Low Profile Bumper and winch combo?

Sometime in the next year I would like to add a Low Profile bumper and winch to my 2020 TRD Off Road. Lots of choices on the web, however I see very few on the 4Runners I see on the road. Any of you end up with one that's a good match for your 4Runner?

 

I have an SOS concepts bumper, which is pretty similar to the other options. I picked it because I wanted the medium height bull bar.

Victory 4×4, C4, Southern Style Off-road, Warn, and others make good looking options as well

My winch is a Warn EVO 10S. 10K lb capacity, synthetic line, wireless remote with hardwired option. I've used it a few times now, and it's been excellent.

 

If you want one without a bull bar, artec industries makes one that's a little less common to see. They're on the affordable side and I like the higher recovery points and recessed winch mount

 

C4 LoPro w/Warn 10S winch. The lights are Extreme LED X6S. We're really loving the look and overall functionality of the setup.

 

Lots of good options here. I had a C4 fab lo pro with a Warn VR10S and it was a great kit. SSO, Victory 4x4, Dissent Off Road, Hefty Fab, and Shrockworks are also other options to look at.

 

SSO and Smittybilt x20

 

Warn VR10 winch & Warn Bumper:



Check out the Body Armor bumper that Sandbuster just put on. Looks like you can choose to put on or leave off the bull bar. Price looks even better than my Warn.
https://www.4runners.com/threads/body-armor-bumper.20709/

 

I’m planning to add one to my 2020 SR5 premium,
I have a Warn M8000 that I just serviced and will swap to synthetic line.
I want a high bull bar and access to the clutch and plug for controller.
I also don’t want to interfere with the radar cruise control.
I think the Warn bumper checks all the boxes, but maybe there’s a better choice?
I think Southern Style OR and C4 both offer high clearance wings if I want to add them in the future?
Anyone running these bumpers? How is the access?
I don’t want to have to open the hood to work the clutch or plug in the controller

 

It's a good idea to keep the hood open while operating the winch. If something breaks, it could protect you from flying debris. Just a thought.

Most bumpers have hand-holes. Mine does, but the light bar gets in the way, so I just pop some of the fasteners for the plastic trim piece above the radiator and reach in there.

 

Warn now offers a bumper without the bull bar for the 20+ models.

$644 free shipping.
https://www.automotivestuff.com/warn-106254-semi-hidden-mounting-kit.html

https://www.warn.com/semi-hidden-kit-for-14-toyota-4runner-wno-grill-guard-106254-2



I'm on year 3 with my Warn bumper and have no complaints. Missouri requires a front license plate and the Warn came drilled for them.

 

While we’re at it, how much extra bumper/winch weight can the stock suspension comfortably handle?

 

I think if I planned on keeping stock suspension, I probably would avoid a full bumper and winch combo. Although you could get an aluminum bumper to save weight, I wouldn't realistically want to put my stock height truck in a position that requires a winch to get out of.

I keep a come along winch under the seat, I may invest in some stronger front recovery points. Once I have a lift, I'd consider a bumper and winch for my rig. To each their own of course

 

Yeah I carry a come-along in my Tacoma now, but sometimes I worry if it’s going to do the job. I do my best to avoid getting into a situation where it’s necessary as I do all my off-roading alone.

 

It's definitely a last resort for me. It's limited in capacity, and outs you right in the middle of the danger zone while winching. I also carry a recovery strap, I would much rather be pulled out by a stranger than winch out by myself.

I may also invest in some max trax knock offs before too long, more options never hurt

 

A low profile bumper/winch combo will probably cause a little sag on stock springs. It will handle it, though. The ideal solution is aftermarket shocks and springs designed for the weight.

Adding the weight first can be good, though, as you won't have to readjust suspension as you add things.

A cheap option if the front end does sag would be something like Bilstein 5100's and medium load springs.

I have medium load springs in front and heavy load springs in the rear and barely notice the 400-600# extra I constantly haul around.

A come-along is a good tool to have for sure! A shovel and good traction boards will get you out of a pickle as well.

 

I’m all about the c4. Just know, you’re gonna wait months for almost every bumper. There are a few like the warn you can get pretty quick.

 

I love the way you did your bumper cuts! Which fog lights are those?

 

those were just OEM with lamin-x. Have diode now

 

Funny.. I have been eyeing up the Diode Dynamics Pro SS3 PRO in Yellow.

How do you like them?

 

they are bright as shit. Turn them off and it’s like my headlights aren’t even on lol
Great lights for sure

 

Which version did you get?

 

The pro’s. Sku dd6191

 

Awesome! Thank you! That's exactly what I'm looking at.

 

Love the C4, but I hate the thought of cutting. I know if you ever go the bumper route you have to. Wish Toyota made that a separate piece that can be removed.

 

You could try to find a matching bumper over in a salvage yard and cut that one up.

 

Could work but:

1. I don't even have my new 4Runner yet
2. I doubt there will be many Lunar Rocks in the salvage yard lol

 

I ended up with the Victory Blitz bumper without bull bar. Aurora 20 Inch Single Row LED LightBar. Smittybilt winch and Baja Fogs.

 

You're going to want to lift it right away...

No lift no winch or bumper:

Warn bumper with steel cable Warn Winch - note the front end sag:


Eibach Pro Truck Lift (4 coils 4 shocks) set on the lowest front shock setting:


The lightest weight winch combo will be a hidden winch. A couple different companies make them. LFD has 2 to choose from.
With Recovery Points (heavier)
https://www.lfdoffroad.com/catalog/...n-winch-mount-with-recovery-points-5th-gen-4r
Without recovery points (lighter)
https://www.lfdoffroad.com/catalog/toyota/5th-gen/bumpers/adj-hwm

Rago Fab also has one: Some more reading here on other options:
https://trail4runner.com/2019/02/28/undercover-hidden-winch-mount-systems/

Problem with these is you really have to dig your hand in there by the radiator to access the controls. When you're stuck and need the winch, easy access to the controls is a plus. Being frustrated and then having to dig for the winch controls is bit of a pita.

 

Agree that it would be great if the front bumper did not require cutting to add these after market updates we all love. Would not be too complicated for Toyota to have that center piece a separate bolt on. More after market bumpers would be out there if owners did not have to make a permanent change. Tough today to put it back if you don't like what you end up with!

 

Probably the cleanest looking option out there, not bulky at all. The aluminum version is a little pricey but still not terrible, and only 35lbs which is pretty nice