Bull Bar onto '13 LX 570: how hard?

[scottm]

I've been poking around the 200 forum, while poking around online for my next rig. This would be a highway cruiser mostly, but needs to carry a bull-bar for the high amount of deer on my long commute. I've hit seven deer so far, and see plenty on my night runs, alive and smashed.

I think a '13 LX 570 would be a little quieter and nicer for highway than a LC, but the front fascia and grill look less bull-bar simple. I see some pics here on 'mud, the final result looks nice.

I checked ARB and Slee websites, seeing something about universal mount? How solidly is this ARB Deluxe bar mounted to the frame? On my 80 it sleeved over the frame with many through-bolts, and could hit a deer without flexing back into my hood. I'm concerned this version isn't a solid piece...? Are there other brands that protect from deer/roos?

What about sensors? I'd like to keep whatever safety features come on the LX.

I ran stock springs on my '97 80 with an ARB bull bar, and it was not measurably lower than my other '97 80. This was a big debate on the 80 forum, is anyone running stock springs with bull bar (no winch)? I don't want to go higher for a highway cruiser, except whatever bigger tires give me.

I can wait until spring, I have both my '03 LC and '03 4R, but once I start looking it can happen whenever I find a good deal.

2013 Lexus LX 570 Black /tan

 

[Markuson]

TJM T13.
Slee has them right now.
Not on the Slee web site though.
Just call.

 

[gentimmy]

TJM T13.
Slee has them right now.
Not on the Slee web site though.
Just call.

That bumper will fit front fascia of an LX?

 

[brasskey]

That bumper will fit front fascia of an LX?

 

[grinchy]

Trimming of the bumper cover will be required. The included headlight fill will likely not fit and more bumper cover trimming. The frame under the bumper should physically be the same.

 

[grinchy]

Nice @brasskey
Do you have a side view?

 

[Markuson]

Just to clarify to the op...that’s a T13 in Brasskey’s post.


On the LC...no trimming the bumper cover. Worst case on the pre-26 LX is you keep a bit of upperbumper cover.

 

[brasskey]

Nice @brasskey
Do you have a side view?

No, that was what I found after a quick search on Google. Like the ARB, it will fit, but just requires trimming as @Markuson mentioned.

 

[nalabama]

Well, that should certainly make the decision to buy a Lexus a little easier.

 

[scottm]

Thanks, that looks like what I'm after. How does it attach to the frame, is it one solid part from frame out, or multiple parts? I'm just curious about mention of "universal fit", which usually means adjustable mounts, rather than a single, solid part. After hitting many deer and totaling a few cars, I put a lot of value in this thing being able to put a deer in the ditch at 80mph. I could weld the mounts together once it is all on, to make it one piece.

 

[scottm]

If I can find a 200 near Slee, that would make this crazy good. 1,100 miles from home, but I'd only have to drive it one way.

 

[scottm]

Has anyone DIY installed this on an LX?

 

[gentimmy]

Just to clarify to the op...that’s a T13 in Brasskey’s post.


On the LC...no trimming the bumper cover. Worst case on the pre-26 LX is you keep a bit of upperbumper cover.

Thank you, guys

 

[krice118]

@Ohnoitsbreaux what year is your LX?

 

[UCrazyKid]

So I have the ARB front bull and rear on my 2011 LX. The connection to the truck is the same as the LC and very stout. The LX auto leveling suspension takes care of any “droop” the front might have from the weight. In fact 10min with a 10mm wrench and you can permanently raise the front end to level it up.
There was a lot of cutting done on the lower bumper facia and there was no template. Trial fitting and marking. Extension of wires for the parking sensors and you can move the front camera down to the bumper also with a kit from ARB.

The 2013 and 2011 do have slightly different bumpers though. I didn’t have the bumper installed (previous owner did it) so I don’t know much else.

 

[gentimmy]

From Ben @ Slee-

"As with everyone on the forum, I would love to see pictures from the side profile. I can see from the pictures the trimming leaves some less uniform gaps under the headlights at the bumper tubing. I’m most concerned about the trimming gaps on the outer edges of the grill where the bumper uprights protrude rearwards.


If you are not sensitive to the consistency of the gaps between the bumper and vehicle body work I feel it is a viable project. I do not feel it is possible to maintain the consistent body gaps we are familiar with when working with the ARB Sahara Bar."

 

[grinchy]

I knew I’d seen a side shot somewhere
For 10 Years of Ownership, LC or LX? It’s an arb, but similar trimming will aplly

 

[brasskey]

Maybe email seller if you want to see more pictures. The side profile doesn’t have good lighting.

2010 Lexus Lx570 Sports Luxury Urj201r - www.just4x4s.com.au

 

[Ali FJ80]

Has anyone DIY installed this on an LX?

I installed a dobinson bumper myself which is very much like an ARB and most modern mass produced bumper and they do not attach to the frame the same way as the 80 bumpers do. Maybe custom ones can be done as one piece but these for the most part seem to have this two piece system. I remember the one on my 80 going onto the rails and it was all solid. These have a mounting plate which also holds the winch which attaches to the truck using the 6 stock studs that held on the old bumper support and also the holes for the 4 recovery point bolts. The bumper is then bolted to this mount so it is not one piece. The mounting points give you some room for adjustment and I guess you could go in and weld as you say to strengthen it up but really not sure it would need it. Also cutting the bumper skin is quite easy with a multi tool and as long as you take good measurements with the bumper installed and then cut the old skin to match I dont see why that would be an issue with any bumper.

 

[bwell]

Well I'll do a write up on the install for a 2008 hopefully by next weekend. I have the remnants of my old bumper cover, and cracked grill as well as a replacement for both to do a mock up, measure ten times and cut twice.