'03+ ARB Combination Bar on a '98-'02 LX470

hoser · 02-05-07, 01:16 AM

I purchased a used '03+ ARB Combination bumper from fellow mudder, theMule, to install on my '98 LX. A bit of a risk but I thought I'd give it a try. Actually, it was easier than I thought it would be. I would estimate it takes just an additional 1 hour over the regular install time depending on how well you "finish" and paint the upper bull bar where the two light/antenna tabs are removed. The two tabs on the upper bull bar need to be removed in order for the LX hood to clear when raised. This is Phase 1 of my ARB bumper install. I plan to chop my bumper for less overhang as Snook has done here. I just wanted to get the bumper mounted for now before I proceed to Phase 2.

Pic#1, Locate the two frame horns. The lower portion will need to be trimmed carefully with a cut-off tool.

Pic#2, shows what exactly needs to be cut.

Pic#3, modified frame horn.

hoser · 02-05-07, 01:17 AM

Pic #4 shows the accordian brackets mounted.

Pic #5 shows the upper tab mounts grinded off. You'll have to grind it smooth, primer and then paint/powdercoat it. I'll probably be removing the top hoop so I left it a bit rough. If you need the tabs, you could also reweld them off to the side. It is the LX grill that interferes with the tabs when you open the hood. The LC grill is stationary and is not part of the hood.

Pic #6--The finished product.

matt 105 · 02-05-07, 02:05 AM

Thats gunna look nice!
Ive always liked that LX front
Its a shame there's just too many wildlifes around here.

Matt

theMule · 02-05-07, 07:45 AM

That is great to see the bumper already mounted, it looks great on there! I'm happy things worked out Les, I appreciate you buying it from me, thanks and take care!

CrusrDug · 02-05-07, 08:05 AM

Looks good Hoser. What kind of winch are you going with? Waiting for AHC report as well.

Greg B · 02-05-07, 09:59 AM

Looks great Hoser!

The Toyo's look like they are wearing pretty well too. How about a couple of pics of the whole 100 so we can see how the new bumper looks?

Val678 · 02-05-07, 10:54 AM

Looks Great!

Copy Cat!!!

LOL

hoser · 02-05-07, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrusrDug

Looks good Hoser. What kind of winch are you going with? Waiting for AHC report as well.

I'm not sure if I am even going to put a winch but I will size it for a smaller/lighter M8000 winch. This bumper is very stout but also very heavy... maybe 140+lbs? I can totally feel the extra weight and will be installing a set of LC T-bars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg B

Looks great Hoser!

The Toyo's look like they are wearing pretty well too. How about a couple of pics of the whole 100 so we can see how the new bumper looks?

I have only put about 10k miles on the Toyos but so far they are wearing well. I'll try and snap some more photos when I can but the end product isn't quite finished yet. I can't stand the amount of frontal overhang of the ARB. If it wasn't for Snook and his "slimming" mod, I probably wouldn't have bought this ARB bumper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Val678

Looks Great!

Copy Cat!!!

Yup, thanks Val!

ChuckB · 02-05-07, 12:08 PM

That looks awesome. I might have to go that route when the time comes!

Greg B · 02-05-07, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

I can't stand the amount of frontal overhang of the ARB. If it wasn't for Snook and his "slimming" mod, I probably wouldn't have bought this ARB bumper.

Are you planning on cutting off the bull bar part? If you do the Snook mod, the hood will contact the top bar when you open it, won't it? I've been looking at doing this to mine too; but without cutting the top bar off, I don't see how the hood will shut.

e9999 · 02-05-07, 02:32 PM

nice job and great writeup. FAQ material.

no significant loss of strength?

what about the little headlights? are they covered up much?

hoser · 02-05-07, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg B

Are you planning on cutting off the bull bar part? If you do the Snook mod, the hood will contact the top bar when you open it, won't it? I've been looking at doing this to mine too; but without cutting the top bar off, I don't see how the hood will shut.

Yes, I will at least be cutting off the top bar. I don't really need the protection, it's a city cruiser.

Heck, I should have gotten a Sahara bar and saved me some trouble. I'd rather have less overhang over bullbar protection. For you, it might be possible to weld on new hoops that are vertical and mounted forward of the original position and can allow room for the hood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by e9999

nice job and great writeup. FAQ material.

no significant loss of strength?

what about the little headlights? are they covered up much?

No loss of strength--or if any, very minimal. The accordian mounts are still held in by 4 bolts. The part cut-off was not used as a mounting point. Yes, the high beams are slightly obstructed in its current state but they still work fine.

1loudLX · 02-05-07, 11:41 PM

oh no you didnt hoser, you know what you just did right? Now i have to do that!!!!!

aedgington · 02-06-07, 04:33 AM

Very nice. Wish you had been two weeks earlier on this so I could have bought the $600 ARB that was on eBay

dclee · 02-06-07, 10:30 AM

Hoser -

I was able to dig up the install instructions in the garage last night. Will be faxing today.

calamaridog · 02-08-07, 12:08 AM

That bar is much better looking than the early version.

Jim_Chow · 02-08-07, 09:03 AM

Hoser, what did you use to cut the steel horns? I guess this mod is non-reversible in that you won't be able to reinstall the crush beam if you ever decided to sell the vehicle w/ the OEM plastic bumper?

hoser · 02-08-07, 10:12 AM

I used a pneumatic cut-off tool to cut the steel horns. It only takes a few minutes per side. The part that was cut-off could be welded back on if needed. It is also likely that the newer style crush beam/bumper could be used. The next time somebody with an '03+ removes their bumper, snap a picture so we can compare.

macneill · 02-09-07, 09:03 AM

Looks great. How 'bout some more pix?

SALEH · 02-09-07, 01:54 PM

hoser Cool did u get fog lights for the bumper ? and what about winch ?

hoser · 02-09-07, 02:07 PM

No foglights nor winch yet. From what people are saying about the ARB foglights, they aren't that great and probably not worth it. The PIAA lights on it right now came included with the bumper. I'll probably remove those too.

hoser · 02-09-07, 03:00 PM

I just received the instructions for the ARB bumper (thanks dclee) and it states:

"3. To fit chassis brackets to chassis rails, cut off the lower section of chassis mount."

"4. Mark out a line level with the bottom of chassis rail, and cut off using a hacksaw or a angle grinder and touch up bare metal with paint."

Now, I thought the lower chassis rail was THE difference between the pre and post '03 years but according to the instructions, you are supposed to cut that piece off for later models as well? Why do they even have two different ARB combination bars? (besides the curvature of the front grill being slightly different)

dclee · 02-09-07, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

No foglights nor winch yet. From what people are saying about the ARB foglights, they aren't that great and probably not worth it. The PIAA lights on it right now came included with the bumper. I'll probably remove those too.

I got the ARB fogs and they're fine, about as good or maybe a tad better than OEM (not that that's a ringing endorsement). They actually have a decent cutoff, and definately fill in the illumination pattern below and to the sides of the truck. And they do maintain a factory look, which to me was important given how much we paid for this thing (the truck, not the bumper... well, OK, the bumper too!). Plus, I hated the plastic fillers, sort of like dash button blanks - I just wonder what they're for and I have an irrational need to fill them...

dclee · 02-09-07, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

I just received the instructions for the ARB bumper (thanks dclee) and it states:

"3. To fit chassis brackets to chassis rails, cut off the lower section of chassis mount."

"4. Mark out a line level with the bottom of chassis rail, and cut off using a hacksaw or a angle grinder and touch up bare metal with paint."

Now, I thought the lower chassis rail was THE difference between the pre and post '03 years but according to the instructions, you are supposed to cut that piece off for later models as well? Why do they even have two different ARB combination bars? (besides the curvature of the front grill being slightly different)

Yup, had to make the cut on my `04. Not sure what other differences there might be.

I think you hit it with the shape of the grille. I think that's the only difference.

Jim_Chow · 02-09-07, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

I just received the instructions for the ARB bumper (thanks dclee) and it states:

"3. To fit chassis brackets to chassis rails, cut off the lower section of chassis mount."

"4. Mark out a line level with the bottom of chassis rail, and cut off using a hacksaw or a angle grinder and touch up bare metal with paint."

Now, I thought the lower chassis rail was THE difference between the pre and post '03 years but according to the instructions, you are supposed to cut that piece off for later models as well? Why do they even have two different ARB combination bars? (besides the curvature of the front grill being slightly different)

On my '03, the ARB mounting bracket just slid on directly...no cutting necessary!

hoser · 02-09-07, 08:53 PM

Now, I'm confused. Are the Sahara accordian mounts different than the Combination bar mounts?

dclee · 02-09-07, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

Now, I'm confused. Are the Sahara accordian mounts different than the Combination bar mounts?

Probably. The Sahara bar is a lot lighter, so I would imagine the mounts are engineered differently.

jmarlo · 02-14-07, 09:35 AM

Does the 03+ bar have the plastic cut outs/receptacle for the driving lights only? My brand new 02 bar does not have the plastic cut outs. Just curious.

hoser · 02-14-07, 11:49 AM

The '03+ bar has plastic cut-outs for their optional IPF foglights. Built-in, it has combination turn signal lights (like yours)/and what looks like small clear parking lights.

Jim_Chow · 02-14-07, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dclee

Probably. The Sahara bar is a lot lighter, so I would imagine the mounts are engineered differently.

The accordian part looks the same. Are they rated for the same size winch? Looks like the combo bar has 4 bolt holes per side for the wing while the sahara has 3 on each side. Otherwise, my guess is the difference in weight are the hoops and hoop support.