ARB bull bar install

[Skrimz]

ok, I know there are several write ups about doing the ARB bull bar install, everything started off well until we got to attaching the brackets, they looked different then what everyone else had been showing in their write ups.

I just got off the phone with ARB and in the past 3 months they have changed the brackets. Has anyone done a ARB install in the past few months.

it looks like you have to cut the frame down, and I am just trying to see if everything will still fit and work properly.

 

[brian2sun]

A YT member had this problem a few weeks ago. And yes, ARB did change the mounts for the Taco bumper recently (after several years of production with the old mounts). I have no idea why. Here's the YT thread..
ARB bumper help (not your typical what do I cut off thread) - YotaTech Forums

 

[Skrimz]

thanks man, I must have missed this one, I tried searching all around. this helped out a lot. I will post how it went, we are going to take another shot at it Thursday evening.

I called ARB and they changed the mounts because of some differences in 199 and 2000 tacomas, not sure what they were but that is what caused it.

 

[CYi5]

Be sure to do the endcap mod after you figure out how much of your frame to alter. This is my result using the older brackets.

 

[Skrimz]

I can not find a decent write up on the end cap mod, have you seen one? I might skip it and go back and do it. any ideas if it is actually necessary?

 

[CYi5]

I skipped it too for a few years, but finally got around to getting the winch. I noticed skipping it will cause a few fatigue fractures in the mounts; tiny but noticeable. This is the most common writeup, though I welded a nut on the inside versus a protruding bolt. You can also either do .25" angle iron if you wanted to sleeve it back some. I just used some scrap and made new plates for the front.

Where are you located?

 

[brian2sun]

It's necessary if you will be using the bumper as a tow point or for winching. Another option is to just weld the mounts to the frame once they're bolted on. I did that and they are holding up fine after years of pulling on it.

 

[Skrimz]

hmm I might just weld the mounts to the frame, sounds easier honestly, maby even a little better...
any reason not to do this?

the whole reason for the bumper was so I can add a winch and use it the next time I get stuck, hopefully doesn't happen again but doubtful knowing me.

I am in Colorado.

 

[brian2sun]

J-money$$$'s and my ARB mounts are both welded on and we beat the crap outta ours. He also has a winch which he's used dozens and dozens of times. IMO, just welding them on is way easier. And I can't see any reason to think it's not just as strong as the endcap mod. I've put mine through some s**t.

I'm not sure about how your mounts will look though since they've been changed. My mounts slip over ~3" of the frame. Then I bolted them on and welded 1" strips on the bottom and both sides of each mount where they meet the frame. I made sure to place my welds in spots where I could grind them if I ever needed to remove the mounts later.

 

[Skrimz]

cool, I weld it is, and good call on picking where the weld is.

I will take pictures but in a nut shell they changed the brackets so where yours used to slide 3" over the frame they made it so it will only slide on about 1 inch or so onto the frame, hence the need to cut the frame down. they but a "re-enforced area" on the bracket which took up 2 inches of the bracket that used to slide over.
I though about cutting the bracket but does not seem the best route to go.