I was seriously contemplating an ARB Sahara Bar for my '01 4runner after my tax return. I just had a few questions about it and it's installtion before I do ahead and order one.

1- I have heard these are not made for 4runner's but rather the Prado, a similar truck. I have an '01 with the beefy fender flares, and I was wondering which lengt I would need to make it even, and if the Bar was a straight bolt on, or if it would need to be modded since it is meant for another truck?

2- I have 2 1/2" daystar spacers up front over stock springs. Would this be enought to stop the front end from sagging with the bar and a winch that I might mount later, or would I have to go with heavier springs or coilovers?

3- What is the cheapest I can pick up the Sahara Bar for? I am just looking now, but the cheapest seems to be around 930 or so.

As usual, I did a search and I appreciate your help as always. Thanks,

 

1. it's made for the prado. it's about 3/4" wider on each side than the fat flares - it's a good fit. it's an almost straight bolt on. you have to modify the brackets on the end of your frame rails to mount it. it's easy to do. http://www.wecool.net/home/default.htm then click on "armor" on the left menu and you'll have good installation pics.

2. the bar itself won't be much over stock- really. add a winch, and you'll need stiffer coils up front.

3. cheapest i've seen is about $1050 shipped. just search around and on ebay and go from there.

 

Awesome, I saw the installation pictures on Bratik's site(I think thats his username on here, sorry for a misspell) That's what had me kinda worried. The pics before the install look like there was quite a gap betqeen there and the bumper. I do eventually want a winch, but the front suspension had me a little worried. Thanks for the info!

 

look at some of the pics on my site. there should be some "close ups" in there somewhere that give you an idea of what it looks like when it's lined up and the gap fillers are installed...

 

Cool, I saw those, the only pic I can actually see of him modding the bumper to fit looks like the one wehere he is grinding something down. Would it be as simple as just grinding one of the brackets back, and re-drilling it? Also if I was ever to go back and re-use my stock bumper, would that be possible after mddoing. And lastly, If you don't want a winch in the front, is it possible to put a liscense plate there? In NJ the law requires liscense plates on the front and back of all cars. Thanks soooo much for the info, I really appreciate it,

 

1. you have to cut the top and bottom sections off the bracket. bad news is that they MUST be cut for it to mount. that's all you have to do though. good news is that the bracket plates are about $20 from the dealer. if you go to stock, you just get new plates, cut what's left of the old ones off and weld new ones on.

2. the sahara bar has tag mounting tabs at the winch opening. you can also use some D-Cell mag light clips on the plate and clip it to the rollers of a fairlead if you add a winch later - or get a spring-loaded hinge for the plate - either one works.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info, it is a little hard to see in the photos on the page, but I am sure when I get it, I'll be able to figure it out. Also, if any vendors on here could shoot me a price quote. I am getting fairly close to ordering it. I know I got a couple of PMs before, but I no longer have them. Thanks again,

 

The ARB looks awesome but have you seen Jonathon's TJM-17 w/ the modified hoops. This may be a more economical way to go w/ a similar look.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/modified-tjm-t-15-finally-78724/

 

yeah, I saw that, pretty sweet, the TJM bumpers just look a little too bland for my tatses, I like the bling of the Sahara Bumper, plus it looks totally factory when paint matched. I know the TJMs are a lot cheaper, but the Sahara bar was my first choice, I think it is one of the best looking bars out there. I do like his t17 though, looks nice, I would like it better without any side hoops at all. But, I think I'm gonna have to go with my 1st choice, the Sahara bar.

 

I got my first one thru http://www.4x4rockshop.com/scripts/p...idCategory=221 cause he was local. That was actually a mistake cause I had to pay taxes, and even though he price matched an out of state internet ad, he moaned and groaned about it. Since you're out of state, I'd recommend him, but DON'T buy from anyone in-state. My second (and current) sahara bar came direct from ARB through a connection there. I can't list the price here, but I did get it for less than dealer cost.

also, check with Strap22 (phil at http://www.trdparts4u.com) on here - he is an authorized ARB dealer.

the easiest thing to do is to look at google and yahoo for the best prices.

http://www.4by4connection.com/arbwinsahbar.html
https://www.expeditionexchange.com/a...n.shtml#toyota
etc...

 

cool, I checked with Phil, now trdparts4u.com, he had a pretty good price on them, when I do order it, I think I'm gonna go with him. If you dont mind me asking, why did you buy 2? accident or something? and could you get me a hook up on one from ARB(just joking) hahahaha. Thanks for the info, really great, and I appreciate it. Thanks
By the way, I see they have your truck as a sample pic on the site, nice

 

I am sorry to highjack this thread, but is the Sahara Bar airbag safe/approved. I was also looking into this bar, and the last thing I want is for my airbags not to work when I need them.

 

the air bag sensors are actually under the frame rails. They are deaccelerometers. So, any bumpr will still allow the air bags to work. The main problem is that most bumpers dont have crumple zones to absorb the impact of a collsion, therefore the airbags deploy, but the vehicle slows down too quick, and the impact feels harder. The ARB has crumple zones, which absorb the impact better than most, but I am not sure if it is as good as stock, because these bumpers are meant to stand up better to low speed collsions than stock.

 

yup on the crumple zones. they're much stiffer than OEM, but better than non-SRS compliant bumpers.

i had an accident that mangled the first one. got the replacement thru them direct.

 

I see. On the ARB model listing for the '98 4Runner, it has all their bumpers listed, but only one of them is "airbag approved", and it's not the Sahara Bar.

Just to clarify, what do you mean on the crumple zones? Thanks so much bemachem ('cuz I wanna get this bumper)!

 

I believe the crumple zones are on the mounting brackets, and possibly in the bumper too. I posted the pic below to show what the bracket looks like. Pretty much if you hit something with the bumper hard enough, it will deform, and crumple to absorb the impact of the collision. More comfortable and safe for the driver and occupants. By the way, I am not overly concerned about the safety of the bumpers, IMO the Sahara Bar has the nicest look to it, looks very factory when paint matched. The TJMs are nice, but a little to utilitarian for my style.

 

I am glad they thought about the crumple zones, and also about the fact that the airbags most likely function fine. When you have a big enough impact to crush the crumple zone, it should trip the airbag sensor.

Thanks for the answers guys

 

the problem w/ aftermarket bumpers is that they don't absorb enough energy from a hard impact and could potentially set off the airbags prematurely.

lucky me, i had the first accident w/ a sahara bar on a 4runner in the US - or any sahara bar for that matter - and although it was a pretty good impact, the airbags didn't deploy. they weren't needed in that situation, and the crumple zones on the brackets did their job and the sides of the bumper also deformed to absorb some of the energy. the winch box was intact and i have that winch on my new bar now.

 

Ok, a few more quick questions. Does anyone know what lights the Sahara Bar comes with? I know it does not come with the large top mounted fogs, but do you get the integrated fogs and the integratd turn signal? I noticed most people have IPF integrated fogs, which I'm guessing cost extra. Also, what size lights look best on the Sahara Bar, I think my PIAAs might look a little small. Thanks again,

 

the blinkers come w/ it along w/ some black plastic blanks for the fog light holes.

the fog lights are the ones IN the bumper, and they are IPF 924's. they're about a $275 add to the price of the bumper

the one's that i have up top are IPF 900 MSR driving lights -- 130W each. they're another $275 a pair...