2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma Front Plate Bumper
Start by removing the factory bumper. First the grille should be removed by pulling the plastic clips at the top of
the grille and removing the two screws. The grill should pull out toward the front of the truck. The lower
headlight trim pieces should be popped outward toward the center of the truck to allow the bumper to move
forward. The bumper has several bolts and clips at the bottom and in the wheel wells, be sure all clips and
bolts are removed and the bumper will pop out toward the front. There are black “hubs” on either side of the
fenders that the bumper clicks into, they should also be removed.
Next step is to remove the factory aluminum crash bumper, it is held on by 6 nuts, 3 on each side. Save the
nuts, they will be reused. The crash bumper is often a press fit onto the studs and will require using rubber
mallet or dead blow to push the bumper off. Remove the factory tow hook that is on the passenger side of the
truck, bolted to bottom of cross-member. The tow hook that is permanently welded on the driver’s side will
stay.
Factory skid plates may need tabs trimmed for installation.
The thin formed sheet metal channel that runs below the headlights MAY require notching or slight bending to
clear fog lights. Notching can be done with sheet metal shears, tin snips, hack saw, etc. It just requires two
small incisions and then bend front face of channel upward.
Before mounting all of your accessories onto the bumper it is a good idea to do a test fit. With two people
minimum, carefully lift the bumper up onto the studs, use caution not to hit the fenders with the bumper. 3
people are ideal, 2 to lift and one to start the nuts on the studs. Check alignment, the bumper can be raised
and lowered to fit each different truck. The tilt of the bumper can be manipulated if needed by placing washers
on the studs, either top or bottom depending on needs. It is a good idea to leave approx. ½” gap from fenders
to allow for body flex.
Once test fit is done remove the bumper and mount accessories. The winch control solenoid may fit on the
winch mounting area depending on the size of the winch being used. Drilling mounting holes to match your
winch solenoid will be required if you are mounting solenoid in the winch mount area. Larger motor winches will
require that the solenoid be mounted either behind the grill on the center support or in the engine bay.
Mounting in the engine bay will require extending the cables but is a great option for a clean finished mount.
Once all accessories are mounted you can re-install the bumper as you did during the test fit. The bumper will
be much heavier at this point, lift with caution. Place nuts on the studs and leave loose. Lift the bumper to the
desired height and tighten down the INSIDE nuts only leave the outside studs loose.
Our reinforcement brackets slide over the frame horns and are bolted on after the bumper is set in place.
Pop off the plastic caps behind the frame horns as they are blocking your holes. You may need to tap the brackets into place.
Once in place bolt them on using the side bolts first to fully seat the bracket.
Once tight you can run the longer 5" bolt trough the back into the bumper and secure that. Finally tighten the 4 remaining studs and your set.
