There’s no shortage of aftermarket front bumpers for the 3rd Gen Tacoma. The biggest consideration when picking one is whether to go with a tube, plate, or hybrid variation.
Over the past few years, DRT Fabrication has exploded on the scene and developed some great products for the Tacoma platforms and beyond. They fabricate smaller modifications like bed stiffeners, hitch skids, cab mount relocation brackets, and larger items like front and rear bumpers. One of the newest additions to their product lineup is the long-awaited front plate bumper.
Their original hybrid bumper for the Tacoma became popular quickly after its launch. That was followed by a high-clearance rear bumper that was equally as popular. Unsurprisingly, they started to receive requests about a front plate bumper and they have finally delivered. It was well worth the wait!
Table Of Contents
Features & Specs
- Only 118 lbs. (without any added accessories)
- Ships raw steel
- 3/16″ steel construction
- Frame support brackets included
- Works with TRD skid plates
- Fits a 10k or 12k winch
- 1/4″ aluminum winch skid plate
- 3 bull bar options available (low, mid, high)
- Aluminum winch fairlead backing plate
- Removable light covers
- TSS compatible (except low height bull bar)
Who Is DRT Fabrication?
Owner and founder Derik began his fabrication career at a young age. After going to school to become a fabricator, he started to develop odd-end projects for his shop that would soon turn into DRT Fabrication. He created the business from the ground up, out of his garage.
Derik takes pride in his craftsmanship. Anyone who has seen his work can attest to the high-quality welds that make people drool. As the business started to take shape, Derik took to social media and forums where he formed a reputation as a detail-oriented fabricator.
This is a small company based out of Arizona. Over just a few short years, they’ve quickly grown and now offer a complete product lineup for some of the most popular trucks such as Toyota, Ford, and Chevy. Of course, Derik plans to continue expanding his product lineup to keep up with the growing demand for his work.
First Thoughts
Most full plate bumpers for the Tacoma platform look similar but that’s not the case with DRT’s. I love this bumper’s minimal design that retains maximum functionality.
There are no compromises with this bumper; you get higher front clearance than other options and maximum protection, all in a lightweight package (for the category). The fog light pockets have a unique honeycomb mesh screen that holds two lights instead of just one, something you can usually only do with a hybrid bumper not a plate bumper.
The winch cut-out is recessed to reduce the chances of bashing it on the trail and has a separate aluminum skid plate that adds a touch of detail but can also be replaced if damaged.
Tube Vs. Plate Vs. Hybrid
If you’re unfamiliar with the differences between these bumper types, let’s start by comparing tube and plate. These were the original options before hybrid became an option.
Plate bumpers were typically used on vehicles that did not need to go fast but needed strong armor. Tube bumpers, on the other hand, were designed for high-speed builds like Baja race trucks that needed front protection but saving weight was the top priority.
Down the road (pun intended), hybrid bumpers were developed by combining the two designs. They comprise a center plate portion with tubes for the outer wings. This design gives hybrid bumpers a strong center structure for a winch and protection and saves weight with lighter side protection.
- Tube – Rigs designed to go fast and have a minimal need for armor.
- Plate – A rock crawler that needs maximum protection.
- Hybrid – Weekend warriors that want excellent protection while saving weight.
DRT has several different front bumpers, including their new crossmember delete version. Super lightweight, even more clearance, and includes a new front skid plate to match.
Final Thoughts
This bumper is sharp, and despite having a minimalist design, is more unique than other options on the market. I think DRT Fabrication killed it with this one.
From the recessed aluminum winch skid plate to the mesh-styled fog pocket grilles, all the way to how the bumper’s lines follow those on the truck, you can tell there’s a lot of work into the R&D.
Over the years, I have had a few bumpers on my build, and I’ve also seen many other builds with different bumpers both plate and tube. If you’re in the market, this bumper stands out from the rest, with several unique features that should put it at the top of your list.
