TX airbag bullbar fit GXL non-airbag?

[BenFitz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BenFitz]

G'day
After six months of research I have finally purchased a 90s manual diesel. What a fantastic piece of engineering, practicallity, strength, comfort, and power the vehicle is. Its in such good nic for 2001, a credit to the previous owner (good on ya Jamie).

Im chasing a second hand bull bar. Ive found a genuine toyota alloy bar that was on a 2001 TX with dual airbags and Im trying to ascertain whether or not that bar will fit my 2001 GXL which has no airbags. The bar is approx 700-800 km away so a little drive to go and have a look is out of the question.

Looking throught the bowels of Pradopoint I have come across a thread or 2 on the issue with airbag/non airbag bars but still remain unsure of my particular scenario with the 90s.

Has anyone put a 90s airbag bar on a 90s GXL?

Thanks,Cheers
Futz

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

You can put an airbag compatable bullbar on a non airbag equiped vehicle, but you can not put a non airbag compatable bullbar on an airbag equiped vehicle. This is the law, and applies for any vehicle.

[BenFitz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BenFitz]

You can put an airbag compatable bullbar on a non airbag equiped vehicle, but you can not put a non airbag compatable bullbar on an airbag equiped vehicle. This is the law, and applies for any vehicle.

Thanks crooza, my only issue is whether or not the mounting points are the same. I have called Toyota, the TX and GXL bars are a different part number so ther must be some difference, but I cant find anyone that has actually fit a TX bar onto a GXL. From the photos of the second hand bar, the lower mount holes look like they will fit onto the same holes that the lower bumperbar brackets bolt on to. The higher bolt holes on the TX bar seem the mystery to me with no apparent mounting holes visible on my vehicle (based on my visual inspection).

Only one way to find out... Ill let you know if I buy it and fit it.

Thanks again

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

Thanks crooza, my only issue is whether or not the mounting points are the same. I have called Toyota, the TX and GXL bars are a different part number so ther must be some difference, but I cant find anyone that has actually fit a TX bar onto a GXL. From the photos of the second hand bar, the lower mount holes look like they will fit onto the same holes that the lower bumperbar brackets bolt on to. The higher bolt holes on the TX bar seem the mystery to me with no apparent mounting holes visible on my vehicle (based on my visual inspection).


Thanks again

The bar is the same, the mounts are different, BUT will still fit. The reason why the mounts are different is because of the airbags, so dont worry too much about the mounts, just fit them as is and you should be a happy chappy!.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Shame I never took any pics but under the front of my 97 grande which had airbags where the bullbar mounts up there is one either side write on the tip of the chassis rails like a pointed type of metal point I suppose you could call it ?? anyway in the middle of these is a bolt I had to remove these (one either side) and this is then where the bullbar mounted. When I fitted the bullbar to my 01 grande also with airbags I didnt have to remove these bits. Now I have no idea why or what the differnece was as both bars were ARB steel winch bars, one was what they called standard ( I think ??) the other was there sahara bar which is what I had on the 97 model. I think the difference will be the actual brackets holding the bar to the chassis rails as they have I think there called (crush cans ??) there like a massive bracket witch look like a grain wave (looks like a chip you eat lol) these are for the airbag. This would be the only difference I would imagine ?? The bar itself as croozza has said will fit its just the brackets that will differ between a non airbag vehicle and one with BUT I reckon will still fit. Maybe give ARB a ring and just ask the question, is the bullbar the same OR is it just the brackets..Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Ok just rang 2 ARB stores got the same answer. The bullbar designed for a 90 series with airbags when fitted to a 90 series without airbags will protrude further out the front of the vehicle. In other words it will sit further out from the grille. He said it looks a bit dicky as its out further from the flares as well, nothing looks like its lined up properly. I asked him is this just a bracket issue and he said no, the bar is actually different at the mounting points, 2 different part numbers for the same looking bar, one for airbag/s, one suited without them...So if it was me I would be saying no it wont fit properly and is going to look a bit stupid so maybe hang off till you find another one...........Your answer is YES it will fit but will look stupid, up to you...Cheers Steve

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

Shame I never took any pics but under the front of my 97 grande which had airbags where the bullbar mounts up there is one either side write on the tip of the chassis rails like a pointed type of metal point I suppose you could call it ?? anyway in the middle of these is a bolt I had to remove these (one either side) and this is then where the bullbar mounted. When I fitted the bullbar to my 01 grande also with airbags I didnt have to remove these bits. Now I have no idea why or what the differnece was as both bars were ARB steel winch bars, one was what they called standard ( I think ??) the other was there sahara bar which is what I had on the 97 model. I think the difference will be the actual brackets holding the bar to the chassis rails as they have I think there called (crush cans ??) there like a massive bracket witch look like a grain wave (looks like a chip you eat lol) these are for the airbag. This would be the only difference I would imagine ?? The bar itself as croozza has said will fit its just the brackets that will differ between a non airbag vehicle and one with BUT I reckon will still fit. Maybe give ARB a ring and just ask the question, is the bullbar the same OR is it just the brackets..Cheers Steve

If i remember correctly ARB didn't do an airbag complied bullbar for the 90s unless the sahara bar was released later on in the model cycle to be complying, which is why i fitted a TJM bar to my 90s as their type15??was airbag complying. I would think either typue bar will bolt up though.
I still have the old bumper bar and all the bits i removed up behind the shed, i think i should toss then now., along with a home made rear storage rack/fridge compartment less slider,
Russ

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

This before and after. This was the 97 grande with duel airbags I had......

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

This was the 01 grande turbo diesel with duel airbags

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

You probably right Russ as I didnt buy either of the prados new so by the time I bought them obviously ARB had come up with some. The 97 prado I didnt buy till about 06 for memory and the 01 grande was about late 08 early 09........Got the 120 now...Cheers Steve

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

[QUOTE=Steve M;338079]You probably right Russ as I didnt buy either of the prados new so by the time I bought them obviously ARB had come up with some. The 97 prado I didnt buy till about 06 for memory and the 01 grande was about late 08 early 09........Got the 120 now...

Steve
My memory tells me that ARB bars wheren't airbag compatable ,as my RV6 had the airbags, and i waited and waited untill ARB released one but they never did so in jan 2001 i finally fitted a TJM type 15 winch bar [i think,] [ similar in style to the arb sahara bar] as this bar was released to suit airbags and i liked the style, and delayed heading to inlaws on sunshine coast [much to the annoyance to wife] so it could be fitted. Maybe ARB changed this post 2001 but i doubt it. You will see them fitted including in a catolouge once but they may not comply. Someone wiser than me may be able to confirm this though.
Russ

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Going by the what the salesman told me today they definately made one to suit, and I doubt there is any chance of them selling a bullbar to some one with airbags but fit a non compliant bar.. Both my bars also had stickers on them indicating they were air bag compatible. Wether they were made by ARB ?? who knows but definately had their sticker on them as you can see in the picture on the gold one and was given the original receipts when I bought the bars........Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Never had to worry about airbags and crap with my old girl, just had to worry about wether you would make it up the next hill with the all so ever powerful 2.8D hilux NOT lol.......cheers Steve

[BenFitz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close BenFitz]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Steve are you talking about ARB bars or the genuine Toyota bar. The second hand bar im looking at is a genuine toyota alloy bar. When you had the conversation with ARB were you discussing ARB bars or the genuine Toyota?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Sorry BenFitz I was referring to ARB bars. Hey if you can get me the part number off the original bar PM it to me and I will ring my mate tomorrow at toyota and see if he can shed any light on the subject. I will ring him anyway and see what he says but more then likely he will want a part number, maybe not ??. I dont think they made too many genuine alloy bars for the 90's. See how we go !! Cheers Steve