ARB BULL BAR install

                                                                                                   

By Johnny Lange- Wild Yoats

September 2002-

 

This is probably one of the easiest installs I have done in a long time and the end result is great. Simple hand tools is all you need and no drilling was even required (yours may be different).

I chose the ARB BULL BAR over many other bumper for many reasons. First off, I wanted the off road look and not the Pre-Runner look that many other winch bumpers have. (Just a personal preference). The price was decent and the quality of any ARB product is choice. Despite the stout looks of this bumper, it is still not really that heavy is you eat your Wheatie's in the morning.

I ordered the ARB BULL BAR from Jason Jester at 4Wheel Parts Wholesalers on Redwood Road. As promised, he had the bumper to me within a couple of days. I took it home and dove into the install.

All the needed hardware was supplied by ARB including the front signal lights. The hardest thing about this install is reading the Australian verbige in the directions....Took me a minute but I eventually understood it all, Mate.

TOOLS NEEDED:

-Hammer

-Standard Toyota Fix-It Tool kit (10, 12, 14, 17mm wrench's/socket's)

-Two taller Jack Stand’s (or let out the air in your tall tires and use shorter stands)

-Electrical connectors/tape for the signal splice

STEP ONE:

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Disconnect the turn signals and take off your old bumper and lower valance.

STEP TWO:

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Undo the 4 10mm bolts that hold in place your front spring hanger pins and undo the main bolt for the pin but do not remove the bolt. Pound the bolt so that the pin is flush with the spring hanger side. Now undo the bolt.

STEP THREE:

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Install the new turn signals into the new bull bar. I cut off the stock connectors off the truck and fitted them to these lights.

STEP FOUR:

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Get a couple of taller jack stands and slide in the BULL BAR. Play with it a little to get it positioned just right. Once you’ve got in place, start bolting it in with the supplied metric hardware from ARB.

STEP FIVE:

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Pending upon your local laws, mount your front license plate if needed. I added a cheap set of Wal-Fart driving lights until I get some nicer ones. I also installed a couple brackets for my tow bar for flat towing. Clean your grubby finger prints from the bumper and enjoy!.

INSTALL TIME:

I installed the bumper in about three hours by myself. I would rate the install as easy to moderate with a tinge on the easier side.

My over opinion of this product is great. Simple install, quality product, quality name, and a decent price. My only gripe would be the lack fit for vehicle’s with a body lift such as mine. But I can live with it.

MOAB TEST:

Being that I had the chance to try this bumper out in Moab two days later after the install, I am totally satisfied with it. I thought I would lose approach angle and found it not to be the case at all! The bumper DID NOT hit the face of rock walls such DUMP BUMP or ROCK PILE.

SOURCES:

ARB USA - www.arbusa.com

4Wheel Parts - www.4wheelparts.com  or visit Jason Jester at the Redwood Road Utah store!

                            Johnny Lange - Founder, Wild Yoats Toyota 4X4 Association