Advice on rear bumper upgrade

So I am in the market for a new rear bumper upgrade. I have a 2015 trail in black and it is my daily driver. I need it to be tire swing-out compatible as I have 295/70/17 toyo RT's and they will not fit in the factory spare location, because bigger is better obviously.

After doing some online research cbi off road and hefty fabworks are my two finalists. I live in Denver, CO and am leaning towards hefty fabworks due to their location in Colorado Springs along with a recommendation from my shop (RSG off road, which by the way is doing a SAS of a 5th gen black trail. Check them out on Facebook or instagram).

Here is the link for the hefty fabworks model. And pictured on the black 4runner.

Here is a link for the cbi off road model. And pictured on the silver 4runner.

Here are my thoughts and some information I have gathered from various sources.

The hefty fabworks bumper is more expensive but also almost half the labor cost of the cbi (I will be paying for install as I do not have the necessary tools or knowledge for it). I am not sure why but this is what I was told from my shop. I believe in the end cost will be very similar post install if this is true (can anybody attest to this?). Another issue I noticed was that if I choose the reverse light option on the hefty fabworks model will I lose recovery point or shackle attachment (I noticed the recovery points was present without reverse lights and absent with lights)? CBI has been around for a bit and I'm under the impression that they are more reputable due to hefty fabworks being a newer company. I am interested in aluminum as my 4runner is currently my daily driver and believe that hefty fabworks are now making an aluminum rear bumper with a high clearance hitch. I cannot decipher if the cbi model is steel or aluminum, or if they even offer a selection.

I'm leaning towards hefty fabworks due to an aluminum model being offered and being local like previously mentioned. If price and quality would be about the same I think I'm at a debate over looks. Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

David

 

@Dimhof Did you ever end up chasing between the two? I am in the same boat here...

 

Decided on the hefty. They have a good reputation and were local at the time (I moved to Salt Lake recently). I also chose hefty due to the aluminum option because my 4R is a daily driver. Another reason was because I heard that cbi's install is more extensive than the hefty model.

It should be done within 7 days, I'll post some pics. I went with their aluminum model, tire swing-out, dual jerry, hi lift mount and reverse lights. This model will have the high clearance hitch and recovery points. One of the few they've fabricated with those last 2 mods in aluminum I believe. I ordered some toytec hd rear coils, I'll have 2 toytec 2.0 superflex coils to get rid of soon fyi, cbi full skid, and c4 sliders.

Ohhhh I've been anxiously waiting the delivery for about 4 months now.

 

@Dimhof thanks for the reply. Would be curious to see how long the king the install takes as most places are quoting the same time as the CBI at 6 hours...would love to hear some feedback and pictures once installed thanks! Ps 4 months :|

 

PICS!!! keep us posted!

 

@Dimhof yes! pics and run down on install etc please!

 

I moved to SLC recently and my buddy with the tools and know-how is in Denver. Unfortunately I will be paying for a local shop to install. No word on ship date but was told 'soon'. I'll hang out at the shop and get some install pics for you crafty buggers. CBI full skid back from powder coat in 7 days and C4 sliders ship the 31st.

Waiting on parts is like getting jacked up on mountain dew with nothing to do...:/

 

Exciting! But wow! Still waiting after the 4 month lead time, I thought that was already pretty lengthy compared to the other manufacturers!

 

I redact my 4 month statement as time frame was miscalculated, my order was placed Jan 31, so right now it is at 15 weeks. They state on their website 14-16 weeks. I do not want to tarnish hefty in any way shape or form. I have always been impatient. Anything can happen in that length of a lead time, life, mishaps etc, and I imagine december/January is the beginning of their busy season as orders are placed for the upcoming season. This is a recent pic on their IG of a similar model. It will be well worth the wait and I will try to share as much info as possible to be helpful

 

@Dimhof any sign of the bumper??

 

@PacNW I wish. Hefty said that they're waiting on it to return from powder coat. I'm at 18.5 weeks right now. I did install steel full cbi skid, dropped c4 rock sliders off at powder coat today, and ordered trd cai, magnaflow muffler, and ditch lights and brackets. Next is some new wheels. The wait for goodies is agony!

 

@Dimhof ugh....I just placed my order last Tuesday...really hope I'm not waiting 18.5 plus weeks I'd go crazy!!!

 

Im learning that Xmas is a great time to place orders...

 

On a side note I did learn that it comes with a license plate relocate and built in plate light, which I'm more than ecstatic about. I'll keep you updated. I'm hoping/praying for everything installed by July 1st

 

They make great stuff and have great reputation. I'd bet they know build time is very long at the moment and expansion is the future

 

I think they moved into a new place a few months ago if I recall correctly, fingers crossed that helps bring down that lead time.

 

And we're over 20 weeks

 

Have you emailed Chris yet to see what's up? 20 weeks is just crazy talk! I know once mine hits 14 weeks I'll be emailing weekly lol

 

I emailed may 30, waiting on the powder coat. I emailed june 18, no response yet.

 

You can also try to private message him on the Hefty Fab IG page or if there hasn't been a response since your email June 18th I would be calling like every day till communication was there. So sorry to hear this happened to you, I would be frustrated to say the least.

 

Yea...I'm frustrated. Not much I can do, if I demanded a full refund i might not get it/only partial. Then im out a bumper until another fabricator takes 12-14 weeks. Order was placed jan 30

 

I hear ya...very tough situation. Hefty Fab has such nice stuff, I went back and forth between the CBI swing out 6-8 week lead time) and Hefty fab (14-16 week lead time) too and overall I weighed that the double wait time was worth it with Hefty fab, but Im really really hoping it does not go over 16 weeks I would be so bummed... At first hopes were high it might even be done before the 14 week time frame, but after hearing your story I wont hold my breath...

 

Yea i hear ya. If i would have placed this order in the late spring i wouldnt have been able to use it until snow started falling again

 

On a side note i have 5 ray 10's in brushed gold arriving tomorrow

 

I placed the order for the bumper through my shop in CO and believe there was some miscommunication on add-ons that is contributing to extra...extra time. Thats what i tell myself late at night when i hit the ol' refresh on the email inbox anyhow

 

Hang in there brother. It'll look bad ass and just remember this wait is a one time thing. If you were to go with another fabricator who half assed it you'd have to be going back which means more time. Can't wait to see your pics.

 

Appreciate the optimism. Speaking of one time purchases/installations, I threw on my 2nd set of seat covers yesterday (purchased from wet okole, great product by the way), and remembered how much of a pain in the ass install is. I dont think I'll ever replace unless i have to

 

Used to have them in my Tundra. They are awesome covers that lasted longer than the imitation leather toyota uses. haha

 

Just spoke to Chris Hefty, bumper will ship this monday!

 

Wow! Great news!! Pictures please!!