lot of ditches, and regularly pinstripe my truck. After breaking my bumper I’ve decided to research aftermarket. Right now I’m running a Leer topper, decked drawers, Rek gen mudflaps, and the TRD Metal front skid plate. I have not lifted/upgraded suspension for three reasons: cost, haven’t had (many) clearance issues, and my truck is under warranty until 125k miles. I’m at 32k now and don’t want to risk voiding that warranty. I like CBI’s but wish my stock fog lights were compatible. Weight will be a problem as I’m already pretty heavy, but eventually I will negate this with better springs and a suspension overhaul.


What’s everyone’s experience with the aftermarket bumper scene for the 3rd gen? Post pics, experiences, and any info that you feel I missed. Below is a list of the common bumpers I found. I was unable to find out if the metal TRD front skid plate is compatible with these. Most weights are a ballpark estimate.


1) CBI Offroad

Link: Toyota Tundra Adventure Front Bumper 2022-2023 | CBI Offroad (cbioffroadfab.com)

Cost: 2500 (no Sale Powder coated option) +300 Shipping

Notes: Baja bumper has medium Bar, Expedition has High Bar. 155 lbs for low bar probably 180 lbs for full.

2) DV8 Offroad

Link: https://dv8offroad.com/collections/...pers/products/3rd-gen-tundra-front-bumper-mto

Cost: 1400 Free Shipping

Notes:

No Bull Bar, comes powder coated. Weight not specified probably ~150 LBS

3) C4

Link: https://c4fabrication.com/collectio...nt-bumper-3rd-gen-2023?variant=43105967276253

Cost: 2354 Free Shipping powder coating not available.

Notes: Cost if for full Bar no Accessories. Weighs 160lbs (no bar), 168lbs (low bullbar), 174lbs (mid height w/gussets), 182lbs (full bull bar with headlight hoops)

4) Addictive Desert Design

Link: https://www.addictivedesertdesigns..../products/3rd-gen-tundra-front-bumper-stealth

Cost: 2400 +100 Shipping

Notes: No bull bar, less stuff to cut and factory fog lights retained. Weight not specified probably ~150 LBS

5) Expedition One

Link: https://www.expeditiononestore.com/Tundra-2022-Ultra-Front-Bumper_p_2386.html

Cost: 3410 (full bull bar and powder coat) + 400 Shipping (to Nevada)

Notes: Factory fog lights retained, weight not specified but probably ~200 LBS

 

C4 looks the best, the rest are dog shit.

Order it through truck brigade and save 5% and no sales tax.

 

What did you end up with?

 

You look at the lil b fab bumper I'm looking to pick up that bumper after I'm able to collect some more cash 2k for the damn bumper with out lights! Damn it!

 

The Lil B's is currently my top contender. I'm waiting for him to officially release his rear bumper though to see if he offers a bumper package.

I had looked at the True North Fabricstion/SRQ Design option, but they have no photos of the hoop or different wing attachments and I'm not paying for a bumper I've never seen. I reached out to them and they seemed uninterested in providing a picture so I crossed them off my list.

 

I ended up purchasing CBI Adventure front and classic rear after I cracked all the plastic end caps on my rear bumper. I think it turned out well. I’ve been tweaking some sensor gremlins and getting lights figured out but overall really happy. Approach and departure able increased a lot. With all the extra weight I felt I needed to up the suspension so I went with 2” front and rear Dobinson MRR. The ride improved considerably.

 

I’m surprised the Ironman 4x4 bumper isn’t on your list! They try to keep them in stock. No ridiculous lead times like CBI, or expedition one. This bumper is well built, way better price. And looks the best! The cbi looks goofy like it’s missing some bars(also read some reviews on poor quality powder coating and cbi not taking care of it after just one year). check this out! I had my guys coat it with line X. I have pods in it and 10k warn evo. Sold tight fit, but the install isn’t for the faint of heart. I ended up with two! Buy this one save yourself shipping and tax! Have it coated by my guy before you get it! And or come get it installed here in Sioux Falls. Willing to meet someone half way up to 250 or so miles


@TT YOTA
@NVspearo
@TexasTacoma713
@wing-2
@ArBrnSnpr

 

Here she be

 

How are you liking your front bumper? Did you go with 700lb springs for the front weight? Does your grille light bar create a shadow or lose any effectiveness with it?

 

I love it! I haven’t scraped it on anything even in the steepest approach! Didn’t upgrade any front springs. I keep a fair amount of weight on the back with my AT habitat and my bike rack. So it’s counterweights. I have had that stuff off and the front end didn’t squat much and rode like OEM. I have an extra one if you want to get it from me

 

Update: I've had the CBI rear and full front bumper for a full season (May to January) now and wanted to share my thoughts.
Install: Front was easy, two-piece design is great. I can easily remove the bumper shell to change lights and access wiring on my own while the winch stays in place. This made it really simple to mount the winch then add the shell after instead of lifting all the weight at once. Its heavy but still light enough for a single installer to manage. Instructions were not great TBH and CBI customer support responded to questions, but it felt like herding cats. When installing the rear, they sent me a duplicate bracket instead of the mirror image. I contacted them and received the correct hardware in less than a week.
Cost: I waited for a sale and order through Running for tacos (not linked this isn't a commercial). I got my suspensions and both bumpers through them. I earned points that paid for my lighting and misc. suspension components. They also had some discount codes that popped up (I don't have them they were sales). There was another discount that doesn't exist when you check out on CBIs website, a Colorado based company didn't charge me. Shop around and be patient, if you pay more than 2500 shipped than that was bad timing.
Looks: I don't know to each there own. I like it but I also like the Ironman.
Function: Couldn't be happier. Approach and departure are miles better. I move through wash outs without a problem, before I'd rub and break parts. It is similar to my Dad's TRD Pro 4Runner for approach and departure, obviously not with hold over and size or maneuverability. This is partly due to the 2" lift, but comparing my height to stock vehicles, my lift is less than an inch with similar rake to stock. I opted for heavy duty springs front and rear from Dobinson with their MRR 2" kit front and rear. 550-700 rear and the 110-220 ish lb fronts. I like the bull bar up front; it still leaves the grill open for air flow but offers some protection for doe and smaller animal strikes. These engines run hot, I don't feel comfortable crowding the radiator where I live and play. Each their own, maybe I'm a scaredy cat.
Powder Coat: No issues, still looks great after 23K miles through snow, dirt, two track and interstate driving. I do wash truck after every trip. Nothing sits more than a day after return.
Weight: I would not run my setup without upgrading springs front and rear. Before the bumpers, with the topper, decked, passengers gear and dog my payload was gone. Adding the springs can't increase my sticker payload but that what manufacturers do so I feel good enough. Handling is way better than stock with upgraded suspension. CBI was middle of the road on overall weight.
Cons:
Customer service: I purchased through R4T's and they were great. CBI was just satisfactory. They helped but it felt like a burden. BUT they came through when it mattered, just don't expect hand holding on the install.
Rear bumper: It will only accept two specific flush mounted lights from baja and another brand. They are pricey for me.
Lights: I buy cheap Amazon lights but could not for the rear. I used baja designs S2s (?) and diode dynamics reverse light kit that piggy backed off of the trailer light wiring harness. It was plug and play. I'm waiting to add a light bar. Easy to do later because of two-piece design. I did add pod lights in place of my factory fogs. I found a cheap set on amazon that had low wattage and wired into my stock harness. I utilize factory switch. I'm not a big lights guy; I could see the lack of space being a CON for some folks.

TLDR: Good, I'd buy again. My cost, value, weight, and installation analysis still put CBI ahead. More Chukar are in danger now than last year.

 

Thanks for sharing - torn on CBI or ARB...... living in TX it'd be nice to have the Deer Deflector.... Ironman is also in ocnsideration but a bit wonky in look and worried about air to the Ic's....

 

Not to hijack the thread, but I was thinking I would save up for a C4 front bumper and have a local off road shop install it.

Has anyone heard anything about it voiding a warranty to go aftermarket with the bumpers and use a shop like that?