Aries Bull Bar Installation

Hello All.
HELP!!! I have an 08 SR5 4x4. I just purchased and received the Aries Bull Bar. I'd like to install it this weekend. Everyone in this forum says it's an easy install. I'm looking at the instructions and can't make rhyme or reason of them. I'm not totally useless when it comes to assembling things; however I can't figure out where this thing attaches to the front end of the truck.

(1) Do I have to remove the skid plate that came with my truck? I don't see the bar on the truck (as per the instructions) that supposedly the Bull Bar attaches.

(2) Do I have to remove any existing bolts and use them and the holes they were bolted to to attach the Bull Bar.

Can you give me any hints, maybe any photos of the underside of your truck? I know it's a lot to ask.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Philip Kubota
pskubota@sbcglobal.net

 

Hey Philip,
I can take pictures of the underside of mine tomorrow.

The truck shop installed mine - so I can't comment on the install.

 

Thanks Janster. Look forward to seeing them.

Phil.

 

Here's the outside shot of the bracket/bar...


Here's the inside of the bracket/bar


Hope that helps!

 

Thanks Janster!
Installed the bull bar this afternoon all by my lonesome. The pix helped out immensely. The install took about 2.5 hours because trying to re-tighten those 2 bumper bolts on each side is a royal pain in the ass with the less than 3 inch space. But it looks good! Thanks again!

Phil.

 

glad you figured it out man.

 

<you knew that was coming......>

 

Just got my Aries Bull Bar...looking forward to do it this weekend. Keep me in your prayer But those pictures will help tremendously.

 

It's tight quarters in there, especially when you're tightening the back the bolts to the frame. A socket wrench with the taller sockets work best. Good luck!

 

heck i just posted asking how to do this in another thread. sorry, it thought my search was fruitless, but found this. thanks-----i don't have an aires but the setup is the same. the dumb instrux said in americantonese that i'd need to remove the tow hooks. liars!

 

okay.
i just layed on the ground for about an hour and a half...and by hand i got ONE
bumper bolt loose and off. about stripped out a second one, nearly lifted the truck off the ground myself doing this by hand with a wrench,and some determination. gave up before working the other two.
but no dice.
you're going to tell me i need to buy some specialty wrench for this, aren't you?
or am i just a weakling, or have an overtightened tacoma? ?
busted up some knuckle skin pretty good.
got a good deal on a bull bar ($99 dollars, $60 shipping) must be westin factory seconds, the instructions are westin, but i bought it specifically because they left the logo off.
heck, may even be a knock off, but it's well made and looks good. strictly for looks and lights.
removable skid plate so i can still use tow hooks.
i just want this to be done!

 

Zombot.
It is quite a chore to get the bolts off and reinstalled. Very tight area, almost impossible to get a hand and wrench in there.
You'll need a socket wrench with a socket that's a little "taller" "longer" than your average one, so it can fit over the bolt.
I didn't have to take off the skid plate to do the install.

 

thanks- yeah my friends in the scooterforum have reminded me that you can't work on a truck with quite the same toolbox.
guess i'moff to the hardware store tomorrow

 

heh, not that you experts care about the adventures of a newb , but
got the bull bar on tonight. went to ace and got a deep socket and a longer socket wrench.
nuts came right off. amazing what the simple machine of leverage can do.
it's a big deal to me though, i've only been modding the scooter for the last year..

 

good to hear you got it on there man!!!

savannah, georgia,huh??? damn, i gotta get back there!! awesome place in the city, and tybee island is kickass!!!

 

I know this an older thread...

but, Thanks for the pics Janster!
They really did help out.

 

Digging up an old thread here. Anyone have any other tips for getting these damn bolts off? They don't want to budge I feel like I'm going to break my wrench before they loosen up. Have a deep socket and all the things just won't budge. And just so I'm not being retarded, these bolts are like normal ones, righty tighty lefty loosey? lol

 

WD-40?

It was tough and I feel a little pain afterward. But loving it though.

 

I got some liquid wrench penetrating oil that I sprayed on there hopefully that will make a difference. Will try WD-40 too if that doesn't work.

 

Finally got them off today. Loaded them up with WD-40 then finally found a position to lay under there where I could grab onto the frame to get some leverage and got them loose. Excuse how dirty the front of the truck is right now.