Westin Bull Bar Installation Problems

[jonz]

Anybody out there add a Westin Ultimate Bull Bar recently? Received mine today and the 6 flange nuts that hold the brackets on the bumper bolts (6 of them) don't seem to be the same thread. I have a 04 SR5 and 08 SE and the flange nuts won't thread on either one of these. I have contacted Westin and they are researching. Westin Part number 33-1285 should work for 03 to 09.

Just wanted to see if anybody else has experienced this problem and if so, what was the remedy?

 

[Bossman]

When I installed my bull bar, I used the nuts already on my T4R bumper bolts.

I just would not expect an aftermarket supplier to be able to provide the correct oem nuts.

 

[jonz]

When I installed my bull bar, I used the nuts already on my T4R bumper bolts.

I just would not expect an aftermarket supplier to be able to provide the correct oem nuts.

Bossman, thanks for the input. I'm curious, did you even try to use the ones that came with the kit ? I thought about doing the same thing you did, but couldn't get enough leverage to break the bumber nuts free. Guess I need a longer ratchet or a breaker bar.

Westin did say they would send me fine threaded nuts since it appears the coarse thread may have been placed in the kit mistakenly.

 

[Bossman]

No worries, Jonz

I got my bull bar used from a fellow T4R.ORG member, so the bar and mounting brackets did not come with any nuts.

And yes, those nuts on those bumper bolts were really, really on there.

I ended up soaking the bolts/nuts with a penetrating fluid (like WD-40) for 20-30 minutes, then used a breaker bar to free the nuts.

Once the bar was on, I used some never-seize compund on the bolt threads before tightening the nuts.

If Westin will send you the nuts for free, may as well take them.

 

[jonz]

I actually found some nuts at Lowes and got it mounted tonight. Looks good!

Bosman, I do have one question about you install. Do you have much clearance between the bar and the bumper? Mounting in front of the factory nuts leaves about a 1/2 clearance on my rig. I'm wondering how much clearance you have on your set up. Does the bar come in contact with your bumper? Seems like your way would be a "sturdier" fit. I may try it your way myself to see the result, but can't say I'm real excited about taking the bumper apart not knowing what to expect.

 

[Bossman]

Hey Jonz,

Sweet!

Yes, there is definitely clearance between my bar and the bumper. There is 2.25 inches clearance between the bar and bumper (at the top of the bar), and as the bar slants inwards (on the sides) towards the bottom, I still have 1.5 inches clearance between bar and bumper. At no time does the bar touch the bumper.

With the nuts tourqued to spec it is a sturdy fit.

Those original bumper nuts will give you a good fight I suspect. Be sure to use a penetrating liquid before getting some tools on them.

 

[HB 4X4]

Zip ties and duct tape work well.

 

[jonz]

Zip ties and duct tape work well.

That was "Plan B":lmao: