SECRET SPY PHOTOS of Marlin's new REAR BUMPER!

[BigMike]

I happened to be walking down the sidewalk past MARLIN CRAWLER's shop when I spied this 4Runner with some new high-tech rear bumper!!

So I stopped and took some covert photos!! CHECK IT OUT!!!!

I happened to be carrying a dial caliper, and I discovered it's built from hefty inch & three quarter OD tubing!
Knowing the high quality reputation of Marlin, I am willing to bet it is high quality HREW steel made right here in Fresno, California!



I immediately noticed this INCREDIBLE FULL-LENGTH STEP PLATE!!!!



Complete with a SA-WEEEEET Raised MC Turtle and reverse flared holes for sure footing! I thought I had never seen anything so cool in my entire life!!!



Then, I looked around to make sure no one was watching, and I crawled under the rig.

I discovered these great features beneath the sexy full-length step plate:

1) Two support beams (circled) for maximum impact strength, and

2) A new trailer hitch rear brace that looks like they may have plans for additional frame support tubes for improved towing capabilities!!

I was also happy to see Marlin is still using this heavy duty D.O.T.-recommended SEAMLESS square receiver! I like this because another company I've heard of uses a pieced-together & partially-welded receiver hitch which I don't trust.



Check out this shot from the rear, DADDY LIKES IT!

I like how Marlin's new design has angled the tubes towards the side support, which I believe adds A LOT more rigidity and side-impact strength to the side protection section. It must be a lot stronger than their old design!



This was the last pic I could take before some people saw me taking pictures and became suspicious of my activity so I left.

Before I left, I noticed the side impact protection still has the same side-braces connecting to the frame. This is a standard feature that Marlin has used since day one.



While I was fleeing their property, someone yelled at me and I am not sure but I think I heard them say that these new bumpers will GO ON SALE WITHIN ONE-TO-TWO WEEKS!!! WOW I almost fell down

So, what do you guys think?



UPDATE 4/25

We are now spot-welding the Turtle logo from the bottom, and using a new Heavy Duty double support design with a cross tube for the D-Ring shackle. Below are updated images.

Please click here for the 4Runner Product Page: http://www.marlincrawler.com/armor/rear-bumper/rear-bumper-4runners

[Peterbuilt84]

Looks great! I think it would look better on something other than that dirty old 4runner though 

[4RunnerChevy]

Funny, dial indicator.   

[bdcplayer_83yota]

How much an any for first gens

[4LoRunner]

BEEFY! I want one for my 1st gen runner now....

[Dr.Maxwe001]

its   : snapshot : with out the spaces 

[BigMike]

dial indicator

: snapshot :

Sorry, too excited over here!

[4RunnerChevy]

Sorry, too excited over here!

Haha nice edit, i knew you meant Caliper

[jimbo74]

Will this be available for first generation for runners and second generation pickup trucks as well?

[sparkys83yota]

How bout first gen pickups

[BigMike]

Will this be available for first generation for runners and second generation pickup trucks as well?

Absolutely

How bout first gen pickups

We will use this same updated & stronger design for 1st gens, but I believe 1984-1995 & Tacoma applications will be released first. I'll have to double check on this.

[IMMUDDY]

Put me down for one of those sweet rear bumpers.
Now to try and sneak down there to see this newly spotted fabrication from the Wonderful World of Marlin.

[TacoRunner]

Very nice! 

[NorCalBorn]

  Looks nice Mikey! Now, who's poop brown pos is that and does that mean my O.G. Style gets a free upgrade top plate since the other top plate's now a "Collectible"?  

[dropzone]

Pretty cool...the only thing I could suggest for improvement and was a gripe I have on my MC rear bumper is that it would be nice if the D-Ring mounts would be 3/4" so that a Standard Recovery shackle fits true to the mount.

[REG535]

any updates on front ones?

[BigMike]

any updates on front ones?

Not yet but they are next in line and shouldn't be too far out (just need to get production rolling on the rears and then release some spy photos of our new front bumpers )

[spc mike]

Why don't you guys use a couple plug welds to hold the "turtle cutout" on? It would look alot cleaner!

[junya92toy]

or have the plate welded from the under side, if not done too, and id but gussets on it, the tube to the mounting plates

[IronClad]

or have the plate welded from the under side

THIS! it looks TERRIBLE! with the half ground down welds on the top

[strykersd]

Will Marlin still be selling the old style bumpers?  As much as I like the look of the side tubes, they'll make it much harder to build a tire carrier onto. 

[spc mike]

.....and slant the side hoop gusset more (like previous models) to fill in the larger void.

[Bobby Hunter]

take the whole section that is right behind the wheel well and flip it

[dropzone]

Old pic I just found, I had to ream out the hole at the recovery point to get a standard shsckle to work.

Are the new ones gonna be drilled out to the correct size?

[junya92toy]

There is no correct size, the make shackles of many sizes

[sparkys83yota]

Man!!!! Just called marlin's shop to inquire about when the bumpers for first gen pickups will be out. I was told " If" they make them for the first gem pickup that its gonna be months...... man that sucks!

[Tyler82toy]

well thats a bummer ive been waiting for a rear bumper for four months if they aren't going to make them i guess ill have to find some where else to get one

[junya92toy]

Buy a bumper and have it narrowed by a welder.

[CruzrDave]

We are doing a first gen rear bumper now. The front bumper for a first gen is a few months out.

We are building bumpers based on previous sales numbers and online shopping cart notification demand. 4Runner rear is the first up on the list then Pickup rears. Once all the rears are released 3rd gen front will be next and then...........

The bumper is just a sample. The step plate will not have so many welds and will be recessed about a 1/4" below the main tubes.

Plug welding the turtle is not a bad idea. If we don't have to many done we can change that now otherwise we can put the weld inside the shell so the profile is not effected.

[dropzone]

There is no correct size, the make shackles of many sizes

Always thought the standard was a 3/4" shackle, it seems to be what most places sell. Just offering input.