Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

trs888 · #21 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 07:39 PM

If you can change oil, you can do this. It was actually kind of fun.

The Manual is very helpful – To replace the bumper pad you really only need the pages ET-12, ET-17, ET-18, ET-21, ET-25 and ET-26.

The part number for the bumper pad on my FJ for the left (drivers) side rear is 52463-35010 . Make sure you get the right one for your VIN number. I bought it at a dealer and paid full price of $125.26… but I got it in one day. The part number for the clips is 75392-35220 They were a buck fifty each.

The bumper pad part is available on line for less money. I RECOMMEND CALLING THE ON-LINE SELLER, PROVIDE THEM WITH YOUR VIN NUMBER AND MAKE SURE YOU GET THE CORRECT PART. My dealer advised me that there are two different versions. I suspect (but don’t know for fact) that it has to do with whether your FJ has sonar or not. On models with sonar, the bumper pad has a tab that supports the wire harness for the sonar. (If you buy on-line, do yourself a favor and call the place from which you are buying. If they say they are all the same, call the next place.) THE BUMPER PAD PART COMES ALREADY PAINTEDSILVER.

For my situation, I ended up not needing new clips. They come off easily and can be re-used, but
I RECOMMEND HAVING THEM IN CASE ONE BREAKS OR IS LOST. For me it was worth 7 bucks not to have to run out to the dealer in the middle of the project and then find I had to wait a day.

On some posts I read that this can be done without removing the bumper cover. Technically that is true – but I cannot see how anyone could do this without removing the bolts and screws that hold on the bumper cover. DON’T MAKE THE MISTAKE I MADE… I spent 15 minutes looking around for how I would do this without following the steps to remove the screws, bolts and sonar wire plugs. Thatwas a total waste of time. Take my advice… save your time and get to work removing the bolts, screws and sonar plugs. That took less time than it took looking around trying to figure out how to do it another way.

You actually don’t need to remove the bumper cover – by removing the bolts, it is loosened. You pull it away from the body on the side on which you are working which gives easy access to the clips, but you don’t take the cover off per se. You leave it secure on the opposite side.

I RECOMMEND REMOVING ALL THE BOLTS, SCREWS AND SONAR PLUGS THOUGH… as you work on the impacted side (pardon the pun) leaving the bolts and screws in place could damage the bumper cover. Its better to have it loose. If it pops off on the opposite side, its easy to pop it back on.

MY MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY… on the model with sonar: There is a tab from the bumper cover that holds the sonar wire harness. It is very difficult to get the wire harness clip loosened. AND, there is no need to loosen it. Simply cut the tab on the old bumper pad. Then carefully cut the remainder of the tab from around the clip being careful not to cut the clip itself.. I tried for a bit to snap off the clip and quickly determined that just cutting it was the way to go. IT SAVED A TON OF FRUSTRATION and left the clip like new for re-use.

The pictures tell the whole story.

Good luck and have a nice dinner with the money you saved!

Squid · #22 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 10:01 PM

Great first post and thanks for sharing that PDF..........by the way you didn't say if the MRS ever repaid you for your trouble.

trs888 · #23 (**permalink**) 08-02-2008, 10:33 PM

She would say that I’m repaid by her continuing presence. J Being serious, I really appreciate your forum. Because of this thread, I embarked on doing this myself vs. paying a body shop over $600. As I did this today, I wanted to share the simple steps share the tips I learned. I hope a lot of people benefit from this information. Cheers!

cruzer · #24 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csfirsthonda

Ya it goes in pretty easy. it snaps in place by three snaps on the pad and then you use 5 clips to secure it. it can be tight to put in the top right clip.

Hi , I had the same mishap, I looked at the pictures and I'm glad all I have to replace is the pad, but I'm still not clear on how to take the damaged pad off.
Do I just pull on it or lift from bottom or.........
Can anyone elaborate a bit on the procedure for re. and re. ???
All help appreciated. Thanks.

Ooops should have read all the posts.
Got all the answers I needed . Thanks all

trs888 · #25 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 07:34 PM

Good luck on replacing the pad. Once you get the 5 clips removed, it will come right off. The tab that held the wire harness had to be wiggled around a bit to allow the pad to pull free - but other than that, once the clips are out, the pad should pull right out.

cruzer · #26 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trs888

Good luck on replacing the pad. Once you get the 5 clips removed, it will come right off. The tab that held the wire harness had to be wiggled around a bit to allow the pad to pull free - but other than that, once the clips are out, the pad should pull right out.

Well thanks all. The job is done and wasn't all that bad at all. Took me a little longer cause the top bumper pad, the part that is actually the step on the bumper, the black cover with the indent for the spare, had slight damage also.
Wasnt broken just a little out of shape.
After trying to beat on it with a hammer for few minutes without success, I got frustrated and was ready to go spend the big bucks and buy a new one,
but then Mrs. Cruiser came along and said " Why dont you try heating it up".
( Damned she's smart sometimes )

So I got a small propane torch and applied a LITTLE gentle heat to it and just pushed it back in shape gradually with a piece of 1X2. worked just great!

But remember , WARM IT UP, DONT MELT IT!
Best to heat it from the opposite side from where you are "pushing" so as not to leave marks on the plastic.
And do it gradually , Heat, push, hold, let cool,
Heat, push, hold let cool.
Probably saved me a few hundred bucks.

Anyway want to thank everybody for this forum, wouldnt have been able to do it without all your help.

So Cheers from Beautiful British Columbia Canada and,
Now it's

Squid · #27 (**permalink**) 08-14-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzer

Mrs. Cruiser came along and said " Why dont you try heating it up".
( Damned she's smart sometimes )

So Cheers from Beautiful British Columbia Canada and,
Now it's

They do sometimes earn their keep, Just kidding. Glad it was a success because who can afford the price of labor anymore?

twsword1 · #28 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 06:17 AM

Hey dretheman, have you found the PDFs for the front bumper removal? I need to replace a dented front right bumper pad. Thanks for any help!

Squid · #29 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twsword1

Hey dretheman, have you found the PDFs for the front bumper removal? I need to replace a dented front right bumper pad. Thanks for any help!

Here ya go and I also have the moding removal I'll post too. FJ Cruiser Front Bumper Removal

twsword1 · #30 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008, 01:48 PM

Thanks Squid. That should help me out a lot - at least I have a fighting chance of doing this myself. You mentioned molding removal instructions - do I need to remove any molding to replace the bumper pad?

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