Custom bumpers for our LC120

We’ve modified both bumpers on our Land Cruiser. The main reason was simply how the original ones performed off paved roads.

Steel bumper adds both real protection and a sharper look.

Front bumper The stock front bumper was often a problem when we tried to park the car in a good position for setting up camp. It sat too low, and we noticed this most often during our trip to Elba and Corsica.

Reinforced rear bumper managed Corsica’s load and terrain. The front followed later.

Our idea was to replace it with a bumper that didn’t hang down as far. But at the same time, we didn’t want a full-on off-road style bumper - those are widely available. Why not go that way? They just didn’t feel right for our car. They make it look like it’s only for rough terrain. That’s not what we’re after.

Significantly improved clearance and fewer breakable plastic parts compared to stock.

We also wanted to mount a front winch. You can do that with the stock bumper, but a modified one makes more sense.

So why the winch? We don’t do extreme off-roading. But we drive in snow, on meadows, forest tracks, sand. We don’t use front or rear diff locks (our LC120 has a stock center diff lock), and when you get stuck, which happens even to well-prepared vehicles, a winch is your best friend.

New bumper allowed for a winch mount plate; the proven skid plate stays.

Another reason was how easily small branches would catch under the bumper. The original bumper’s lower edge would always catch something, start to flex and bend - not a nice feeling. And one more detail, though a very practical one: the stock fog lights on the LC120 are useless. They don’t light the road, don’t help in the fog. For us, they were just there for aesthetics or as daytime running lights. So when changing the bumper, we knew that had to be fixed too.

Upgraded lighting: VW Mk7 fog lights provide far better road illumination than stock.

The idea for how to change the bumper came from the mechanic who’s been looking after our car for years. He suggested not replacing the whole bumper - just the lower part. This way, the car still looks mostly stock, but a bit more aggressive. Also, the original headlight washers stay in place and working, which is always useful.

Of course, while designing the bumper, we also added a winch plate and extended the existing skid plate. We didn’t want to touch the main underbody shield we’ve used for years - just added a new section in front of it.

The design came together so nicely that while the bumper was still being installed, other customers were already ordering the same design.

Hybrid design: OEM upper + steel lower bumper keeps the look light and integration subtle.

What had to be done? We cut off about two-thirds of the stock bumper. Added a winch plate and skid plate extension. Replaced the front springs with heavier-duty ones - the new bumper plus winch adds about 50 kg to the front end. Then, we adjusted the wheel alignment. And the fog lights - after some trial and error, and tips from other owners, we found the perfect upgrade: a set of fog lights from a Mk7 VW Golf. Compact, discreet, and very effective. For the first time, our Land Cruiser had real auxiliary lighting.

Both bumpers replaced, yet the LC120 remains city-friendly and far from overbuilt.

Rear bumper We replaced the rear bumper earlier. Some of it was similar to the front – uneven ground and tricky campsites. But the main reason was... bikes.

Bikes travel with us everywhere — secure and hassle-free transport is a must.

We take our bikes on nearly every trip. We use a Thule rack that mounts to the rear tow bar - very convenient. But the problem is that the LC120 has a side-hinged rear door (left to right), so when the bikes are mounted, it blocks access to the cargo area. And when it’s raining or we’re not using the bikes, it’s annoying to take them off one by one. So we got used to removing the whole rack with both bikes still attached. It worked, but it wasn’t exactly comfortable - especially when your fridge and kitchen gear are back there.

Safe and elevated — bikes stay clear of the ground, even off-road.

So we started thinking: how can we open the rear door without removing the bikes?

We looked at how serious overlanders carry full-size spare tires - swing-out arms. Exactly what we needed. Something that swings the bikes to the right and lets us open the door freely. And it had to be practical enough that the bikes could stay there for hours during longer stops.

Custom swing arm allows full access to the rear, even with bikes mounted.

Swing arm fully extended — no need to unload bikes to access the rear door.

Easy cargo access with everything in place — no compromises on space or usability.

At one point we considered modifying existing bike racks. Higher bike position would also help with clearance - the tow bar rack was the lowest and most rearward part of the vehicle. But then we realised: what if we simply mount a second tow hook on the swing arm and attach our current rack to it? No need to modify anything.

To make it even easier, we added a second electrical socket on the swing arm, so we no longer have to plug the lights into the original one next to the tow bar. The whole system works with no need to unplug anything.

High-mounted and clear of the rear window — hitch arm fixed to standard tow point below.

The rear bumper structure is relatively light - just like in the front, we replaced only the lower section of the stock bumper. We often stand on the rear bumper when using the rooftop tent. The original one was okay, but the new steel version feels a lot more solid.

While we were at it, we also added two strong reversing lights. We’ve learned that in heavy rain at night, they’re much more helpful than a rear-view camera.

Separate hitch and socket let the bike rack swing freely — no unplugging, no hassle.

In summary: Both bumpers are bolted directly to the frame. Along with the steel rock sliders (with built-in lights), they now form a protective ring around the vehicle. When we fold or unfold the rooftop tent, we often step on the sliders or the rear bumper - no problem there.

The Land Cruiser now looks a bit more off-road oriented, but still balanced. Especially in the front - it’s more aggressive, but not overdone.

Additional lighting and flat bumper top make night access safer and more practical.

Is that the end of the mods? Not quite. And here’s why: because once we installed parking sensors in the steel bumpers, they stopped working properly. We already have a solution in mind. But that’s a story for another time.

Bumper swap complete — subtle, functional, and ready for anything we throw at it.

Got questions? Feel free to ask - we’ll definitely reply.

Discreet but ready — this is what practical modifications look like.