Ok guys, so it was time to put my BullBar on. Its a Westin Ultimate Bull Bar for the 96-02 Tacomas. I got it figuring there would be no difference, but I was wrong. The install brackets were about 2-3" too short. So, here is what I did to get it to fit. It looks ghetto, but I needed to get it to fit, and measure it, so that Westinm could make a prototype for a possible new fit kit (It would fit 96-02 4Runners too!!) So, here is what I did.

The actual brackets install where your tow hooks are. I used mine still, but they aren't there for anything more than a spacer. I put the bracket ontop of the tow hook, then bolted it up to the frame....

After those where in, I took the 4.5" x 1/2" bolts, and put them through the holes, and through the steel pipe that I bought from Home Depot in the pipe section. It comes 2" around by 3" long. It fits perfectly!!

Now, tighten the bracket to bull bar bolts, readjust the bracket to frame bolts, and tighten those up too. And, you're done.

Now, it is solid as ever, I can put my 200lbs on it, and it doesn't move a bit. I also wired up a set of PIAA 510's, which look pretty good, IMO....(Thats my Escort 8500 hardwired in...custom huh?)

Well, here is the finished product:



I am in the process of working with Westin to get a BullBar made specifically for our 3rd gens. They look sweet, and work perfectly with our bumper (Height and contour)...so we'll see how that goes. Feel free to PM me with any questions....
Brett

 

That looks pretty good. Its nice since the chrome kinda blends right in with the colour of the runner. Ive been looking for something like this. Mind if I ask how much?

 

Looks Good, nice PIAAs -they look like mine

 

I have no clue what it retails for, probably around $300??

 

Looks great bro... So you contacted Westin about a possible new mount?

 

Yep, I am their Rocky Mountain Region Sales Rep, so I just talked with the head of the fitment department, and am making an email to send to him with exact measurements. Pretty soon our trucks are going to look pretty similar!! I just traded my wheels for the Procomp 1069's...hehehe.

 

I have been waiting for just a bar. Was going to buy the Westin bar for the Taco and just fab up the brackets to make it work. Gald to see that Westin will save me the trouble. Great job.

 

sweet... I'm actually in the process of painting my safari bar to match the color of my sliders...

When you get the 1069's, remove the running boards because it will look kind of weird...

 

10-4...

 

Added to the site and in stock!

96-98 bar

99-02 bar

 

Someone at Weston needs to wake up! Hello... they can't get a bar done for the 4th Gen yet. Only been out for Three years????

 

nice i have my passport hardwired in the same spot, just not as good as yours. mind telling me how you got it to sit flush??

 

?? ??

 

Wow, love the bull bar on the sport. I was looking for one like this for quite a while but could never find one. I might look into doing this as well, unless they decide to make one that bolts on from factory.

 

that passport hardwire is badass.. i have never even seen anything like that.. i have to mute mine at the unit.. i gotta get one of those

 

i have the hardwire kit like that for my escort, i would love to know how you got it to look like that

 

if i didnt know better, i would say he took the smartcord apart and just used the top part to have as the interface and wired the rest into the power cord??

 

looky what i found: http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec102.shtml

very clean, very nice

 

im a genius

 

i really want to do that, i will some time in the next two weeks, i wonder what he did to mount it to the back of that toyota plate so it doesnt fall off when he pushes the button