ARB Install

[Elroy]

I recently purchased an ARB Bull Bar and was wondering if anyone had a write-up of the install. From what I've read the Installation of the Bull Bar itself isn't too difficult, unless you need to do some drilling to make new holes. I was wondering if anyone had a write-up of how to remove the stock bumper. Thanks.

~Elroy

[ChuckH]

Well, I did it by myself in the dark using a flashlight and with no instructions, so it can't be that bad.

Sorry, I don't remember the details, but basically there are 4 bolts to the frame that have to be removed and some bolts up inside the front of the bumper (hard to get to!) that have to be loosened so that the brackets will move sideways and clear the front frame crossmember. The only thing I really had problems with were some clips up inside the fender area that had rubber bushing type thingies in it and I never did really figure out the trick to those...they eventually just fell apart and let go on mine. You also need to remove the very front crossmember piece from the frmae before the ARB will fit on. You can put the crossmember back on for extra rigidity, but it will need to be cut on both ends. It will be obvious to you what needs to be done there.

Make sure you have two extra people when you put the ARB on unless you don't value your front fenders!

Sorry I'm not much help!

[Schludwiller]

When you install the ARB remember:

Middle bolts first (loose so you can shift the bar)
Front bolts second
Rear bolts last
Tighten it all down when it looks good.

[rhombus]

Also be careful not to over torque the upper bolts.
I stripped one and ended up having to drill thru and bolting it.
I could have re-tepped it but the bolt might be stronger in the long run and I don't intend on removig the ARB anytime soon

[rrdstarr]

Looks like I am going to have to elongate my front holes for my bumper? I have it installed per drawing but the front edge touches the plastice grill and I have alomost an 1" gap at fender lip?

[rrdstarr]

I put the foglights here. It seems like a good protected place.

[Synchro]

Originally posted by rrdstarr
I put the foglights here. It seems like a good protected place.

ask philosopher about putting foglights there.....they are not protected. they can get crunched.

[xoc]

Originally posted by Synchro
ask philosopher about putting foglights there.....they are not protected. they can get crunched.

Ask Philosopher about what he hit at that location, and how he thought he would manage to get over it.

They are fairly well protected down there when you look at the approach angles.

[rrdstarr]

I have to agree with you Ian...I'll have to add the beer opener mod tomorrow! I assume you just pick those up at any Kitchen supply type store?

Still also trying to decide on lights?

Has everyone else used the supplied licsense bracket to attach their plate? I think I would trash the plate on the first serious approach!!

[xoc]

I had to get my bottle opener at a restaurant supply store here in Denver.

Stay away from "spot" beam lights up front. A nice wide beam like the Hella driving series put out a nice spread.

The license plate bracket is designed for Australian plates, unless they changed it.

[rrdstarr]

I never really plan on doing offroading at night and would really need a true foglight! It gets pretty soupy out here in Tacoma, Today being a good example! Also on my drives to Montana I need to be able to see the deer and elk before I splatter them with the ARB! :flash:

[ChuckH]

They're kinda pricey at $300, but I'm probably going to get the IPF JO1's myself. I think they look like a good fog/driving combo and should be legal to use all the time.

IPF JO1 Lights

[rhombus]

XXXterra from SOXC has the J01 as loves them.
Have a look at his site for more info:
XXXterra Site

I also have the fogs mounted under the ARB and have not had a problem yet. The way I see it they are the cheap stock ones anyways so if I break them no big deal.

[rrdstarr]

If I do destroy the foglights I plan to use the exsisting harness and relocate some ne lights to the top of the ARB! ChuckH was over this afternoon wiring the turn signals in the ARB and hooking up power to the Cobra 75 WX ST and tuning the Firestick II antenna! Many thanks to him!

I am going to have to put additional holes in my frame to support the ARB in a level attitude. My front holes are half a whole off! ChuckH and I tried everything put no success!

[ChuckH]

Yep, the holes on Ricks bumper are definately not in the right place. By looking at my bumper and comparing, I would say that his front hole is about 1/4" too low and 1/4" too far back and the middle one is about 1/4" too far back. his bumper was sitting too far forward and way too angled. I can't even figure out how they got it on at all yesterday. There is no way I could see to get it even close to straight without drilling out the front hole completely so it connects with the Navara hole and even then it's going to be a little low and far forward. he will have to put in more bolts to secure it. So much for bolt on ease...maybe KMA is building the bumpers now! The good news in all this is that his bumper is far enough forward that he can put big tires on and maybe even squeeze a winch up behind there without removing the bumper!

Otherwise, he is all set up and his CB seems to work well.

Oh, and I say it again, the Bilstiens kick ass!