How To Modify and Install a Steel Bumper on a RAV4 - w/ Draw-Tite Hitch and Body Armor Steel Bumper

This is both an overview of what I did to get this Body Armor bumper (originally for a Tacoma) to fit a RAV4, and a walkthrough of my process with some tips along the way. Also utilized a Draw-Tite hitch made for the RAV4 to add a front mounted hitch receiver (this step not required). This allows for hitch mounted accessories to be installed and adds a ton of utility to the bumper, other than straight up winching.
One Step I Didn't Film:
I reinstalled the Lower Grille Shutter to the top steel angle bracket after diagnosing that it will throw a Check Engine light constantly if left uninstalled. You can quickly diagnose issues with an OBD2 scan tool and delete warning lights and codes to further test and diagnose things while working on this project.
ANCEL AD310 Classic Enhanced Universal OBD II Scanner Car
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Shoutout to Draw-Tite for supporting this project with their RAV4 Hitch:
www.etrailer.com/trailer-hitc...
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Total Rough Cost: $675 - $900ish depending on what parts you need and approach you take.
Total Rough Cost if welding with new equipment purchases: ~$1400+
If you're going the welding route and need new tools for welding, I'd add about another $600 to get you setup with a decent small machine, tools, and welding protection.
TOOLIOM 195A Stick Welder 110/220V Dual Voltage MMA Welder
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Forney 31305 E6011 Welding Rod, 5/32-Inch, 5-Pound
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YESWELDER 40ft 250 Volt Welder Extension Cord 10 AWG Power Extension
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TOOLIOM Flip Up Welding Helmet
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Welding Jacket Navy Cotton/Nylon XL
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BEETRO Welding Gloves
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Tools Needed:
Angle Grinder
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Face Mask
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Eye Protection
Hearing Protection
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Dremel Tool (or a fine saw)
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Parts Needed:
Body Armor HiLine Bumper - $380
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2 Steel Angles - $45
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5/8 Bolt Hardware - $20ish
www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...
Snag a couple 2" and 3" 5/8" bolts for the steel bumper. (about $10)
RnoFit Lower Steel Brackets - $90
Email or message him and he'll hook you up. Also check out his other products while you're on his site. He's a cool dude.
rnofitfabrication.com/contact
16 Gauge Sheet Metal (66" by 9") for skid plate - $40
www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/c...
M5 Bolts for Skid Plate
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Bed Liner Spray
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Step Bit
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Pro Cutting/Drilling Fluid
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Other Items to Consider while the bumper is off:
YITAMOTOR 22 Inch Light Bar
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HELLA 012010901 Black 12V BX Trumpet Horn Kit (Toyota)
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Kemimoto Universal Car Windshield Washer Pump
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Fog Light Covers with Arrow Lights - $90
cartrimhome.com/DRL-Toyota-RA...
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Creative Commons Attribution license
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/di-young-pixel-pig
Music promoted by Audio Library • Pixel Pig - Di Young (...
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🎵 Track Info:
Title: Pixel Pig by Di Young
Genre and Mood: Dance & Electronic + Happy
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[@Fc3s808]

Glad somebody is showing this SUV some respect. The new rav4 is sick. I want to do something like this for the Hybrid.

[@synque7296]

I just want to see him actually offroad it

[@davidm9001]

Can we see all your lights turned on at night ? Your an inspiration to all RAV4 drivers.

[@shaq7839]

Great job, looks really good

[@nycLin]

really good this is what i been looking for

[@WxChasing]

I need this so bad just not sure who to take it to around me to have it done. Very nice job.

[@chopperskier]

Good work; do you have any problems with the radar cruise control sensor as a result of that bar? I know it was working for you after you changed out the grill..

[@antoniovilla7260]

good job need one of this ...

[@andrejwalilko634]

Sick!

[@miggs.countrymusic]

Man, great build! Have you done a walk around video yet?

[@ullispiess6436]

Nice ...

[@MasteringHow-To]

Is that a wrap? Love the color

[@diegolinares2225]

Hey I’m doing my research right now on what RAV4 to get Hybrid or plug-in. What do you have and what’s your MPG after all the mods?? And what color is yours??? Looks sick!!

[@Jclicky]

Same here: I am considering these types of facelift/bumper swaps + 2” lift on a prime. With the prime’s torque, in all-electric mode, should be an excellent crawler for basic stuff, while retaining it’s daily-driver characteristics. But I’m curious if the steel front bumper here has impacted handling, MPGs, etc.

[@jaimereyes6336]

Can you make a video for change the front lights for the 2022 rav4?

[@peterserrano2119]

Could you link where you got the grill and bumper from?

[@baldving86]

will this install affect the airbag system in the car ?

[@metachron3758]

Which Hybrid did you get @Spaseyota ? Other than it looking mean AF is it worth doing it to the hybrid rav 4? I have a 2024 woodland edition. I just want the front end with a little more protection and aggressiveness. I saw one from Iron man but I wasn't sure I was satisfied. It was small.

This is a really nice video. Does anyone know if this bumper would fit a 2018 RAV4?

[@withskim]

Good job! I have one random question.. are those Oakley Coyote Boots? @2:55

[@amirf2070]

what's your mpg after all these mods? I want to start modding my 3rd off road but would like to know how much of a hit the gas would be taking lol

[@hykerwilson]

Did you contact RNO for the brackets, or did you have to buy their whole kit? anyone else fabricate those or similar ones?

[@spaseyota]

I contacted RNO directly on IG and just paid thru PayPal 🙌

[@chansen7287]

Beatiful did you tint you headlight? Where did you get the tint?

[@spaseyota]

Tinted with hex smoke tint I believe from Vvivid Vinyl on Amazon

[@chan1226]

@@spaseyota ty did it mess up your vision for lightinh?

[@grayyLIVE]

Did you wrap yourself?

[@spaseyota]

Yes

[@grayyLIVE]

@@spaseyota Love it. You should do a video breaking down the process.

[@jacobdilg2366]

how did you go about ordering those lower brackets from rynotech? I Dont see them as an individual item for sale.

[@spaseyota]

I contacted them directly on Instagram. Ended up paying thru PayPal. Not sure if he still sells them by themselves anymore but worth a shot.

[@truthhurts228]

Not to be picky, but at 5:07 into your video, "walk through" is spelled incorrectly. Cool video and I really dig on that front bumper!

[@yetirider4346]

Terrible welding take it to a shop

[@spaseyota]

Never claimed to have perfect welds. It’s to show I’m learning and to get others interested in the craft. Tell me specifically what makes it terrible? Help us all learn bud.

[@alltestalltest3490]

@@spaseyota Excellent job I would pay you to outfit my RAV if you would do the job.