Rear bumper replacement

[frohbego]

I wanted to look into replacing my soon to be rusted out rear bumper (chrome).

Any write ups out there and is this easy to do. Do I need to remove the tow hitch as well?

[neliconcept]

its relatively easy to do, just a lot of bolts to take off, taking the hitch off would make it easier to get off though. and easier to get to the bolts attached to the body

[frohbego]

Whats a good site to order the parts from? Looks like its 3 metal bumper parts and i also want to replace the rubber foot step thats on top.

[YotaFun]

Honestly you don't have to take the hitch off to get to it.
I didn't.

parts.com I think is your best bet for those parts, or eBay.

Your in the neighborhood, I could help you if you'd like,
God only knows how many times I have taken the bumper on and off my truck. I have to do it again to repaint mind and change the side wings.

[frohbego]

Thanks yotafun. Does the plastic step on the top just snap into place.

[YotaFun]

I believe it has a few nuts to remove too, I can't remember mines been gone for so long lol!

But its really simple to get it all off.

[Seanz0rz]

plastic just pulls off

[BruceTS]

It's a whole process to get the bumper off. Remove the spare tire and then the hitch, it'll make it easier, that's only 4 to 6 bolts from the underside. With a screwdriver you can unclip the plastic shroud from underneath, then unbolt the bumper sides and remove them, once those are done, then you can access the rest of the bolts to take the bumper off.

[YotaFun]

You guys really had to take your hitch off? I don't remember having to do that....

[MTL_4runner]

Taking the hitch off does make it easier to get at the bolts underneath.
I'll need torches to get the bolts off mine though, they look like they came up off the ocean floor.