Pushbar and side bar options

[Ben Staad]

So you will providing first hand knowledge then?

It better fit i just ordered one lol

[06Suparu]

They only had the chrome ones so i will put it on my sons baja lol

[Ben Staad]

Yea. I saw there was only chrome. I was trying to see if there is a spray on product that would stick to it in textured or matte black.

They only had the chrome ones so i will put it on my sons baja lol

[06Suparu]

Its my own fault. I just couldnt decide if i wanted to try it and when i finally did the black ones were gone

[Ben Staad]

Well ordered, what Amazon was saying, as their last one in stock. Silver wasn't really what I wanted but if it fits I will take it.

[Leon in PA]

Its my own fault. I just couldnt decide if i wanted to try it and when i finally did the black ones were gone

I have no idea if this will work, but I saw it on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/TAC-2005-2015-To ... ota+Tacoma

[dease42]

Well folks, it works!

Not a bad install.. (and apparently I got lucky with a black one). Line up the bracket using the open not-hole on the bumper and mark where the existing 14mm bolt is, then drill a hole in the bracket. I clamped the brackets together and drilled once to ensure the same location both sides. Then it's just a matter of fitting it together and tightening it all down. Since it's not a direct bolt on, there's a little give in the final placement.. even grunt-tight, but nothing more than a few centimeters.

The bar is nicely made (same Amazon link as above), not the thickest metal, but not bad for the price.

With the angle of the brackets, and the construction materials, I would call this more of an aesthetic mod than a true bull bar, I wouldn't use it to push much more than light brush. But, the brackets are sturdy, and I don't believe it would be fold back into the radiator without a fight.

I believe there's a possibility to use both existing bolts on the bumper, and have it straight out from the frame but you'd need to cut the bumper cover. I also think there's a real opportunity to use the sides of the brackets for a custom skid plate.. but that's for another day.

All in all, for the options available to us, this was a great find. Thanks for the info!!

Finished Product


It looks like the foglight cable is threaded through the hole.. it's not. This is with the new hole already drilled and in place.


from the other side


Hole Drilled


All bolted up. You can see the slightly downward angle on the brackets. Not the strongest setup..


Closeup of the bolts. Had to scavenge a couple of my own.


Side shots. I have a 1" lift on the car.

[06Suparu]

I installed mine also lol. My brackets look about the same but not where it attaches to the bar. I drilled 2 holes in the brackets to make a straighter angle.

[06Suparu]

This is how i attached mine. The big bolt on the top of the side bracket was part of the kit and i drilled through the frame for a good solid mount.

[dease42]

Very cool!!

Originally I had assumed the hole would be through the frame, and was very happy to only have to drill the bracket.. but yeah, that looks way stronger.

Nicely done!

[Ben Staad]

Thanks for the replies and congrats! They both look great.

This will do for now and I'm pumped it looks fairly easy to install. Hopefully in the near future someone will come up with a beefier bar and set-up.

[06Suparu]

Update: I did a little "clearancing" on the bottom of the bracket LOL. I forgot it was on there and pulled up to a curb to park. CRUNCH. It seems that its just a bit farther forward and lower than what it had on before. Just a little black paint missing on 1 edge.

[Ben Staad]

Murphy's Law struck again.

Sorry to hear that. But to be truthful I've damaged most of mine at some point in time.

Glad is wasn't worse.

Update: I did a little "clearancing" on the bottom of the bracket LOL. I forgot it was on there and pulled up to a curb to park. CRUNCH. It seems that its just a bit farther forward and lower than what it had on before. Just a little black paint missing on 1 edge.

[06Suparu]

Yeah im not to worried..its going to see so much worse LOL

[Ben Staad]

Mine is on and about five minutes later I cleared some pavement! LOL LOL

Weird little transition between road and parking lot got me.

It certainly sits lower. Think I will need to either get rid of the bar or see about raising the Baja up 1 or 2"s.

Update: I did a little "clearancing" on the bottom of the bracket LOL. I forgot it was on there and pulled up to a curb to park. CRUNCH. It seems that its just a bit farther forward and lower than what it had on before. Just a little black paint missing on 1 edge.