95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Sahara Bar Woes

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Old Jun 28, 2004 | 09:12 PM
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Sahara Bar Woes

Well..Now that it's finally installed, and I've driven it a bit.. I don't think I like it sticking way out there. Inclines that were no problem for my stock bumper now drag on the Sahara!! Grr!! I guess the only option is to have new brackets fabbed up, and to cut the "wings" shorter..then re-paint.

Bamachem(sp): You notice this too?
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Old Jun 28, 2004 | 10:38 PM
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Precisely why I went with the TJM.
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 04:03 AM
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No, I don't have any problem. I actually have MORE clearance. However, I went from the fat-lip 99 bumper with a brush guard to the Sahara Bar, so you really can't compare. You also have a gap, remember? If you get the brackets fixed to reduce the gap, that will give you MUCH better approach angle. I'd try that first BEFORE you go cutting on the sides and try to tuck it in closer to your grill. You may also need some adjustment farther back. I shoved mine as far back as it would go on the brackets and it lines up perfectly with my Limited flares. That means that you'd have about a 1/2" overhang (without flares), but it wouldn't be seen when you get bushwackers or OEM fat flares...

Post some close up pics of the front (from the side) and of the side showing how you have it aligned and I'll tell you if you're off at all...

If you want to see how my approach angle increased, compare the before and after here. I drew a lint between my two front tires where they meet the pavement, then drew a line up to the bottom-center of the bumper to show the approximate approach angle...

Oh, and there was a 1" difference in lift height, so I dropped the first line about 1" below the bottom of the tires...



Last edited by bamachem; Jun 29, 2004 at 04:32 AM.
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 08:29 AM
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Bam: How far does it hang over into your fenderwells? It seems like the ends are way to long and if I go further, I'll have issues. Whadda think?

I'll snap some pics after I give it a round of adjustment.

Last edited by User 051420; Jun 29, 2004 at 12:48 PM.
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 10:01 AM
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It lines up perfectly with the limited flares, but the limited flares have about a 1/2" lip on them from what i understand, so for you, it's a 1/2" long. That shouldn't matter much on approach angle. Your problem is the gap. As far as approach angle is concerned, 1/2" back would be about the same as 1/2" up. With that in mind 2" up would give you the same as almost 2" back. See what I mean? The 2" gap is a MUCH larger problem than thte 1/2" back adjustment.
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 12:42 PM
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Well well well....
I fooled around behind the bumper today..I THINK I got it almost good.





Here is how my bracket is adjusted: (note it's still adjusted down, see below)




It could go UP AND IN more if I were to grind this piece a little bit: (see lower RIGHT where bracket rubs bumper. I could trim that I think)




Whaddya think?

Last edited by User 051420; Jun 29, 2004 at 12:45 PM.
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 12:46 PM
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Do it. that should give you another 1/2" or so and you'd be set. It looks MUCH better already...
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by bamachem
Do it. that should give you another 1/2" or so and you'd be set. It looks MUCH better already...
Ok. I'll take it apart one day this week, grind the corner off of that bracket, paint to stop rust, reassemble, and adjust. Seems like that should put me right about perfect. I suppose I also could notch out the adjustment sqaures a little bit at the bottom..but wouldn't that reduce strength?
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 01:00 PM
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It won't drastically reduce it as long as you were VERY conservative with the notches. You may not have to take it off to do the bracket, but to do the holes, you will. Since your'e messing with it, just do the bracket about a 1/2" and the holes about a 1/4" and you should be fine.

Now, change your avitar to one with the bumper AliGnEd...
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 01:17 PM
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Will do..I'll post back when I finish.

Avatar better?!
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 01:24 PM
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Talking Looks

It looks much better since you messed with it, the avatar and the bumper. Andy's fit so well because of my custom fab work!

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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 01:32 PM
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custon fab work??? lol you mean how you groudn the flanges off my frame rails? the last install was by me - by myself... lol
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 01:53 PM
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It looks like ˟˟˟˟ ... just trade me for my TJM ... you pay shipping both ways ... you can thank me later
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Old Jun 29, 2004 | 06:53 PM
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Originally Posted by sdastg1
It looks like ˟˟˟˟ ... just trade me for my TJM ... you pay shipping both ways ... you can thank me later
Sounds like a good deal to me... I guess I'll have to paint mine black before I ship it though.
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