fitting ironman protector bullbar to RX

Picked up this new bullbar at a very nice price brandnew. I have a 6mth old RX Thai built.

Can anyone advise any particular issues in fitting this?

ARB won't fit it and TJM said they'd do at an hourly rate only (haven't tried Melbourne yet for prices before attempting myself). Don't know why TJM would charge hourly rate other than to penalise me for not buying their gear? There shouldn't be much difference from one bar to another I would have thought? the guy reckoned approx $500plus. They can get rooted!

Looks as though indicators need to be soldered/wired in but fog lamps look to have connections.

Any particular hints on cutting plastic bumper and or what has to be cut/taken off and the order that things go back on?

Seriously mate why wouldn't ARB or TJM charge you an hourly rate to fit a bullbar you brought elsewhere. If someone is stupid enough to buy a computer from Hardly Normal then they bring it to me because it doesn't work properly I charge an hourly rate to fix it. Most business charge hourly rates for everything they do, some will install for free when you buy from them but not many will install for free when you buy elsewhere.

Although I wont deal with Ironman again I do know people who have and they've never had problems getting fitting instruction from Ironman by sending them an email (address is on the website) and requesting exactly what they need. Ironman would possible also be the best ones to fit it for you if you aren't that confident to do it yourself but my guess is they will still charge you, even if it's a set fee it will have a hourly rate covered in that fee.

Thanks for the info, appreciate it. I'll E-mail them tomorrow and see what response I get.

I still think an hourly rate is highway robbery though. Particularly when they have guys specialising in it, there aren't that many makes of bullbars, there wouldn't be that much difference between them all. Certainly would expect to pay 2-3 hundred, but beyond that I can't logically see what's so difficult for an expert to fit!

I have no idea what it costs to get a bar installed and no idea what sort of price a qualified fitter works for but $500 is less than 4 hours work for some of us depending on the hats we wear so I'm not overly surprised by the cost.

If your in Melbourne or going to Melbourne Ironman are on Centre and Westall Rds Springvale and they will possibly help you face to face if you don't get the response you want from email.

Its probably just because the TJM guys don't know the Ironman products, and what problems may arise.

Is the bar definately for a thai built?

I believe there is something like a 24 page instruction booklet that comes with the ironman front bar - there IS a lot of work to fit one, and i am also not suprised by the $500 estimate to fit it.

There is a lot of hassle fitting one of those bars, and the $500 might seem really worth the money once you start and find the going is getting tuff.

Thanks for the responses. Just logged in again this morning. The bar should be for a Thai built. I asked my friend to ensure he knew that when ordering it so I'm assuming thats the case. Unfortunately I can't see anything on the bar itself that specifically states one way or the other.

I'll E-mail Ironman this morning and see what response I get. If I get the manual I'll read through it and make a call from there. My dad's very handy with wiring/electrical type things so I'll get him to cast his eye over it as well.

Fair enough in regards to fitting difficulties and costs as you say. I'm only supositioning here.

Thanks Folks.

WoodyD40 said:

I believe there is something like a 24 page instruction booklet that comes with the ironman front bar - there IS a lot of work to fit one, and i am also not suprised by the $500 estimate to fit it.

There is a lot of hassle fitting one of those bars, and the $500 might seem really worth the money once you start and find the going is getting tuff.

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I wouldn't install one for less, It's a prick of a job.

Ironman E-mailed me the instructions which include templates for cutting side parts of bumber, including some pictures about how they install brackets underneath. No info re-wiring though. The guy I spoke to was very helpfull actually.

I rang dealer outlet near me and they'll install for $250-260.

Might be the way to go I think.

Hey mate - I just fitted the new deluxe version of the commercial bar. Its basically the same as the winch compatible commercial bar, with the fog lights aswell. A hybrid between the protector and the commercial. I didn't need to do a bumper cut - as I was replacing a non winch ARB bar - but it took most of the wk end to get everything fitted and looking straight. Mine took a bit longer due to fitting the winch aswell, but everything takes time as there is very little tolerance.

My tip is - only tighten bolts when you have to. More often than not I was undoing bolts I had just tightened to fit (yet another) bolt in. You may also need to drill some holes into your chassis rails (mine already drilled) and cut some metal dowel/tubes.

Fogs are easy - just cut off OEM Nav fittings and replace with spades. Indicators are not yet finished - but 4 wires come off the bar - that need to turn into 3 for the Nav. I think you just need to combine the earths - again, chuck on some spades.

Really happy with the bar though - and doesn't move a mm now all tightened up (for hopefully the last time!)

Go the $250-$260. One little mistake (take it from someone that made a "Little" mistake cutting the bumper) & your cost will be a lot more.