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mobtown hidden recovery bar issue

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Tommyvue, Jan 8, 2017.

  1. Jan 9, 2017 at 1:08 PM
    #41
    gpb

    gpb Well-Known Member

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    only on days that end in y
     
  2. Jan 9, 2017 at 3:05 PM
    #42
    MilkTeacoma

    MilkTeacoma Well-Known Member

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    OP: I have the exact same issue with my Mobtown Recovery Bar. I have seen several other 3rd gen owners with the same issues. I sent an email to Joe a while back about the installation process and my constructive criticism on how to improve it, but never heard a reply back or anything.

    One thing I have learn about metal fabrication, that these are all hand made and the outcome will be different every single time. You can only rely on a jig so much, but there will always be an imperfection especially if humans are involved in that process.

    To make it look right, you gotta trim and trim a lot. I had to unfortunately had to trim, the bottom of the grill, the bumper, the lower grill insert, etc. There is no way I can go back to stock after all the trimming I did. I even grind down the top of the shackle point where the bottom of the grill rest because I trimmed the grill surround way too much. The install took more than 12 hrs for me because I kept on removing and installing the front end to make sure it fit right.

    30215697586_740e088e1c_h.jpg

    It still bowes, luckily only I can see it. Anyone that has seen my car in person rarely notices this upgrade, which I like.
    [​IMG]

    Making it look good is one thing, unfortunately for me, that's all it is. I honestly feel I can't use it whenever I would need to be recovered.
    As soon as I put any weight on the shackle points in either direction, there is so much play in the design, that I would be afraid that it would move and shift all the panels and damage my front end of my truck.

    Like I think this would be flush without a gap, but when I do, I gotta trim the grill surround another a half inch to make it work.

    [​IMG]

    I ended up stacking washers to fill the gap, but in my mind, I am sure this is not the right fix.

    [​IMG]

    Also the instructions said to use their supplied hardware, but the I felt the OEM square tube insert added more rigidity than not having it. I had to buy a longer bolt with the same specs as the OEM bolt so I still utilized the square tube insert.

    [​IMG]

    Speaking of hardware...

    [​IMG]

    I got 2 bolts and 4 holes per side. Can you guess which ones I used? Hint: The photo above with bolt placement is completely wrong. You can also see the 3 nuts that hold the bar and the how the holes are slotted for more adjustment? Those slotted holes made it a pain to get the fitment right.

    After all this, I just kinda stop taking photos at this time.

    Sorry for venting, but I hope this would be resolved. I guess my email never really sinked in.

    What is done is done. Joe did plently and took care of us after the whole poor packaging mishap. I just hope he fixes the fitment issue.
     
  3. Jan 9, 2017 at 3:31 PM
    #43
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Hey there fellow Californian! I grew up in Thousand Oaks. What kind of camera are you using? Photos came out great.
     
  4. Jan 9, 2017 at 7:05 PM
    #44
    MilkTeacoma

    MilkTeacoma Well-Known Member

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    Thank you sir! Where you move to? The camera I use is a combination Canon DLSR and iPhone. :thumbsup:
     
  5. Jan 10, 2017 at 3:09 AM
    #45
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    Currently in good ol Pensacola, Fl! Then off to Bethesda, MD. I just got a T6i and am loving it so far.
     
    MilkTeacoma[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Jan 10, 2017 at 11:51 AM
    #46
    Tommyvue

    Tommyvue [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I going to have to take everything apart again and cut more off. going to also put some washer on the lower bolt to move the bar down a little. really don't want to grind off any part of the shackle or hitch, if it come to that then I'm just going take it off and get a full bumper.
     
  7. Jan 27, 2018 at 9:02 AM
    #47
    Seattleskindoc

    Seattleskindoc Well-Known Member

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    RedArc dual battery system, AluCab canopy, Prinsu rack fore and aft Planned: Mobtown recovery bar and full steel skids, light bar on rack and BD amber fog replacements, ham radio and antennae, SPOD system, 12 gallon water tank integrated with bed drawer system
    Can any of you guys post a link or PDF file for the Gen 3 install instructions ? I'm planning on installing this weekend, and have my cutting tool ready to go.

    Thanks
     
  8. Jan 27, 2018 at 9:56 AM
    #48
    Mobtown Offroad

    Mobtown Offroad Boss

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  9. Jan 27, 2018 at 9:57 AM
    #49
    Mobtown Offroad

    Mobtown Offroad Boss

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    Replied to your email too
     
  10. Jan 27, 2018 at 11:05 AM
    #50
    stun gun

    stun gun Well-Known Member

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    Don’t worry. He’s got a blue spoon.
     
  11. Jan 28, 2018 at 8:37 PM
    #51
    Seattleskindoc

    Seattleskindoc Well-Known Member

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    RedArc dual battery system, AluCab canopy, Prinsu rack fore and aft Planned: Mobtown recovery bar and full steel skids, light bar on rack and BD amber fog replacements, ham radio and antennae, SPOD system, 12 gallon water tank integrated with bed drawer system
    Zero issues. Great fit. Installed along with an Anderson connector. If it doesn't fit, then cut your bumper more.
    C49B0382-729A-4CC1-A893-D073EFA4183A-1617-00000467CDB21E04.jpg
     
    eurowner likes this.
  12. Jan 28, 2018 at 8:52 PM
    #52
    blackohio

    blackohio Well-Known Member

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    lol dudes crying about modifying trucks and about having to trim small bits of plastic.
     

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