So here I was pondering off road and expedition travel and thinking I wish I had a bolt on front bumper. Then it hit me would a same year Triton have a bumper, and maybe they would be set up similar for all the tanks and what not so I wouldn't have to do a bunch of crap... Maybe just maybe.
Any one ever hear about this???
Let me preface this with "IN THEORY..."
I believe its possible to modify the ARB '97-'99 Montero Sport bull bar to fit the '00-'05 Montero Sport.
I haven't done it. I seem to remember someone some years ago talking to me about having done it. I haven't pulled the fascia off my '03 so I'm making an educated guess here ...
The windshield washer tank was relocated to the front, passenger side corner of the radiator support. The grill on the '00-'05 dips down below the horizontal line of the fenders/skirts. Not sure how to explain this. You could draw a horizontal line from one side of the vehicle to the other and the lights, grill and fenders were even. Not so on the new Sports.
As far as I know, there was no change in the frame between the first generation and second generation Sports. So, mounting would not be the issue. Clearing the grill and possibly headlight assemblies would be.
Mmmmm. I have my stock '97 with a bull bar sitting here at work with my '03 Limited. I'll take a closer look when I wander out next.
Otherwise, trying to modify some other vehicle bumper to fit the Sport is usually a PITA. It depends on how complex the bumper is and how different the two vehicles are.
I have talked to a couple people two have had this idea about using a Toy bumper. Keep in mind that because they look similar on the outside doesn't mean that the internal (frame) construction is similar. If I remember correctly, the problems that were encountered were with the actual height of the frame relative to the body.
If you're familiar with the Sport ARB, the frame connectors are attached to the front of the frame and angle up at 45 degrees for probably 14". Most bumpers come straight (horizontal) off the frame. Can't really do that on a Sport or your bumper would be 15" off the ground even if it sat 24" off the ground like my big '97 crawler.
That said, it depends on how much work you want to put into it. Anything is possible, but doing it without welding and fabricating? No. Not a chance.
I might point out, if you plan to put a winch bumper on, you'd better know what you're doing. Tearing the bumper off while winching is not an experience you want anything to do with. Don't remember who that happened to years ago. There used to be a youtube video of one of us tearing an ARB bull bar off. I actually ALMOST did the same thing some time ago. There's some reinforcement that needs to be done on the Mitsu side of the bumper mount that ARB doesn't tell anyone about.
Edward
I believe its possible to modify the ARB '97-'99 Montero Sport bull bar to fit the '00-'05 Montero Sport.