I was cleaning my TRD CA and noticed that my body was ripping. I have a Warn Bumper and the OME heavy lift. The vehicle is mainly used as a trail rig and has never been jumped.
I know this has happend to others on this forum and would like to know what Toyota has done or said. It appears to me that this is a weak spot or there is to much flex alowed. Please any info would be helpful before I take it in to Toyota.
That looks like fatigue failure (ocurring over many repetitive cycles ). Even if you had jumped it and it failed it would not look like that. Do you know how long it took to develop that crack? It doesn't look it failed at a weld but there does seem a bend that was stamped in the sheet metal right next to that point. This is where fatigue would occur.
Is it by any chance directly above the front suspension mounts? I can't tell from the picture, but I will look at mine and try to reference the location from the photos. If this is the case, the stiffer springs could have contributed. The bumper is attached to the frame, and theoretically it could cause the frame to flex. However, the overhang of the bumper from the front wheels is short so leverage is minimal.
Either way make sure you get as much info as possible and have a solid argument before you see the dealer. You will only get one chance to provide a convincing argument to the adjuster.
Also the obvious, do not go off-road until you get it settled because you may end up paying the repair bill.
There are several cases out there which describe the exact same phenomenon.
I'm dealing with it too! So far, Toyota ignores it. The fact is that the tire runs into the body on full upward travel. This means that the bump stop is insufficient. YOU DO NOT NEED TO JUMP THE CAR TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN! Inspecting several vehicles, it shows that the tire clearances against the body are all over the place on this vehicle. This means, some vehicles have an issue, some not. Just inspect your front body mounts and check on the height of the rubber piece between left and right. This gives you an idea of how much variation there is...
People who have encountered this problem: please contact me with your email address. The more people we get together the more pressure we can put on Toyota to fix this issue - Thanks!
There are several cases out there which describe the exact same phenomenon.
I'm dealing with it too! So far, Toyota ignores it. The fact is that the tire runs into the body on full upward travel. This means that the bump stop is insufficient.
This is true if you're running oversize tires.
__________________
Grok FJ
NON supporting member
Take what man makes and use it,
But do not worship it,
For it shall pass.
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do,
Chapels had been churches, and poor mans cottages, princes’ palaces.
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken
There are several cases out there which describe the exact same phenomenon.
I'm dealing with it too! So far, Toyota ignores it. The fact is that the tire runs into the body on full upward travel. This means that the bump stop is insufficient. YOU DO NOT NEED TO JUMP THE CAR TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN! Inspecting several vehicles, it shows that the tire clearances against the body are all over the place on this vehicle. This means, some vehicles have an issue, some not. Just inspect your front body mounts and check on the height of the rubber piece between left and right. This gives you an idea of how much variation there is...
People who have encountered this problem: please contact me with your email address. The more people we get together the more pressure we can put on Toyota to fix this issue - Thanks!
So the theory is that the tire is being jammed into the actual body? Is there a relation to tire type and size? Man this is awful for you guys.
True, oversize tire doesn't help it. But the Toyota dealerships offer this vehicle new with 33in tires, which I run as well. I think it can also happen with the original 32 in tires. I will try to prove this...
I stuck with stock size BFGs even with a Donahoe front and rear lift because I feared the repercussions of the small wheel well and body mount chop. Man did I get flamed for posting that opinion way back when, but better safe than sorry. I think that gives me a bit more leeway than even stock FJs as far as the stops go.
OK, I have a question about your lifts. I've never put a lift in a vehicle and don't know much about them, so bear with me. When you install your body/suspension lifts, do you have bigger spacers for the most forward set of body mounts (right behind fromt bumper attach points)? If this is not adequately spaced, I can see where there would be lots of stress in the area where the failure occurred.
__________________
Grok FJ
NON supporting member
Take what man makes and use it,
But do not worship it,
For it shall pass.
If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do,
Chapels had been churches, and poor mans cottages, princes’ palaces.
Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken
Re: Engine Bay Body Rips
Linear Mode
