The Toyota 4Runner has earned a reputation for being a reliable, formidable, capable and comfortable overlanding SUV, and with the latest 5th Gen model, it also comes with the creature comforts to keep mom and kids happy on normal school runs and daily commutes.
The factory front bumper makes the vehicle suffer on some technical trails and obstacles due to its added overhang, even though it is quite capable for overlanding and the average trail out of the box. With modern vehicles, manufacturers must take all kinds of laws and regulations into account, such as additional pedestrian safety precautions and such, and this often means, on the front bumper, that they have to provide some valuable approach angles and tow points.
Several of the before and aftermarket front bumpers can increase the approach angle, however all of the options we would ever consider do provide a secure towing point in case of a collision with an object or animal suddenly encountered on a road at night or while traveling remote roads. By adding spot, driving and auxiliary lighting mounting points, they will also be more accessible and safer to use.
Fortunately, with the popularity of the Toyota 4Runner over the past few years (also thanks to the popular TRD editions), many manufacturers have started providing specific options for this vehicle, and we are happy with our selection. The following are a few aftermarket front bumpers that have been tested both on the trails and in online forums that we have selected as the first upgrade you should make to your 4Runner before going off-road, overlanding, or trail riding. Below is a list of the best bumpers on the 5th generation 4Runner
WARN Semi-Hidden Fixed Winch Mount Bumper
A very similar bumper to the one on the top of the SSO, this one is also very well offset compared to the factory front bumper of the 4Runner and very well incorporated into that look as well. This one does not have the same level of custom options as the SSO model, but offers the same utility, including recovery points and winch mounts, for a much lower price. Aside from that, Warn has a long history of proving to be reliable with regards to their products for many years.
Fab Fours Premium Front Bumper
Yes, you will likely see Fab Fours on this list a few times because I think they are a very cool brand that is built with high quality and is unique.
Fab Fours Premium Front Bumper lets you put much more tire clearance on your lifted truck and protects it from damage.
A two-piece mounting system secures the bumper securely so it can be modified to fit and is winch-ready as well.
A pair of 60mm turn signals and 90mm fog lights help to clear out any fog or poor weather conditions beforehand.
It is made up of 1/4″ and 3/16″ steel, which is a combination of the strongest materials currently on the market.
Iron Cross HD Push Bar
This Iron Cross HD Push Bar Bumper is proudly manufactured in the United States and offers superior damage resistance in addition to many other features. This bumper is also equipped with mounts that allow you to add fog lights of a diameter of 4 inches.
Additionally, the bumper can be equipped with a winch, providing you with the flexibility to overcome difficult off-road obstacles. This bumper features dual-welded shackle mounts allowing even more room for accessorizing. Thanks to the thick ten-gauge steel, a bumper can hold up to any punishment it is exposed to, both on and off the highway.
Hammerhead Rear Bumper
Would you like to upgrade the rear bumper of your truck with a diamond plate? There is a small amount of rust on each individual piece of the Ranch Hand Sport Series Rear Bumper, but it is easy to remove with the included pads. It also has oval LED lights built in and is compatible with the factory hitch on your truck.
There are 40 pipes that make up the bumper and it is made of diamond plate steel.
Westin HDX Bumper
Presented here is a robust one-piece steel front bumper (the lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel). This machine is capable of pulling medium-size winches up to 9-1/2 inches tall due to its fully-welded construction. Owners of Power Wagons and Tremors should be aware that this bumper will not fit in with factory integrated winches, and they’ll have to opt for another option.
As a result of its adjustable mounting brackets and 1″ thick shackle mounts, the bumper can play well with just about any off-road adventure, thanks to its versatility. It can be used to accommodate the addition of aftermarket lighting up to a length of a bit over 12 inches, and its textured powder coating is almost certain to take everything the trail throws at it in stride.