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Post by dirk on Aug 7, 2015 23:00:51 GMT -5
I really like the fit, finish, and function of the ARB bull bar, but it only lists 97 to 99 for compatible model years.
Was there that much of a change in bumper and tow etc mounting points that it will not work on the 2000 to 2004 models? I wish there was a document available that would show the exact structural changes between different model years. Would make it easier to figure out which grilles bumpers etc are interchangeable. Some are obvious like lights some are under the skin I am sure.
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Post by ES_97Sport on Aug 10, 2015 18:40:25 GMT -5
I really like the fit, finish, and function of the ARB bull bar, but it only lists 97 to 99 for compatible model years. Correct. Its not the frame mounting, as I understand things. The frame didn't actually change. The problem is the changes made to the styling on the Gen 2s. I have two '97s, a '99 and an '03. Other than styling changes and repositioning the washer fluid tank, I haven't found anything different. The turn signals assemblies were removed from the front fascia and integrated into the head light assemblies on the Gen 2. No. Almost all the changes made to the Gen 2 are relatively minor. The only structural change that I'm aware of is the different (taller) roof like my '03 has. I don't' know how much you kow about how the ARB bolts on. The bull bar sits way out front and up. As long as the bumper mounts line up with the frame and the rear of the bumper clears the radiator support and all the A/C stuff, there's nothing structural for it to hit. The big thing that stands out is the grill. On the '97-'99, the bottom, front line of the fenders runs straight across the front and its flat (horizontal). So, the bottoms of the fenders, grill and headlights are even. On the Gen 2, the grill projects below this line. The ARB has a flat surface that mates up with that flat line of parts I described earlier. ARB didn't make a cut-out (space) to accommodate the grill. Options: Cut the bottom of the grill off. Since you can barely see it anyway, that's probably not such a bad option. Chop the back of the ARB. I dislike doing anything that will structurally compromise the bumper especially if you're actually planning on using the winch. Retrofit a Gen 1 grill. I have no measurements so I have no idea if this is even remotely possible (I THINK the radiator support is the same for Gen 1 and Gen 2, which is what makes me think this might be possible). AFAIK, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, at least one person has fitted a '97-'99 bull bar to a Gen 2 Sport. Haven't seen any pics and I don't know what all had to be done, so .... Edward
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Post by bdmontero on Aug 10, 2015 22:09:12 GMT -5
I've seen it on here. They had to buy a different washer tank and cut the grill. They also had to trim the bottom of the grill like Ed said. I will say the damn thing is HEAVY. aftermarket HD torsion bars are MANDATORY if you are doing an ARB bar. I will also say after being backed into by two Hondas and a Chrysler van it has paid for itself. Edward will chime in this is VERY IMPORTANT!!! if you get the ARB bar for Gods sake get the lower mounting brackets reinforced and specifically the lower frame itself welded with at least 1/4 inch steel. If you don't at some point you will have it do a nose dive on to the front fender flares and tires. NOT COOL! Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards
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Post by dirk on Aug 11, 2015 10:25:51 GMT -5
Didn't know about the reinforcing oart. Definitely another thing to save up for b4 buying it.
Gen washer tanks also have to be changed/moved?
And agree costomizing the grill would definitely be a better option.
TY guys for the info. Wish I had other Sports around me to compare stuff to.
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Post by ES_97Sport on Aug 11, 2015 13:33:16 GMT -5
I've seen it on here. They had to buy a different washer tank and cut the grill. They also had to trim the bottom of the grill like Ed said. I will say the damn thing is HEAVY. aftermarket HD torsion bars are MANDATORY if you are doing an ARB bar. I will also say after being backed into by two Hondas and a Chrysler van it has paid for itself. Edward will chime in this is VERY IMPORTANT!!! if you get the ARB bar for Gods sake get the lower mounting brackets reinforced and specifically the lower frame itself welded with at least 1/4 inch steel. If you don't at some point you will have it do a nose dive on to the front fender flares and tires. NOT COOL! Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards BD, do you know who it was that did this? I've never seen pics and I can't find it on search. I swear I thought this was fairly recent, but .... HEAVY: Yea, that's an understatement. I've had 4-5 cars back into me. Girl in a Neon pulled out in front of me in the snow and I crushed the back end up to the rear seat. Numerous impacts with rocks and mountains on the trail. None of the auto hits resulted in anything but $$ at the car wash to hose off pieces of their cars. If you're not going to run the winch, you can get away with the stock torsion bars on the Gen 1s. For a while - probably for several years at least depending on mileage. My little black Sport is still sitting on OEM torsion bars and has been for 3-4 years now. BUT, I barely put 2-3K miles on it a year and don't wheel it. I'm not sure on the Gen 2s. I haven't found anything that says the Gen 2 torsion bars are a different rate. My '03 Limited makes me wonder, though. That thing is super squishy and has always been that way. WAY softer than the Gen 1s. In fact softer than any Sport I've ever been in. Yet, according to all the techs, that's perfectly normal. IMHO, there would have to be some difference in rate there, but maybe its just the extra weight of the engine evening out the tightened torsion bars. What would be interesting would be knowledge of whether the 3.0L & 3.5L torsion bars are the same rate or if the 3.5L bars are just tightened up a bit more. The 3.5L is definitely heavier than the 3.0L. I had to replace my Ford 1/2 ton coils - which worked peachy for more than a decade - with heavier SkyJackers when I put the 3.5L in. Dang thing sunk like 1.5". Anyway, it'd be a lot cheaper to pick up a set of 3.5L bars from the salvage yard if that's so. My off the cuff calculations put the extra weight of a 3.5L at about the same or a bit more than an ARB. For grins: Warn XD9000: 78lbs Warn 9.5XP: 87lbs ARB Bull Bar (PN 3435010): 100-120lbs (apx) The 9.5XP does NOT fit without modifications to the bumper support. I have one in my little '97 but I didn't install it and don't know what the shop hacked to get it to fit ('cause they wouldn't tell me) but they DID have to cut metal off. Edward
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Post by ES_97Sport on Aug 11, 2015 13:47:18 GMT -5
Didn't know about the reinforcing oart. Definitely another thing to save up for b4 buying it. Gen washer tanks also have to be changed/moved? And agree costomizing the grill would definitely be a better option. TY guys for the info. Wish I had other Sports around me to compare stuff to. re: washer tank. I think you can put the Gen 1 washer tank back where it was originally (in front of the battery on the engine bay side of the radiator support). You'd need to do some wiring and re-run the hoses but on my '03 there's nothing there - they didn't use the space for anything else. Yea, the grill is plastic. If you're very careful it shouldn't be too hard. re: reinforcement. Good God, yea! One of the old members years ago pulled his bumper off trying to get someone out of a mud hole. Post is probably still on the Wire. Tore the crap out of the fenders. I ALMOST had it happen to me. We were coming off Holy Cross in CO and airing up at the bottom when I noticed my bumper was hanging a little off kilter. Grabbed the top bar and gave it a yank to see if something was loose. Looked like a couple bolts so I drove back home. Next morning I started looking at it and couldn't find any lose bolts but something was obviously loose. Gave it another good yank and the thing came off in my hands. Thankfully I was in the right spot and had an extra pair of hands available. While I was trying to hold up a 200lb bumper and winch, I had the help pull the winch cable out and flip it over a tree branch, pull it back down and clip it to the bar and then spool the winch up a little to hold the bumper up. Tore the plates that the winch mounts to right off the frame. The only thing holding it on was the bottom bolt on each side. Had that come loose on the highway, it would have swung down right into the front tires - after tearing the front end all to hell of course. Yes, I've brought this to ARB attention. No they won't mention it. They won't even acknowledge there's a problem. But, yes, absolutely under no conditions EVER put an ARB on a Sport without reinforcing the mounts. If that bumper comes down on the highway you'd never survive. I like ARB products, but I'm less than thrilled with their people. Let me know if/what pics you need. I've got front end pics of my '97, '99 and '03. I'll post them if you want. Edward
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Post by ES_97Sport on Aug 11, 2015 17:34:45 GMT -5
ARB bull bar, '97-'99 Montero Sport Impact Absorbers PN# 3751726L PN# 3751726R These are the foam rubber 'bumpers' on the front. Eventually they get torn so I thought these might be useful some day to someone. Edward
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Post by pinstryper on Nov 21, 2015 23:53:28 GMT -5
Pictures of the extra support and or then mounts please. And gues as to weight?
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Post by ES_97Sport on Nov 23, 2015 18:23:25 GMT -5
Pictures of the extra support and or then mounts please. And gues as to weight? Still looking for the pics. About 100 lbs. w/o winch. Edward
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