ARB Installation Help

[BrandonF]

I've run into some trouble installing my tacoma ARB bullbar.
I've already cut the plate off the end of the frame rail and filed it clean. However, when I slide the impact absorber onto the frame, it hits the corner of the body mount plate that is welded onto the frame.

If I were to cut the "notch" in the bottom right hand corner of the piece in the foreground in the picture back another 3/4" (towards the left in the picture), it appears that it would clear the body mount plate and the mounting holes would line up perfectly. Despite my search, I haven't heard of anyone else running into this same problem.

Can anyone help me out here? I have no problem cutting a little material off the impact absorber, but I just want to make sure I'm on the right track before I cut something off that didn't need to be cut off.

 

[TCMach]

Which side is it hitting? I can try to get a pic of how mine mounts when I get off work. I didn't have any problems with mine hitting that. I don't remember if it matters but try the other impact absorber.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

If I remember right mine was hitting a weld on top of the frame/plate. I ground down the weld a little to let the mount slide over it.

 

[BrandonF]

If I remember right mine was hitting a weld on top of the frame/plate. I ground down the weld a little to let the mount slide over it.

Yes this is exactly where mine hits. I feel like I should cut the impact absorber instead of the body mount plate on the frame. I hate the idea of cutting down the weld that attaches the body to the frame. Especially since I need to cut 3/4". I measured the impact absorber and I can easily get that 3/4" without touching any welds

 

[BrandonF]

Which side is it hitting? I can try to get a pic of how mine mounts when I get off work. I didn't have any problems with mine hitting that. I don't remember if it matters but try the other impact absorber.

It's hitting on the top of the frame where the body mounting plate is welded to the frame

 

[TCMach]

is this what we are talking about?


if so I just made an angle out of the bottom of the ARB bracket so it would slide on easier. That and a hammer and it went on really easily. The bracket pictured isn't modified and went on fine by the way, I had to modify the drivers side

 

[the great him]

the frame rails do not go all the way to the end(read front) of the brackets... make sure your bottom two bolts(the ones that hold your tow hooks in) are lined up, then find out what needs to me "modified or adjusted"... fwiw i never had to do any modifications to my frame or brackets to get them to fit perfectly, other than cutting the end cap off the frame.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/105400-rescue-runner-build-thread.html

read through my build, i pretty much did a step by step with pictures on the instal of the ARB

 

[BrandonF]

Thanks for the replies guys. I ended up cutting out the small 3/4"x3/4" squares out of the impact absorber where it rests on the top of the frame. This way it clears the body mount plate weld no problem and I didn't have to grind down any welds on the frame.

When I get a winch, I plan to weld the absorbers to the frame rather than doing the end cap mod.