Let's talk about Viper Cuts!

Okay, so we're all well aware of my dumb-ass driving and the result of it! I was able to clean up and mitigate the damage so it looks very minimal.

I was looking at Viper Cuts and found out they aren't all the same. One online shop said there were 3 levels of cut. I like the look of the extreme (see picture below) and this will remove the exposed damage I have.

So, tell me about pro's and con's, cost and tips. If I go this route, I'll pay someone to do it. I can't bring myself to take a saw to my ride. Oh, and if you can recommend a shop in the Fort Worth/Mansfield/Arlington area that'd be awesome too.

This is what my bumper looks like now:




And this is the cut I think I want to go with:

 

check out Tread Depot

 

Will do! They're very close. Thanks bro.

 

Not sure on pricing in your area, but Apex Overland (NC) that has done work for me charges I believe $85 for a viper cut. I will be going there later this month to get plus weight front coils installed, along with a BMC, as I'm getting ready to have my SSO Slimline installed with larger tires in my hopefully near future. Good luck with it.

 

Waiting to see a post where
Viper Cuts = Raptor Lights

 

Viper cuts = high clearance?

 

Only approach right at the wheels, no improvement to the vehicle’s centerline. Works well for bouldering but AFAIK not necessary for general trails.

If you think about it, having that kind of clearance to get a tire up onto a boulder that large you’ll most certainly be dragging a slider.

 

Viper cuts??? Pfffftt… Bunch of pikers.

 

That is hilarious, awesome and disgusting at the same time. Well done sir.

 

@Borracho Loco
I did virtually that exact cut in the photograph there, extreme clearance cut. I may be the only person who painted the bottom portion of the “curve” black so it disappears. No bad ideas.

these photos may be of use to you, and the shop.








Tips:
*Fender liners do differ from each other. You will have to cut off /or melt decent amount of fender liner, and deal with partially exposed pink reservoir (I just painted it instead of adding a skid cover /or relocation kit)




*Fog lamp assembly has a black plastic cover on the passenger side only. I ordered a spare from Toyota and fastened with hot glue and tie-straps (looks and works good actually).
I can’t find the part# for you, I gave up.

 

ha no

 

Hi Loco. Excellent rehab on that fender!

if you want to have a viper cut because it would be of benefit on the trails you frequent then by all means go for it. But if your main motivation is to cut off the damaged portion of your bumper, I’d skip it. I respect the viper cut for its functionality, but I think they are ugly. YMMV.

I remember reading about a plastic filler panel that covers the hole in the underside of the fender left by the viper cut. It potects the fog lights and wiring and gives the whole affair a more finished look. I can’t remember the name of the company that makes it. Anyway, if I were to do a viper cut I would choose the particular style of cut that accommodates those finish pieces.

 

Thanks!

I don't wheel that much or at all, so the cut would be for looks only.

I'm considering the following:

1) Leaving it as is. I put some touch up paint on it and, to be honest, I haven't noticed the damage at all. Even before I cleaned it up. This is obviously the cheapest, because I'd do nothing, and that costs nothing.
2) Viper cut it. Very high. Again, purely for looks and to hide the damage. This is kind of cheap because it may be $100 or less. (Maybe a bit more)
3) Go all in and get a full steel bumper. I found one from CBI that I really like. It can be seen here. If I went this route I would get it powder coated or rhino lined to color-match my 4Runner. If I'm going this route, I'm going to do it right. I also know this will cost me $2500+ with parts, painting and install.

I'm weighing all my options right now. I'm in no rush at all. The truck is drivable, no drive train components were damaged.

 

You left out the option of having a body shop repair it. Have you priced that out? Or just not interested in going that route?

 

im torn about this mod. If it helps clear stuff go for it!

 

Nah. That would be very costly.

 

Okay fine. Phony up some pinstripes to disguise it as a badge of honor instead of an oh-no moment.

 

Only other thought is being the Anniversary Edition would you want to keep stock or limit to reversible mods?

 

Doesn’t look like much damage. I’ve got something similar on my rear fender from rubbing a canyon wall.

Some touch up paint, 2500 grit sandpaper, buff and polish and it’s basically gone if you’re more than 3 feet away


Sorry for the sh*t giant photo. Ran downstairs to take a pic of this for you Borracho

 

Get some of that anniversary model striping tape and stripe from the fog lights over to the wheel well. Cover the boo boo and add something distinctive.

Or ask the insurance company to total it.

 

Number 3. It will ride better since you’ll have to get all new suspension to support the added weight. Might as well get a winch… and 285s to keep everything proportional. Re-gearing is optional with 285s, but it’s not a bad idea, so you probably should have that done too. The gearing also gives you an option to bump it to 34s at some point in the future.





Or just keep things as is, it’s almost invisible anyway.

 

Easy fix...

https://c4fabrication.com/collections/4runner/products/4runner-hybrid-front-bumper-5th-gen-2014

 

I would leave it, but I am not really a fan of ye olde viper cut, and minor scrapes and such don't really bother me.

 

Any interest in a paint-matched replacement bumper cover?

 

I get you scuffed your bumper. Why not just get it touched up or repaired?

 

Cutting the fender liner in the area on the passenger side exposes the washer fluid reservoir to road/tire debris. Anyone doing a full high-clearance bumper needs to deal with the same problem. You can either get a shield for it, or get a replacement reservoir kit that mounts in the engine compartment. Examples:
https://optoffroad.com/products/sca...servoir-relocation-kit?variant=43619856089346
https://www.expeditiononestore.com/Washer-Fluid-Kit_p_52.html (far more expensive)

 

IDK, I’d just get the bumper you really want. I like C4

 

If I were you I would go see “Shorty” right in your area of DFW. This guy is a class act and I have watched him work on many classic vehicles and restorations. His reputation in the classic vehicle painting is excellent. I would trust him 100 percent.

He started off working for Martin Brothers and then started his own shop. I almost sent my 4R to him for a repair then ended up getting a 2024 instead.

https://shortyscustompaint.com/

I have the utmost confidence if anyone can match that red paint it’s him.

 

He would also be a great contact to be correct any brewing issue with the rear garnish on the rear hatch pinching the paint.