Shouldn't the ARB tacoma bullbar/bumper have attachment points for shackles? Here are some pics of the used one I bought (not the best pics for this subject, but they were already on photobucket....). Can anyone tell me where they should be, as I don't see any?

FYI, the seller posted a pic of the ARB on his tacoma, and I can clearly see at least one shackle hanging off of the truck, more confusion. He and I have/had same year tacoma.



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Here' the pic from the auction-it sort of looks like the shackle is attached to the frame. I emailed the guy I got it from, but he's not to quick responding, so I thought I'd try you guys (and gals).


Sorry for so many pics.

 

Doesn't look like you have them.
If you check out WATRD's site:
http://www.watrd.com

The main picture there shows you exactly where they would be.

EDIT:
at least on the 01-04 versions.

 

I think I see them in your last picture.
Heres a reference for ya.
Thats my wife taking the wheel btw.

 

Hey, that looks familliar!!

Your shackle hangers have been cut/ground off..I noticed that when I picked it up.

 

Hey probably figured that the approach angle was better that way, I think the shackle on his truck is one of the bolt on types that goes where the stock tow hook attach.

 

Gee, would have been nice if he'd mentioned that in the auction or somewhere along the way...... Not that I don't appreciate improving approach angles and all

Anyone notice if the stock hangers tend to take a beating? I wonder if they were damaged so he just ditched them (as someone I spoke to recently mentioned that they aren't the strongest attachment points in the world)


Anyone (Intrepid) know where to score the kind that bolts to the tow hook location?

 

Hey Gapguy, do you still have Sams cell number? I kinda want to call and ask what happened (in a very friendly way) and ask what he did for a tow point. PM me with it if you can, I seem to have tossed it.

Ian

 

Improve approach angle?
He would hit the bottom of the bumper before hitting the shackle hangers.
I just checked mine. There would be only a 1/2inch clearance if you were to approach a ledge without the hangers and you would still hit an inch above the bottom of the bumper anyway.

 

Ian:
Check out the Sonoran site - their front shackle hangers go on the original tow points and look mighty cool.

Steve, I hope you don't mind me linking a picture


http://www.sonoransteel.com/

 

The dealer should stock those bolts. Did he include them in the huge bag of bolts with the bumper?

 

You can also find those bolts at a local hardware store. I forget what kind though...
I'm sure the dealer will charge you a premium.

 

FWIW, the dealer charged me $1.12 each for the 4 bumper bracket bolts.. I don't know if thats expensive or not..but it sure saved the headache of finding the correct bolt size.

 

i am pretty sure that these are not being made anymore but its worth looking into

 

Okay found the information from another thread. You'll want Metric grade 8.8 12mm x 1.25 pitch bolts. You can probably find them from Ace Hardware (that's where I got mine)

Gapguy
The local hardware store is actually much closer than the Toyota dealership

 

I don't personally have an ARB, I have a TJM so I was just venturing a geuss...
As far as those hangers, I think Amatoer is right, I don't think you can get them from him anymore. I am looking for some also so if you find someone who is making them let me know, I will do the same for you. Although at $150 plus shipping per pair and they don't come with the shackles I may have to pass if Sonoran does them still.

 

I got mine from him a bit less than a month ago. So as far as I know, he still makes them. Super quality. Super expensive.

 

MAKE YOUR OWN!

 

Schaefer still makes them, and they are worth it. Have you ever drilled 1" solid steel?

 

I just installed my new ARB and noticed the same thing. At some point, soon I hope, I plan on machining heavier hangers that will slip over the factory hangers and weld into place.

 

Mossy, I was referring to the ARB stock attachments actually, but the factory toyota ones ain't that beefy either. Of course as someone somewhere pointed out, you don't want your attach points stronger than what they are attaching to, ie better they break than distort the frame.

As far as schaefer, his hangers don't work on the earler Tacomas, such as mine (the frame ends for the first 2.5 years were a little different).