New ARB bumper on 2006 Tacoma

Greetings. Just installed an ARB Deluxe on my 2006 Tacoma. For those who are considering getting one, here are a few pointers I learned from the installation:

1. Before attaching the bumper on the frame mount, be sure to bolt on whatever lights you are going to add. I forgot to bolt on my driving lights prior to attaching and that made for a few swear words.

2. Use a floor jack if you have one, even if you have an extra person. Using the jack to get the bumper just right before drilling the necessary holes made the process a breeze.

3. When you place the bumper on the mounting frame, you'll initially have 6 bolts to secure the bumper onto the mounting frame. The m10 bolts fit into m10 nut cages. This is when you can "jimmy" the bumper for the proper fit before drilling the extra holes to add additional m10 bolts. You'll later drill holes between the bumper flange and the mounting frame flange to anchor it together for good.

I thought the nut cages were a little cheesy, so I tossed the nut cages and just used additional locking washers, washers along with the m10 bolts. By using the floor jack, I was able to fit the bumper perfectly without using the bolts and nut cages. Thus, I have 5 m10 bolts on each side (10 total) anchoring the bumper to the mounting frame using locking washers, washers and nuts, instead of using the nut cages.

I don't know if this will help, or add strength, but I know my bumper isn't going anywhere. I would think anchoring the bumper by using bolts with locking washers and nuts would be better/stronger than screwing them into a cheesy nut cage.

Otherwise, it was pretty simple. The ARB diresctions were a little vague at times, but we got it done. Hope this helps.

 

Nice that thing is beast

 

Looks awesome! I really want one for mine, but I really don't need one either.

 

congrats on the new bumper welcome to the forum...

 

Griz,

trying to decide on an ARB for my Rad Red DCSB. Do you have any more pictures of yours? I would like to get a better idea of how it looks on the Radiant Red. Not many pictures out there of these.

 

Greetings. Will take some more photos and post them.

 

2006 Tacoma with ARB, 3.5" Walker Evans coils, All Pro A-Arms, All Pro exp rear leaf springs.

 

How did you like the 100 parts and pieces it takes to install one? Coming from a Relentless bumper with 4 bolts/nuts/washers I was amazed when I first opened up the screw pack.

 

I agree. All the packaging reminded me of the swing set/fort I put together for the kids. But I can say it didn't take as long as I thought it would and it all worked out.

 

It looks great!!!!!

 

Just got a quote from a place here in Northern Virginia. He said it would take him 6 hours and $600 dollars in labor to put it together. Was he blowing smoke up my ass or did it take that long?

I put on my Jeep bumper in about an hour by myself...

Either way, I guess I will be doing this one with a buddy too and saving the $600.

 

It takes some time to install, but with some beers and a buddy you can do it for a weekend project... Well, only one day is what you will need...

And as OP said, wire all your lights and winch before installing the ARB

 

I could see a rookie taking 6hrs. and by rookie I mean ARB rookie. I told a buddy I would help because my Relentless bumper was so easy to put on and I assumed ARB would be as well. We started at 9pm and drinking beers... 3am bumper still not on the truck. Next day we were done in a couple hours. If it wasn't for all the dam screws and bolts it would be nice and quick.

 

1/2 or less job if you have a friend to help.