Fitting ARB bullbar

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

I have got my new bullbar on order and it should be here in Hobart by next weekend.

Its a winch bar and my question is has anyone fitted one of these themselves? :?

Not sure how hard it will be?
Should i get someone else to do it? Or is something a few mates could do on a weekend? I think I can hold of an engine lift to assist in holding it up.

Anyone done it?

[Damien Parker Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Damien Parker]

Well they come with all the instructions you need to fit the bar so i would say as long as you have a few mates that dont mind helping out with the grunt work and some semi decent tools, with a decent torque wrench amongst that you will be fine.

Think of it like a big mechano set and that should get you in the right mind set.

Tip No 1: Make sure you keep any parts you need from the original bar together in a zip lock bag or old jam jar for future reference, and be sure to file the instructions away for the same as you may have to remove the bar one day and they will be handy to have around.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Good to know it comes with some destructions!

I think we will attempt it, a few frosty adult beverages, and a couple of mates sounds like a fun afternoon! :lol:

It will have to come off again at some time to fit a winch so doing it ourselves the first time will be an advantage.

Is there any drilling or is all just bolt on? I guess there is some wiring to do as well for the indicators? I have seen them use scotch locks for this before and I am not a fan. Will be soldering mine :wink:

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Your right about the scotch locks.
They work fine for about 4 months.

As for fitting the winch later, You shouldnt need to remove the bar.
Depending on the winch you get.
Mine is a 12000lbs model from ebay, same as repco etc. Just removed the samall bracket infront of the aircon radiator, Cant remember what its for, and lowered the wich in the gap between the bar and the radiator.
Replaced the bracket and presto, winch in. Alot easier than dropping the bar off. just had to drill 2 holes in the fairlead roller bracket and get slightly longer 3/8 bolts HT.
JeffS

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Thanks Jeff, its good to find these things well in advance!

Have not done any research into winchs yet. Used to have an 8000lb high mount on a 40 series cruiser. but that was a long time ago....

I guess there is a lot more to choose from now. :shock:

Will have to run that one past SWMBO before purchase.
:P

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Hi Strahan

Just for info mate, you will not need to remove the bar to fit a winch. I have fitted a Premier 9000lb winch and the only bit I had to remove and refit was the front bash plate (about six bolts from memory). The winch will go straight up from underneath and all I had to do was lift it in and rotate it 90 degrees to allow the clutch mechanism to clear the air con pipe and then you need someone to put the first bolts in while you hold the winch in place. You will need to do a slight modification to the fairlead though as the bolt holes will not line up in the dedicated spot (ARB are aware of this and put out an instruction for the Warn fairlead, which is almost identical to the Premier).

Best of luck with the fitment and make sure you have around 20mm gap between the guards and the bar to allow for body movement :wink:

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Just adding to the comment by Jeff S, I couldn't get enough clearance to drop the Premier in through the top.

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Thanks guys, are all of the winchs that fit roughly the same dimensions? And are the clutch controls in the same place?

I guess what i'm asking is; are they a copy of each other,and do they all fit equally as well?

What brands to people reccomend? I know of the repco and warn, of course but there seems to be quite a few new ones about.

I will do a search and have a look at the other threads.