ARB Bull bar install on '04 Tacoma

[obscurotron]

Hi folks,

I just got my bumper from ARB and I want to install it this weekend. Most everything looks straightforward, but I had a couple of questions for those who have actually done an install.

First, can you snuggle the winch into the bumper AFTER mounting the bumper, or does it have to be done first? I have to undertake this task alone, so I'm trying to make it as one-man-friendly as possible. The winch already has a synth line, so I saved some weight there at least.

Also, the instructions mention something about drilling the replacement crush 'cans' that ARB supplies. Looking at where you would drill, it almost seems like you're whizzing into the wind by bolting the bumper brackets a 4th time (and to the crush cans, no less) instead of the frame. So in a word, "WTF?"

Anyone have any other installation tips? I'll take 'em!

-e

[66 North]

I just installed one on a 2003 a month ago by myself as well. I think that the winch has to go in first, but I could be wrong as I don't have one.

- One thing to note is to install the stamped cross member (sump guard support) with the flange facing towards the rear of the vehicle. (Page 6, middle picture...it is the first part to go on.) The splash guard won't fit if the flange is facing forward.

- Regarding the drilling...once the cross member and chassis extensions are on the truck, you can use the hole in the bottom of mounting brackets as a guide to drill.

Hope that this helps!

[4307]

The winch is mounted in the Bull Bar first.
Here are a couple links that are useful...

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamo...r/bullbar.html

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamo...mperupdate.htm

[obscurotron]

It does help, thank you!

For the drilling - the bottom of the bumper bracket has a hole (as you mentioned). What about the top? Does the additional bolt not pass through a hole on the upper part of the bracket?

Sort of perplexing anyway, as all this does is add another load point to the single bolt holding in the frame extension. And of course without a 2nd hole as a guide, I can't drill a perpendicular hole to save my life. Maybe I should send this junk back.

I just installed one on a 2003 a month ago by myself as well. I think that the winch has to go in first, but I could be wrong as I don't have one.

- One thing to note is to install the stamped cross member (sump guard support) with the flange facing towards the rear of the vehicle. (Page 6, middle picture...it is the first part to go on.) The splash guard won't fit if the flange is facing forward.

- Regarding the drilling...once the cross member and chassis extensions are on the truck, you can use the hole in the bottom of mounting brackets as a guide to drill.

Hope that this helps!

[cruiseroutfit]

...Maybe I should send this junk back.

Have you asked folks you bought it from, I'd assume if they are selling them they should be familiar with the install too?

Do you do the frame cap mod? I not only highly recommend it, I demand it for any installs we do here. I just re-did the install on my 96' ExCab, the bumper has been installed for ~5 years and at the time the end-cap mod wasn't something we were doing. Well, this one not only needed it, it had to have it, it had completely torn the end cap out of the frame on one side and the other side was a few winch pulls away from the same fate.

End cap mod:

[soonenough]

I'm not sure if this helps with the questions you're asking, but there's a good writeup on an ARB install on an '04 Tacoma on the Expeditions West website here

[obscurotron]

Have neither the skills nor the tools to do the endcap mod. And no shops around here that would touch something like that anyway. If the bumper bracket indirectly pulls on the frame horn *and* attaches to the tow hook/tie down holes, how can it pull out the endcap? For that to happen wouldn't the bumper bracket have to bend/twist first and/or the lower holes on the frame let go?

Have you asked folks you bought it from, I'd assume if they are selling them they should be familiar with the install too?

Do you do the frame cap mod? I not only highly recommend it, I demand it for any installs we do here. I just re-did the install on my 96' ExCab, the bumper has been installed for ~5 years and at the time the end-cap mod wasn't something we were doing. Well, this one not only needed it, it had to have it, it had completely torn the end cap out of the frame on one side and the other side was a few winch pulls away from the same fate.

End cap mod:

[cruiseroutfit]

... For that to happen wouldn't the bumper bracket have to bend/twist first and/or the lower holes on the frame let go?

And that my friend is exactly what will happen

We ended up having to straighten the bumper brackets as they were each bent ~15*. Obviously this is only likely an issue on winch equipped rigs, but I have seen it on non-winch equipped after a hard hit to the bottom of the bumper, such as tagging a rock or tree.

Beyond reducing/removing the risk of tear out or tweak, it also solidifies the mounting, where a normal install might leave a bit of "shake" or "shimmy" in the bumper as its flexing that 1/16" steel cap and welded nut. Add a 3/16" or 1/4" plate fully welded around the perimeter and you now have a secure mount.

I'm not saying it absolutely has to be done, in fact I know there are hundreds of instances where it is NOT done. Worst case is you pull the bumper back off and have the caps welded at a later day if an issue arises. Be forewarned the issue can cause damage to your fenders though as the bumper is able to "tip" forward causing the wings to nail the bottoms of the fender.

[obscurotron]

Criminy. Well, thank you for the enlightenment. I'll be interested to see if anything is tweaked when I pull the WARN Trans4mer w/ M8000 off to install this ARB unit. I haven't seen anything tweaked, but who knows what I may find now.

And that my friend is exactly what will happen

We ended up having to straighten the bumper brackets as they were each bent ~15*. Obviously this is only likely an issue on winch equipped rigs, but I have seen it on non-winch equipped after a hard hit to the bottom of the bumper, such as tagging a rock or tree.

Beyond reducing/removing the risk of tear out or tweak, it also solidifies the mounting, where a normal install might leave a bit of "shake" or "shimmy" in the bumper as its flexing that 1/16" steel cap and welded nut. Add a 3/16" or 1/4" plate fully welded around the perimeter and you now have a secure mount.

I'm not saying it absolutely has to be done, in fact I know there are hundreds of instances where it is NOT done. Worst case is you pull the bumper back off and have the caps welded at a later day if an issue arises. Be forewarned the issue can cause damage to your fenders though as the bumper is able to "tip" forward causing the wings to nail the bottoms of the fender.

[obscurotron]

Thanks for the links.

Anyone else notice he didn't drill the frame extensions? Oops?

The winch is mounted in the Bull Bar first.
Here are a couple links that are useful...

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamo...r/bullbar.html

http://www.parksoffroad.com/tacomamo...mperupdate.htm