Between a 40-plus-hour a week job and the blistering Alabama sun, the ARB bull bar install turned into a much longer project than I had hoped. There is also some slanderous talk floating around to the effect that I went fishing when I should have been working on it. Honestly, have you people no shame? Nevertheless, an hour here and two hours there, I dutifully forged ahead.
In order to access the factory bumper bar, you must first loosen the plastic bumper cover.
There are small screws inside the fender well that join the bumper cover to the bumper bar inside.
More screws connect the bumper cover to the plastic wheel well liner.
Next, it’s time to go underneath and remove the row of screws across the bottom.
Once the screws are out, it’s time to start looking for the four bolts that hold the bumper bar onto aluminum mounting brackets that are in turn attached to the frame.
The bolts you’re looking for are the ones to the left in the next photo. Like most of the fasteners you will encounter from this point forward, they are metric. Thanks a load, Ben Franklin! The ones in the right foreground come out also, but don’t loosen them yet.
Once you start working on these bolts, things will get moving. If you’re not ready, this may not be a good thing. Time to deploy the jack stands. This is especially important if you are working on this project without a buddy to hold the whole works in place while you’re torquing on it.
There are two nuts on the inside outboard face. These are the last fasteners to remove before you should be able to slide the bumper out a little. Don’t pull it all the way off; there are fittings you need to disconnect first.
If you’ve gotten this far in one session, it’s probably time for the old “cold wrench.” Get out from under the truck first and then enjoy.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Theresa // Jul 8, 2009 at 3:20 pm
So glad to see that you are back with us and especially glad to know (inside info) that the Rover-haul is finally complete. Know you are too.
2 armchairoutfitter // Jul 9, 2009 at 8:32 am
It’s definitely not a little job, although with help, the right tools, and much cooler temperatures, one could knock it out in a weekend. I don’t want to skip ahead, but I can’t wait to post the photos of the end result.
3 Theresa // Jul 9, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Can’t wait to see end result. Are u happy with how it turned out?
4 armchairoutfitter // Jul 9, 2009 at 8:53 pm
I’m pleased with the result so far. The approach angle looks to be improved, and the annoying vibration of the factory unit is gone. Granted, I haven’t taken the truck off-road and really used the bull bar yet. I’m looking forward to strapping my canoe on the roof bars and using the bull bar as a forward tie-off point.
5 Theresa // Jul 10, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Would that be the canoe that y’all bought months ago and still haven’t found the time to put in the water???
6 Teresa // Jul 12, 2009 at 5:45 am
Boy you sure did have your hands full with that task! I’ve not been on your site for a while…makes me long to hear one of your stories while taking a break at work. Site is looking great and looks like you are enjoying this wonderful summer heat we are having!
7 armchairoutfitter // Jul 12, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Aunt Theresa,
Yes, that would be the one. The trouble is that I am such a great companion for a day on the water my friends all insist on taking me saltwater fishing every weekend I have free. I buy fuel, I bring beer and bait, and I can fillet fish like a house afire. I can’t get a day free to fish by myself, and that’s a good problem to have. As Jim Overman says, “You don’t need a boat; you need a friend with a boat.”
8 armchairoutfitter // Jul 12, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Other Teresa,
I think “enjoying” is stretching it a bit, especially when one is lying under the truck working overhead. About like enjoying a stroke. If I had an air conditioned shop with a lift, I would be unstoppable. Well, a lift and a refrigerator. One must store the “cold wrench.”
9 Cindi // Jul 16, 2009 at 8:14 am
Let me know if you ever want to promote your site on Twitter. It’s easy to do, and I think you’d like it. Great pics, BTW!
10 armchairoutfitter // Jul 16, 2009 at 8:57 am
Lord knows I need help with all this technology. If you had seen my face when I saw the site up and running for the first time, it would have reminded you of a scene from Quest for Fire. I still think of cell phones as “new-fangled,” and Tivo is obviously magical. I’ll pass your praise on to the Art Department.
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