T-CAM bullbars

[greynolds]

I'm not worried about Toyota not covering it, the only reason I think it probably isn't sold in North America as a dealer option, is because , there isn't a big market for it here, same reason they don't offer a turbo diesel or a 105. The few Landcruisers that come to the US are marketed as fully loaded luxury vehicles. Not the case in other parts of the world like Australia where they sell far more Landcruisers
The way I see it is Toyota designed theyre brackets and bullbar to work at the same crush rate as the cheap bumper, they have crash tested it, unless gravity is different in the Southern hemisphere a crush rate is a crush rate. That and the fact that I haven't seen anything stateing "not for use in North America" or "for offroad use only".

Well, gravity works in the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere because it still has to pull the item in the opposite direction in order to hit the ground.

On a serious note though, if you honestly think that Toyota would actually cover damages incurred to your vehicle or (more importantly) people in any way related to installing something that they don't sell in this market, I really think you'd get a serious reality check before you'd get a dime out of them. If you're even remotely concerned that you may some day have an accident that might be air bag related, you'd really be well advised to at least try to get something in writing from Toyota that they stand behind the bumper in this market. Toyota North America has a very easy out in the event that there is serious injury or death that could be attributed to the bumper you're installing that they don't import into this market, Toyota Genuine Part or not. Another factor is whether the bumper is DOT approved or not - it obviously isn't given that Toyota doesn't officially import it to the US (the ARB and TJM bumpers probably are either).

So perhaps I spent $300 to $400 more than I would have with an ARB or TJM , but I think it's defintely worth it.
Here is a pic from autotrader.com.au with the bar.

The bottom line is whether you're happy with your choice or not - I don't think any of us are trying to be negative in that regard. We're just trying to point out what we feel are obvious and potentially serious flaws in your assumptions in regards to how Toyota would treat you on a claim if the need arose. The ramifications of a faulty assumption on your part could potentially ruin you financially if there was a serious injury or death that was attributed in any way to the bumper. Worst case in trying to get Toyota to give you something in writing is that they'll refuse to do so. Best case is you'll have some peace of mind - and prove us all wrong . As I've said before, it would really say something positive for Toyota if they did give you something in writing that they would stand behind the product.

 

[hkeller]

Wait a minute. Not to get into a legal debate, but I assume sean04100 has a vehicle liability policy. If so, he is covered for negligence up to his policy limits. Whether they are high enough to cover any potential liability is always an open question. However, his replacement of a bumper is not going to impact the level of his liability personally. Is it? At worst, it may effect his insurance companies ability to subrogate against Toyota, but who really cares. THE BUMPER LOOKS GREAT. When I have the funds, I am ordering one to replace that platic peice of junk that came on our $65,000 vehicle!

On the other hand, if sean04100's policy has an exclusion for coverage of modified vehciles, watach out. I doubt it, but you would be driving an uninsured vehicle, in spite of the premiums you pay. Might be worth a call to the insurance company.

 

[greynolds]

Wait a minute. Not to get into a legal debate, but I assume sean04100 has a vehicle liability policy. If so, he is covered for negligence up to his policy limits. Whether they are high enough to cover any potential liability is always an open question. However, his replacement of a bumper is not going to impact the level of his liability personally. Is it? At worst, it may effect his insurance companies ability to subrogate against Toyota, but who really cares. THE BUMPER LOOKS GREAT. When I have the funds, I am ordering one to replace that platic peice of junk that came on our $65,000 vehicle!

On the other hand, if sean04100's policy has an exclusion for coverage of modified vehciles, watach out. I doubt it, but you would be driving an uninsured vehicle, in spite of the premiums you pay. Might be worth a call to the insurance company.

You may have a good point - in that the insurance policy may be what matters here - but since insurance rules vary from state to state, it would definitely be a good idea to contact the insurance company.

Yes, the bumper looks great, but keep in mind that one of the key reasons for getting it that was mentioned much earlier in this thread was "I really would prefer a bumper made by Toyota for safety and liability reasons" - hence the ensuing (and I think mostly interesting) discussion. The liability question here, I think, probably applies to most aftermarket bumpers.

Even if the insurance does cover up to whatever limits he has, I do wonder what might happen in our lovely litigous society in civil court if a bumper not officially sold in the US were deemed the culprit that caused serious injury in an accident. I also wonder what the situation might be with an ARB or TJM bumper - would the fact that the companies "officially" bring them here actually make a difference?

The whole issue of liability may or may not be moot, but it is something I've wondered about for years, despite the fact that I had put Safari Gard front and rear bumpers on my Land Rover which I had prior to the LX.

 

[Sean04100]

This thread has brought up some very good points about insurance, I will deintely check that out.
The liability reason for the damage the bar could do to someone else or there vehicle, was one reason for wanting a Toyota bar (this could be a grey area) but I think if you hired a good Lawyer he would have more to work with in your favor, if the bumper has Toyota's name on it.
The other major reason being I do also feel confident the Toyota bumper will trigger the airbags in my vehicle the way they were designed to be, on this point I can't see how Toyota could put there name on a product and not stand behind it , I believe once there name is on it, it's no longer considered aftermarket but an accessory or an option. The only thing I know for sure is the bumper and brackets are designed and made by Toyota to work with the airbags. Everything else is just my opinion.
I will try to get something in writing from Toyota North America, till then it is just speculation, but even if they don't , it still gives me peace of mind, just knowing the airbags will work.

 

[Sean04100]

I mounted the bumper, went on easier than I thought. There is absolutely no play in it, very solid. Looks better than I thought also, I was concerned that the chrome would be too much, the middle part of the bumper looks like a brushed finish. I'll post pics soon.

 

[subspd]

If you add ANYTHING aftermarket to your car it CAN affect your coverage. In Texas everyone has those ranch hand bumpers some companies will not even cover a vehical with one others will charge more in premiums if they have them. So people will not inform there carrier and then when they have an accident it can create a lot of problems for the insured. They can depending on your policy cause you not to be covered. Look under Exclusions in your policy. And not only will this vary by state but also by carrier. Anytime you add anything to the outside of your car you should inform your agent.

 

[Sean04100]

Got a chance to take some pics

 

[Sean04100]

few more

 

[DMX84]

That’s a nice bumper! On the insurance note, just tell them is was like that when you got it. (How will they know?) And it’s a Toyota bumper so how are you supposed to know it’s aftermarket?
DMX

 

[Sean04100]

under the bumper

 

[DMX84]

OK, forget the bumper! I want to see the Porsche!

 

[Sean04100]

seems I've exceeded my upload limit, I'll try again tommorow.

 

[hoser]

Just got back from Oz. Seemed greater than 90% of the 100's had bullbars. Of those, more than half were the OEM type that Sean bought. It's a nice looking bumper... well, it looks stock with a bit more heft. The rest of the bullbars were aftermarket, many of them alloy.

Sean, for reference, do you happen to know the weight? And what lights go above the foglights? Do they blink, as in signal lights?

 

[100 TD]

I was told ARB make or have made a lot of bullbars for toyata. (Whether this is true or not who knows) As has been stated previously above, they are made to Toyota specifications. Whether those specs are as good or better than ARB's or TJM's, who knows. ARB and TJM IIRC sell in many countries and have a good product which has been tested for airbag compatibility. TJM may well manufacture some bars for them as well.

I have also heard that Hayman Reese Austarlia, who make most of australias tow bars also manufacture for toyota. Obviously there is no point in toyota making different towbars and bullbars in every different market in the world if they can get someone else to do it, who already specialises in this market as it is. There is also a different style commanded by users all over the world so lots of different bullbars and towbars would be required by toyota.

So if you are buying an Australian Toyota bar, it comes up to ADR69 I think (Australian design rule 69) whether it is made by TJM or ARB or whoever, just like the ARB and TJM ones.
Although if you buy an ARB bar sold in the US, it may be the same part number as the australian one if our regulations are stiffer than yours, or if the US regulations are harsher or different, in some way, I would expect it would be made to suit those specs.

However, as the the Toyota badged bar has been made to suit Australian specs, it may not conform to US specifications.

So my closing point is that I would expect ARB or TJM bars sold in the US to be manufactured and approved for the US, but the Toyota one may or may not be.

What ever the case, good luck with your bar, hope you don't bend it up too soon!

 

[Sean04100]

Hoser, the shipping weight with the pallet was 45K or 99 lbs. I've maybe noticed a 1/8" drop in the front ride height, measured before I put it on from fenderlip to the ground and it was 33".
The lights above the driving lights are turn signals.