5th Gen Toyota 4Runner - Bumper gap solution/FIX.

Everyone that owns the 5th gen 4Runner has the same bumper gap problem and most likely did not get any support from Toyota Corp. regardless of warrantee. I tried gluing it several time with the same outcome, tried finding anyone that had a solution and was told that I might have to get a new bumper installed or rebuilt!! By chance I took my 4 Runner to a local shop in Tampa called DJ Tire & Auto located off 175 Forest Lakes Blvd. and while getting new tires (65k miles on original tires) the owner Daniel was able to fix it. He dismantled the entire bumper and reattached bumper w a modified clip that he built at his shop. I have been driving w bumper modification for over two months now that there is no change or movement. 4Runner looks new in all aspects w this modification, I have asked Daniel to reach out to local Toyota Dealership w this find & solution. I hope to share with anyone struggling to solve the bumper gap problem, truly love Toyota products (this is my 3rd) but will not lie, this is my first Toyota with this sort of problem. Glad it is fixed, and hope Toyota changes the gen 6 design….Stephen

 

You Limited trim owners sure do complain about stupid stuff a lot.

 

Welcome to the forum, I want to say that Toyota had a TSB out for this current issue regarding the fitment.

 

Welcome Stephen!

 

Gonna need some before and after pictures to see what you're talking about. How about a picture of the "modified" clip?

I've seen some large generalizations lately without any supporting data to prove "everyone" and "every 5th gen 4Runner". A guy the other day stated that "every 5th gen 4Runner has a steering wheel shake at 60mph". Simply not true. Please use supporting data to back up such claims. AND>>>

 

If mine has this peculiarity, I haven't noticed it in 5 years of ownership (bought new).

 

G*&$%# d&#@ it, now I had to get up and go look (like I really needed to). Gap? what gap, all I saw was a consistent seamline...guess I'm not a part of the "Everyone" crowd.

 

Seems to vary by vehicle based on the amount of posts on this forum. TSB was available.

 

Several owners did report that the TSB did not fix the issue. It involved some adhesive backed Velcro that worked for a short while, but the gap came back.

I've been waiting for a solution to this for a year and a half. I would be very interested in the actual details of this "fix" & "modified clip". Otherwise, it's just another myth. Any more information @srideout1973?

 

Nice welcome.

It is a real thing, and not just on Limiteds. Might be stupid to you, but it's annoying to some, and shouldn't even be an issue.

A co-worker of mine has a 1/4" gap there on each side on his 2018 SR5.

 

I had the same problem with my LE. I took it to C4 to fix.

All kidding aside, it’s great that you found someone who listened and figured it out.

 

Agreed. Serious over-generalization. It's fairly rare, but happens. It's unfortunate that Toyota didn't really come up with a fix.

 

Maybe this bumper gap problem is only on the limited 5th gen models? Sorry about not clarifying. It has been something that bothered me since I purchased it and make it a habit to see if others were having the same issue, conclusion is everyone that I have asked and discussed with has. Maybe some folks got lucky... Hope this helps.

 

What would really help is knowing how the place fixed yours.

 

Welcome.

 

The TSB pdf says it affects 2014-2020 but didn't mention a specific trim. Perhaps they fixed it after 2020.

 

I'm reviving this thread in the hopes someone might have found a real fix for this bumper gap issue. The OP, while generalizing a little too far about the extent of the issue on 4Runners, does claim the shop he went to had a permanent (so he claimed) fix, but we'll never know, as his two posts on 4runners.com were about this "fix", 17 months ago, never to return...

This is the single issue I have with my 4R that I haven't found a fix for.

 

Has your bumper cover ever been pulled off? Its not uncommon to see the little plastic "clips" on the edge of the bumper cover rounded off which makes them not "clip" into the actual plastic clipping mechanism on the fender.
If i had to guess, a soldering iron or plastic welding tool and building up the little ridge on the bumper cover that snaps into the plastic clips on the fender to give more to hold onto would be the solution.
When you pull a bumper cover off, it normally rounds the little ridges off and sometimes actually breaks them. I can send pictures in a bit, busy at the moment, i have a bumper cover that was test fitted and fit like crap due to shipping damage and i have not put on a vehicle.

 

I'd love to see any photos you might have, and possibly if you could describe the area where you mention could have the 'little ridge' built up.

And, no, I've never had the bumper cover off, or investigated the area underneath the cover that won't stay attached tightly. I've been reluctant to remove the cover thinking doing that might just make the problem worse than it already is. But, if what you say might be the solution, removing it would certainly be the next step.

I've also considered that heating that area of the bumper cover with a hair dryer once it's off the vehicle and massaging it somewhat might help also, as it seems the shape of the cover right at that point where it wants to pull up would not do that if it was reformed to be more inward, if that makes sense.

Thanks for the response.

 

These little plastic molded triangles on the bumper clip into a slot on the “receiver” which is a plastic device that bolts to the fender. Second and third pix show the plastic clip and it’s female “clip” while the bumper has male clips

Essentially these mate together when you push inward on the bumper.

Either the male clip on the bumper gets boogered and rounded off or broken off entirely or the square plastic opening on the female end got broken maybe. Watch video on how to remove bumper cover. Take it off and inspect.

 

I see now what you are saying. I'm just going to have to take the sucker off to find out what's going on in there. Thanks again for the detailed photos. For someone who's never had the bumper cover off, it was hard to picture. Can you tell if there is one of the female clips and a corresponding male clip on the bumper cover right underneath the headlight where this circled corner is?


That's my problem area.

 

Yes, the plastic "clip" that bolts to the fender clips all the way up that radius, and into that sharp corner of the bumper. There is a "clip" on both sides of that sharp point

 

Thanks again. You've given me more useable information in a few minutes than I've gotten in years of searching.