ARB bull bar not compatible with Hi-Lift Jack?

[Dwon]

I've got an ARB Deluxe Bull Bar on my 2001 Landcruiser. I spoke with ARB USA (Washington) today and they told me that you can't use a Hi-Lift jack with the bull bars made for the pre-2002 100 series Landcruiser Bull Bars.

They say if it doesn't have the Hi-Lift jack holes in the front it's intentional to prevent using a jack and throwing off the Air Bag compatibility of the bumper.

Has anyone else heard of this? It wouldn't make sense that ARB would have been putting these out for years without having them be compatible with a Hi-Lift.

They also told me that their side rail steps aren't able to be used with a Hi-Lift jack either. So there are no lift points for a Hi-Lift on a pre-2002 100 series using ARB gear! How does that make any sense?

 

[1loudLX]

My 03+ bar has em....you should have gotten one of those! Besides, I thought you did all the mods for looks?

Go on any safaris lately? Hows the big yellow vinyl holding up?

 

[hoser]

Dwon, is there a bolt hole under the rubber bumperettes?

 

[1loudLX]

should be, thats where snook passed his front tow hooks

 

[Dwon]

My 03+ bar has em....you should have gotten one of those! Besides, I thought you did all the mods for looks?

Go on any safaris lately? Hows the big yellow vinyl holding up?

If I had an '03 I would have got that bar.

Yea, I did them for looks to begin with, but after actually putting them to use I can say it was a far better investment than simply marketing. The stiff suspension and increased approach angle have come in handy each of our tours. The heavy duty roof rack is definitely put through the paces.

The big yellow sticker is holding up great. Our sponsors like it!
Here's some of our latest pics of the rig.

 

[hoser]

If there indeed are, then you can use this:

Slee - Recovery Gear

 

[Dwon]

Dwon, is there a bolt hole under the rubber bumperettes?

Nope! If there was I could use the Hi-Lift attachment for ARB bull bars, but it won't work on these bars. ARB said it was intentional that there was no mount point.

That's why you shouldn't mount D rings to these bull bars, it will accordion the crumple zone out and the bumper will be left hanging there limp off the front of the rig.

The bull bar for the pre 2002 100s evidently has delicate crumple zones in the mounting bracket that must be maintained for the air bag.

 

[1loudLX]

so you say we shouldnt put shackle mounts on a winch bumper? I'm perplexed.

 

[Dwon]

so you say we shouldnt put shackle mounts on a winch bumper? I'm perplexed.

ARB said the deluxe bull bars for 98-02 100 series cruisers is not intended to lift or pull the vehicle. Doing so may compromise the crumple zone in the mounting bracket that maintains the airbag deployment integrity.

It makes sense if you look at the mounting bracket and the fact that there is no place to lift or pull from without modifying the bull bar.

The winch mounts in the bracket before the crumple zones so it doesn't affect the airbags, but the bumper is another story.

I was just curious if people had used this specific model bull bar to lift or pull the vehicle and if so was there any significant deformation of the crumple zones.

 

[Dwon]

so you say we shouldnt put shackle mounts on a winch bumper? I'm perplexed.

I see you're driving a 2000 Lexus LX470. The ARB parts catalog shows that's the 470 takes the Sahara bar but not the deluxe bull bar. The part number for that bar is the same as the Sahara bar for the 2000 Landcruiser. The catalog doesn't show a Deluxe Bull Bar for the 470 but it does show it for the 450 which has the same part number as the bull bar for the 80 series cruiser.

Either way, it's not the same part as is on my rig. You may have the same issue with the airbag crumple zones so if I were you I'd double check with ARB before you pull or lift from your bumper.

 

[hoser]

Dwon, just FYI, the '03+ Combo bar also works on all 98-02 LC/LX's. I have done it as well as others. There is a small gap between the front of the grill and bumper but not really noticeable. The winch is directly mounted to the bumper and does not have a winch cradle like your ARB version. There is no problem using the built in hi-lift mount. It has also been approved for up to a 12k winch.

I do not think it is the best system with the accordion mounts but so far people in the US have been okay with it.

 

[1loudLX]

Dwon, just FYI, the '03+ Combo bar also works on all 98-02 LC/LX's. I have done it as well as others.

Like meeee! Thanks again hoser!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Interesting, I hadn't thought about the crush zones distorting if you put the weight of the truck on them. Good thing I've got sliders . . . .

 

[Dwon]

Dwon, just FYI, the '03+ Combo bar also works on all 98-02 LC/LX's. I have done it as well as others. There is a small gap between the front of the grill and bumper but not really noticeable. The winch is directly mounted to the bumper and does not have a winch cradle like your ARB version. There is no problem using the built in hi-lift mount. It has also been approved for up to a 12k winch.

I do not think it is the best system with the accordion mounts but so far people in the US have been okay with it.

If our models of LC require the crumple zones to make the airbags deploy correctly, I wouldn't feel comfortable using a different mount. I couldn't forgive myself if my wife was driving with our son in the back and the airbags didn't deploy when they were supposed to.

The parts numbers listing states that the Combo bars are (LC 100 only).
http://www.arbusa.com/uploads/PDF/accessorizeYourRig/toyotaLandCruiser100Lexus470.pdf

That makes me think the LC 100 has different mounting requirements than the LX and maybe the crumple zones aren't the same. I'd check with ARB to be sure.

 

[hoser]

The reason why they don't specify the ARB Combo bar for the LX is because the upper light/antenna tabs get in the way of opening the hood. LX front grill is connected to hood. Most LX owners still want to open their hoods, so they cut those tabs off.

 

[Dwon]

If ARB continues to produce the "old style" (98-02) crumple zone mounting bracket and bull bar that won't accept a Hi-Lift jack, it's got to be for a really good reason. From a business stand point, it would be much easier to discontinue the 98-02 product line and just sell the 02-07 bull bar and mount for 98-07 LC 100s, especially if it will fit with no modifications (other than light cutting or drilling).

There's got to be a really good reason they continue to put extra money into producing this style mount and bar.

They've even updated the mounting system with a spacer so that it isn't required to saw off that tab at the front of the frame rails. They're intentionally keeping this design for 98-02 vehicles. My guess is that it's a safety/liability issue because nothing else would justify the continued expense to produce this line.

 

[hoser]

I'm sure there is a reason too... but it's not necessarily a really good reason.

 

[EdsCruisin]

This is good information that I wouldn't have expected. But when I buy my front bumper, I'm thinking I will fabricate something to use as a jack and/or pull point, that doesn't compromise the crumple factor.

 

[Dwon]

This is good information that I wouldn't have expected. But when I buy my front bumper, I'm thinking I will fabricate something to use as a jack and/or pull point, that doesn't compromise the crumple factor.

I think I've seen someone do just that by cutting a hold in the front of the bull bar and running a large piece of metal through and welding it to the frame. That way there's no force against the bumper when used as a pull point and it won't interfere with the airbags if the holes are large enough to not drag on the bar in an accident (hopefully).

If you do a search you may find the thread.

 

[yoter100]

Dont think hi lift "hook" would fit through the bolt holes on the front??


Just sold my arb or else i would go check. Anyone know for sure??