How many times have you asked yourself this question: “Do I really need a rear bumper?”
The answer to that question is largely dependent on your needs as an off-roader or overlander.
Bumpers are pieces of armor that we think we don’t need until we actually need them. They help protect us in situations where body damage can occur and are also an important tool for recovery scenarios. Rear bumpers specifically, are also excellent load carriers too. You can pretty much throw as much equipment as your imagination can think of on a solid rear bumper; water, gas, recovery gear, spare tire, cooking supplies, you name it.
A rear bumper is a necessity for those that want to take their build to the next level and want to expand their options for protection, gear, and storage.
I decided to go with Backwoods Adventure Mods because of how lightweight their rear bumper was. I was also a fan of their design and just how good it looks. This bumper offers all of the benefits mentioned above and it has exceeded all of my expectations. Let’s get into the details of this awesome piece of armor.
Find It Online:
- Backwoods Adventure Mods Rear Bumper: Check Price
Table Of Contents
Product Overview
The design of the Hi-Lite rear bumper is fire. Let’s call it the Tomahawk of bumpers. It has clean lines that follow the 4Runner’s body perfectly.
The swing-out doors get super close to the rear hatch when closed as if this was a factory option. Backwoods Adventure Mods thought about every single detail. The bumper also has a 2″ hitch receiver that’s perfect for a bike rack or to attach a recovery hitch receiver. There are additional welded recovery points on either side in addition to two cutouts for auxiliary lighting. This bumper also comes powder-coated, a definite plus!
Things You Should Know:
- The bumper does not work with the rear sensors
- You will need to cut your OEM bumper to install the Hi-Lite
- Accessories are sold separately
Construction
The Hi-Lite has a hybrid construction. Yes, hybrid. It brings the best of both aluminum and steel into one bumper. The bumper and the mounting brackets are made out of steel for strength while the dual swingouts are made from aluminum to keep the weight low.
Backwoods Adventure Mods states:
“This hybrid combination of steel and aluminum keeps the weight down, minimizes the risk of rust and corrosion, and offers all the strength and protection you’re looking for.”
As a customer, this is exactly what I was looking for in a rear bumper.
It also attaches very securely; there is absolutely no wobble at all!
Backwoods Adventure Mods’ products are made in the USA, and it feels great to support our people and our country. It’s easy to see that they’re bringing you the best in the market, made with passion and dedication.
Weight
I do a little bit of both camping and off-roading throughout the year. As many of us know, weight is our first enemy/concern when adding new parts to our rigs. That’s especially true for a large piece of armor like a bumper.
The Hi-Lite is a very lightweight bumper compared to other brands. At 225 lbs., it’s about 10-20+ lbs. lighter than its competition. That’s not bad at all and as you know, every pound counts.
High-Clearance
One of the issues that I had with my previous tire carrier was that the departure angle wasn’t great. The clearance was terrible.
The Hi-Lite is a high-clearance bumper and because of that, the departure angle is much better. It gives you more than enough clearance for off-roading.
Accessories
When the time to accessorize your bumper comes, the list can go on and on. There are endless options depending on your needs or wants.
The dual swingouts come with pre-drilled holes for you to attach almost any accessory you can think of. It’s all about getting creative.
Personally, I decided to go with their tire carrier that fits up to a 35″ tire, and their new universal Jerry Can Holder (which is compatible with my propane mount).
Why Did I Pick Backwoods Adventure Mods?
I started this build out of nowhere, thinking that this going to be a casual hobby. Oh, Lord! How wrong I was. Doing a rear bumper was just in my imagination and the last item on my list. I tried convincing myself that I didn’t need it while also knowing that it would be a good idea.
I was afraid of getting a full bumper because of how it would look and the immense weight. Daily driving this truck and even more fuel consumption were definitely a concern. So, I ended up getting a swing-out tire carrier from a well-known brand. While it did the job for a while, I was always hitting the hitch on the ground while off-roading due to decreased departure angle.
I also always had a ratchet on hand for when it got loose as it wobbled a lot. To be honest, I wasn’t in love with the product and realized that I made a mistake.
After all of that, I decided to take the plunge on a rear bumper. Aesthetics and function are equally important in any modification that I look for. I looked everywhere until I found Backwoods Adventure Mods and the best-looking rear bumper I’ve ever seen.
On The Trails
Before I jump into a day of off-roading with my friends, I make sure that I have everything I need. Having access to my spare tire is by far the best peace of mind that I can have. It mounts on the right side of the dual swing. I’m running a 34″ tire, which weighs close to 68 lbs.
I mentioned the weight so you have an idea of how much one of the swingouts can support. On the left swingout, I’m carrying a Backwoods Adventure Mods jerry can holder, with two cans for water and a propane gas tank attached to it.
Once I hit the trails, there’s no rattling or noises coming from the bumper or the swingouts. This thing doesn’t move at all and doesn’t even wobble a tiny bit. The peace of mind of having a very good clearance also gives me more confidence.
I don’t really worry anymore about hitting rocks or trees, I know this bumper will take any hit like a champ. Depending on the size of the tire you have, you might need to trim the inside body of the rear fender to match the high clearance that the Hi-lite gives you at full flex.
Overall, my experience off-road with the bumper is amazing and I couldn’t be happier. It gives me security and insurance that no other mod can give me.
Final Thoughts
I believe that adding the Backwoods Adventure Mods Hi-Lite rear bumper to my 4Runner was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
While the journey leading up to it was difficult, it was my most exciting mod to date. All of the benefits that a rear bumper provides you with as an overlander, off-roader, or just a weekend warrior are just mind-blowing. This bumper looks great and has a stellar design, the weight savings from its hybrid construction are the cherry on top!
Hey Gabriel, why did you opt to mount a GFC RTT on a roof rack vs using their proprietary mounting option? Do you have a post on how you attached the GFC to the roof rack?
Wish the entire bumper was aluminum. The amount of road salt we get up here would work it’s magic quick on anything steel.
It’s rad, but you should point out that only the swings are aluminum. The rest is still steel. I’m pumped to get one (eventually).
Hey Danny. We did mention this under the “Construction” section. Perhaps we could make it even more visible?
You’re right, I just skipped the initial portion and read the bottom part. I think it’s fine!