Prado Mods > Front bumper skirts and cutting

[Rob S]

Hi all,

Been a few conversations across various threads and on the drives so thought I would write a dedicated post and encourage others to share their photos also.

In my personal opinion, the front bumper skirts need to be removed straight after your absolute newbie. While some have got through Newbie levels without issues, myself and others have not!

For front bumper cut, I did after some research and understanding that this was the most susceptible area for damage if approaching or coming down at angles other than "straight ahead". I did this ready for Fewbie and it gave me great confidence and removed any damage worry from my mind. 

Note: to cover the holes, I suggest to go shopping on amazon and search "bumper retainer clips" and take your pick! Alternatively, find me on a drive, I've got loads now 🤣

Mine is  GXR/VXR Prado 150 2014-2017 model year

 

Below is the "Before Removal"

 

Here is the "After removal" 

 

For Bumper Cutting, below are some photos 

Edited February 3, 2022 by Rob S

[Rob S]

For Newer Model, 2017-2021 I hope @Patrick van der Loo can add some photos of his skirts before and after.  @Waqas Parvez i think you have just had your bumper cut on this model type? 

[ASAD.]

Thanks for starting this thread @Rob S. You are right, bumper trim is probably the most viable and cost effective solution to improve Prado's approach angle.

Worthwhile to mention few options for custom bumpers that i came across  during my search but most of those designs were for metal bumpers. Not only are they expensive, they add quite a bit of weight to the nose whereas the idea for dune bashing is to keep the car as light as possible. So from a cost - benefit point, I found this option is more about the looks of the car than actual need on the drive. They also become an issue for RTA passing. 

The other option is to get a custom fiber bumper. Found a guy in Sharjah who does all types of car bumpers. The benefit i found was that it provides a finished look and had provisions to integrate light bars but the idea of improving the approach angle was the same as what a bumper trim would provide. 

btw I havent been able to decide on any of the above options for now 😂. My front skirting has survived my drives so far. 

[Gaurav]

Well done @Rob S for sharing the details to help others.

Maybe you can spray paint the clips to match white, just a thought. Unless you like the looks of having 13 parking sensors in front, lol.

[Waqas Parvez]

 

@Rob S I agree. It enhances your approach angle and also offers your front tyre more space since it rubs against your mud guard at times, allowing your tyres to rotate freely.  

@Asadanother issue with metal or aluminum bumpers is that when they are involved in an accident  insurance will not cover them because they are illegal. Plastic bumpers, on the other hand, are designed in such a way that pedestrian collisions are not as fatal,my front skirting survived the Liwa Drive, but I saw it on another car split into two pieces and decided to replace it🙂, sharing below and after images

Edited February 4, 2022 by Waqas Parvez

[ASAD.]

Hi @Waqas Parvez thats very neat. Looks like you have done the lift also, if so which one did you go with and what offset wheels? Did you get bigger tyres with the wheels as well or are these the stock 265/65s

[Vasja Zupan]

Hi @Waqas Parvez, your mod looks super nice, I'm researching to do similar or replace the bumper for fibre one. Metal look nice but apparently one would need to pull it of every year to get trough inspection. Besides we do not have kangaroos here ... 

I have a 2021 Prado Adventure (with additional lips/spoiler below bumpers - even lower then without).

Would you mind sharing where did you get skid plate and bumper trim? My whatsapp is +971525086821. 

Thanks.

[Patrick van der Loo]

Before and after pics attached. I stayed modest compared to Rob. I had the spoilers (already cracked the rear) removed and installed a bash-plate 

the problem with the adventure model Prado are these spoilers and the holes they leave behind when you remove them. Mine is plugged and looks like a Dalmatian but I can live with it. Still cracked my bumper at the fro t though, so cutting at some point will be inevitable. 

[Waqas Parvez]

3 hours ago, ASAD. said:

Hi @Waqas Parvez thats very neat. Looks like you have done the lift also, if so which one did you go with and what offset wheels? Did you get bigger tyres with the wheels as well or are these the stock 265/65s

Thanks,i have recently install suspension which gave almost only 0.4inch lift,my standard tyres were 19inch with 265/55 and the rims were 8inch in width, the new ones are 17inch with with 265/65 and rims are 9inch in width,with 0 offsets,after install the rims and tyres i felt significant improvement on road and off road drive.

Edited February 4, 2022 by Waqas Parvez

[ASAD.]

1 hour ago, Waqas Parvez said:

which gave almost only 0.4inch lift,my standard tyres were 19inch

from the pictures the lift is quite noticeable, i am surprised its only 0.4 inch. If you dont mind would also love to get some more details on the trim and lift options you have chosen, my whatsapp is +971551238903.