Box Rocket
Well-known member
that's some serious 'tire-shine' you got going on there.
ARB Bullbar Mods
- Thread starter daverami
- Start date
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Yeah I agree, he needs more clearance between the bar and his body. Under flex it will touch the body.
I haven't done any mods to mine yet other than burn off the stock powder coating and get it poweder coated with silver vien.
But....I think the ARB bar needs to be strengthened up where it mounts at. Reason being is my bar now after 15,000 on a recent trip is showing some signs of cracked welds. Nothing major yet but all the rough roads has took its toll. My bar has a bit of slop in it, only noticed when you try to shake the truck while holding the bar. Inspecting the bar I notice fatigue where it mounts.
I also like the light mods people have done to their bars! Would like to do that to mine....
I haven't done any mods to mine yet other than burn off the stock powder coating and get it poweder coated with silver vien.
But....I think the ARB bar needs to be strengthened up where it mounts at. Reason being is my bar now after 15,000 on a recent trip is showing some signs of cracked welds. Nothing major yet but all the rough roads has took its toll. My bar has a bit of slop in it, only noticed when you try to shake the truck while holding the bar. Inspecting the bar I notice fatigue where it mounts.
I also like the light mods people have done to their bars! Would like to do that to mine....
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
Are you saying the ARB has cracks or the frame that it mounts too? Did you do the end cap mod? I've collectively put well over 100k of hard miles on my Tacomas, replaced a crumple-zone bracket and broke the stock end caps out of the frame... but no cracked welds on the ARB.
RSB
Adventurer
it was picture day! :victory:
ya, it's already rubbing. Clears the driver side, but not the passenger. In fact, added some rubber temporarily to prevent the paint from continuing to rub. Need to to do the job right and get this adjusted! Been busy working on my next project... :costumed-smiley-007
that's some serious 'tire-shine' you got going on there.
ya, it's already rubbing. Clears the driver side, but not the passenger. In fact, added some rubber temporarily to prevent the paint from continuing to rub. Need to to do the job right and get this adjusted! Been busy working on my next project... :costumed-smiley-007
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
I can't tell exactly without removing the bar what the issue is. But the bar is not as solid as it was before the 15,000 mile trip. It just has a lot more vibration/slop in it now. Not like it is falling off or anything but still...
I can see one tiny little crack where there frame mounts come out of the rear of the bar, otherwise everything looks normal.
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
Did you do any kind of frame mod ie the end cap mod? If not I'd almost certainly guess your flex and slop is from the factory cap cracking or tweaking.
RSB
Adventurer
yes! at least I think so... I thought the clunking sound I was hearing was coming from the suspension also. Turned out to be the bumper rattling near where it's making contact w/the fender, right beneath the passenger parking light. This is the rubbing I was referring to. Took me awhile to figure it out, mostly because I couldn't forcibly replicate the rattle myself by hand. It only happened w/the weight of the truck bouncing on the road! Very frustrating...
although your ARB isn't as close to the body as mine, sounds like you might be having the same problem! If it doesn't sound like a rattle though, I don't know what it is.
although your ARB isn't as close to the body as mine, sounds like you might be having the same problem! If it doesn't sound like a rattle though, I don't know what it is.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
No we didn't do any mods to it....I think I know what you are talking about "end cap mod" but....got link?
And for you guys with the bar so close to the body....you want it spaced farther off not just to stop a rattle. This is what it looks like when you flex the truck up.
cruiseroutfit
Supporting Sponsor: Cruiser Outfitters
But of course:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ARB+end+cap+mod+toyota
:sombrero: I kid, I kid.
How about this one from ExPo:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2747
It might not be a bad idea for ARB to mention it in their instructions, though really its up to the retailers of these products to make sure their customers are aware of the caveats, upgrades, special needs, etc. I did not do the 'end-cap-mod' when I mounted the ARB on my first Tacoma (96' ExCab) as it was not a known mod at the time. Failures started happening (including my Tacoma) and its now become a 'mandatory' fitment for any bumpers I install and a recommendation for any I sell.
Pics of the end-cap-mod on my current Tacoma (04 DC):
RSB
Adventurer
actually, when I did the install I forgot we added about a 1/2 in of washers to level-out the passenger side w/the driver. I don't know when, but it's obviously leveled-out on its own since and now the washers have become a problem. All I need to do is take off the ARB mounts and get those washers out of there! I'm also going to add the type of rubber molding w/metal in in that allows you to essentially crimp it to the edge of the bumper securely. That should prevent any more contact w/the paint. :ylsmoke:
I have the exact same issue at the same spot. When I have my limb risers on its not a issue.. Thinking the end cap mod or a small body lift would help? All the bolts are as tight as can be. Its just an annoying clunk that bugs me.
