ARB owners, chime in here

[4RunnerKyle]

Reading up on all the reviews and installs of the Tacoma ARB bumper on the 3rd generations and noticed that a few years ago, ARB changed the mounts which meant that we had to cut off more of the frame to install it. Now my question is for those who have bought this bumper in the last two years... Did you guys have to cut off the excess length or is it still just grinding off the end plates and that's it? The posts make it seem as if some recent ones are still the old style while others make it seem like the new method...

This will factor in my decision if I pull the trigger very shortly on this bumper

 

[GhostRing]

May I ask what the factor is? You are going to lop off something (and hopefully weld up the face) so does it really matter how much? Just curious...

 

[DirtDawg]

I just bought and installed mine, same thing, just cut/grind off the endplates. Easy as that.

 

[4RunnerKyle]

May I ask what the factor is? You are going to lop off something (and hopefully weld up the face) so does it really matter how much? Just curious...

Doesn't really matter much, but if I could just grind off the welds versus lopping off three inches of the frame, it would help in case I ever decide to return to stock and need to remount the stock bumper

 

[DirtDawg]

Doesn't really matter much, but if I could just grind off the welds versus lopping off three inches of the frame, it would help in case I ever decide to return to stock and need to remount the stock bumper

Check my comment. No need to cut off 3 inches

 

[curtperry]

There is no practical way of returning to stock either way.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I cut off about 3" of the frame and end plates. I welded some 3/16" steel plates over the ends with a 7/16" nut in it. I kept the old frame pieces. If I install the factory bumper (which I likely will if I ever sell the truck) I'll weld the frame pieces I cut off back on to mount the rest of the bumper stuff.

 

[tyr0981]

i just installed the ARB this last spring, i cut off the mounting plate (as close as i could, ~1/2 inch) welded the plate on the end of the frame and the bottom holes lined up with no problem! i recommend you DO NOT trim off 3" inches, that would have placed the "accessory light" mounting holes under my grille, and stuck the front fenders of the bumper dangerously close to the front of the tire in my opinion....

 

[TCMach]

I cut off about 3" of the frame and end plates. I welded some 3/16" steel plates over the ends with a 7/16" nut in it. I kept the old frame pieces. If I install the factory bumper (which I likely will if I ever sell the truck) I'll weld the frame pieces I cut off back on to mount the rest of the bumper stuff.

How on earth did you manage to pull this off? If I cut three inches off the supports for the tubing would be 2 inches into my grill. My hood probably wouldn't open either.

I cut off my frame plates and about a half inch when I did mine. Looks great and lines up with my limited flares pretty well

Edit: I also did the endcap mod by chopping up the frame extension pieces that come with. I cut an L out of it with the flat piece with the nut facing forward. Then I welded all that in and did a rosette weld through the hole in the side of the frame.

 

[hrt4me]

I just bought and installed mine, same thing, just cut/grind off the endplates. Easy as that.

where did you buy your ARB 34230-20 bumper for a decent price?

 

[the great him]

Look through my build thread, I did this in October of 2012, brand new bumper from ARB. I did a step by step how-to with pictures. dont know what anyone is talking about as far as cutting 3" off the frame, that would not work and cause serious structural issues. -my buld show Ypu exactly where and what to cut. Also the only thing that I know of that ARB has changed is the way the bolts that hold the bumper to its brackets are held. They improved that design, and made installation much easier and a one person job doable in about 90 min.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Here's what I cut off (my truck is an 02):

Here's how it lined up - holes in the bracket line up with the tie-down holes in the frame.

Here's a helpful video that shows how much has to come off (at least with his and my bumper/mounts, though his truck is a 98 Tacoma). I would weld a plate on the front instead of a flimsy washer. ARB Bull Bar Install 1998 Tacoma Part 1 - YouTube ARB Bull Bar Install 1998 Tacoma Part 2 - YouTube

I think the frame rails are longer on the 99-02 with the fat lip bumper. When I put this on my 98, I didn't cut as much off, but did have to cut some to get the ARB mounts back far enough to line up the holes. ARB supplies a new piece to go between the frame rails under the radiator, since they assume you have to cut back far enough to cut that off, though I cut close to it and saved it (and welded it up to the frame for support).

I'm assuming they change the mounts now and then - some of the pictures I saw were a little different. I bought my bumper in November 2011.

The bottom line is - you have to cut off enough to get the holes to line up with the holes for the tie-downs/tow hook bolts. I took measurements and took off just enough to line up the bolt holes. Then I welded a 3/16" plate on the end of the frame rails (with a hole and a 7/16" nut welded to the backside, and put a bolt through the mount as shown).

 

[the great him]

Here's what I cut off (my truck is an 02):

Here's how it lined up - holes in the bracket line up with the tie-down holes in the frame.

Here's a helpful video that shows how much has to come off (at least with his and my bumper/mounts, though his truck is a 98 Tacoma): ARB Bull Bar Install 1998 Tacoma Part 1 - YouTube ARB Bull Bar Install 1998 Tacoma Part 2 - YouTube

I think the frame rails are longer on the 99-02 with the fat lip bumper. When I put this on my 98, I didn't cut as much off, but did have to cut some to get the ARB mounts back far enough to line up the holes. ARB supplies a new piece to go between the frame rails under the radiator, since they assume you have to cut back far enough to cut that off, though I cut close to it and saved it (and welded it up to the frame for support).

I'm assuming they change the mounts now and then - some of the pictures I saw were a little different. I bought my bumper in November 2011.

The bottom line is - you have to cut off enough to get the holes to line up with the holes for the tie-downs/tow hook bolts. I took measurements and took off just enough to line up the bolt holes. Then I welded a 3/16" plate on the end of the frame rails (with a hole and a 7/16" nut welded to the backside, and put a bolt through the mount as shown).

wow, thats crazy, i dont know why you had to cut that much off, i didnt have to cut half of that much, and your just a 98, not a 99... so weird i have done this on a 98 and it was the same as mine... so strange. oh well i guess some are just different

 

[98OzarksRunner]

wow, thats crazy, i dont know why you had to cut that much off, i didnt have to cut half of that much, and your just a 98, not a 99... so weird i have done this on a 98 and it was the same as mine... so strange. oh well i guess some are just different

This is on my 2002. The 98 I had it on didn't require that much cutting.

From the looks of your build page here (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/105400-rescue-runner-build-thread-6.html) it looks like your brackets are different from mine.

Your plate for the end cap is at the 'waffles' where mine is a couple of inches back. Looks like ARB changed the brackets (and apparently has a few times). Have to cut for what you have and fits your truck.

 

[4RunnerKyle]

Wow, the fact that there are at least two different brackets has me somewhat nervous... Due to my limited skills and lack of access to a welder or knowledge of someone in the area as I'm in Minnesota for grad school, I had hoped it would be the earlier version to reduce the cutting I would need to do to install it.. Will not be installing a winch at this point so the extra strength isn't needed at this point


Basically it's a gamble here to see which brackets come with it

 

[4RunnerKyle]

I just bought and installed mine, same thing, just cut/grind off the endplates. Easy as that.

Mine is a '99 Highlander as well

 

[the great him]

Wow, the fact that there are at least two different brackets has me somewhat nervous... Due to my limited skills and lack of access to a welder or knowledge of someone in the area as I'm in Minnesota for grad school, I had hoped it would be the earlier version to reduce the cutting I would need to do to install it.. Will not be installing a winch at this point so the extra strength isn't needed at this point


Basically it's a gamble here to see which brackets come with it

It will come with brackets like mine I will guaranty that 100%. The Tacomas and 4runners are almost identical in design, only differences are body panels, and trim, underneath they are all basically the same. The front core support has a slightly different design(to accommodate the different grille, headlights and fenders, but that can be swapped along with the entire front clip between the vehicles). While yes the design of the bumper has some slight changes, the trucks have not changed design... Buy the bumper and when you get it the decide what to cut, how much, and where to cut and install. ARBs instruction are a little confusing ill admit, but I'm sure you can call them and talk with tech support and they will help you with any questions. Or you can ask us. This instal is super easy, you are really over thinking it.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

It will come with brackets like mine I will guaranty that 100%. The Tacomas and 4runners are almost identical in design, only differences are body panels, and trim, underneath they are all basically the same. The front core support has a slightly different design(to accommodate the different grille, headlights and fenders, but that can be swapped along with the entire front clip between the vehicles). While yes the design of the bumper has some slight changes, the trucks have not changed design... Buy the bumper and when you get it the decide what to cut, how much, and where to cut and install. ARBs instruction are a little confusing ill admit, but I'm sure you can call them and talk with tech support and they will help you with any questions. Or you can ask us. This instal is super easy, you are really over thinking it.

Mine was the same part number (3423020) but your install was a year after mine so your brackets are probably what they're shipping now.

 

[TCMach]

That's definitely my truck in that pic haha. That's weird. It's like yours came with the tacoma frame extensions built into the frame mount. I bought mine in 2012 and that's how it came to my door. I actually cut up the frame extension to make my endcap
[MENTION=59733]98OzarksRunner[/MENTION] on yours where the bumper mounts to the bumper support is there welded nuts or the little square ones you have to clip into place? I know the older style bumpers came with the welded on nuts and maybe there's a different in the bumper mounts too

 

[98OzarksRunner]

[MENTION=59733]98OzarksRunner[/MENTION] on yours where the bumper mounts to the bumper support is there welded nuts or the little square ones you have to clip into place? I know the older style bumpers came with the welded on nuts and maybe there's a different in the bumper mounts too

Mine came with the clip in nuts.