ARB Sahara Bar and the Gap between it and the body

[nicho Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close nicho]

Hi Guys

Just installed an ARB Sahara Bar on the Prado to give me more ramming power in traffic..
One question I had was if anyone had any neat solution to the gap between the body and the bar (25mm)

I.e is there any plastic, rubbery type thing to fill the gap and make it look a little neater?
(ARB Says No, so Im looking for a 3rd party type solution..or an easy fix that someone with 10 thumbs can handle)

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Nicho, the bar looks great! (I have one also). I haven't seen anything around on any ARB bar to fill this void which is there for a purpose. In one weeks time you won't even notice...

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

the gap is so when the body moves around the chassis, they don't clash, i think you'd find even with a soft rubber, damage may occur.

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...9-Prado-GXL-TD

It is door rubber for vehicles. Got from foam and rubber shop. Clarke rubber etc should have it.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

the best thing to do is paint the body work behind the bar just under the headlight black and it is a lot less noticeable.

[PradOz Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close PradOz]

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...9-Prado-GXL-TD

It is door rubber for vehicles. Got from foam and rubber shop. Clarke rubber etc should have it.

how did you fix/glue it to stay in shape?
(also after reading your "build up" have you done the 2 rear camera install yet? i would love to see where they are installed. i hope to have at least 1 installed in bumper in centre asap if i can work out how to remove rear bumper skin)

[Gingerbeer Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gingerbeer]

Read reply from Wooley above. If it was meant to have something there it would have come with it. I have sahara and it looks great. No one has ever mentioned the gap, but plenty of compliments.

[nicho Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close nicho]

Thanks for the replies guys.. I had a few other thoughts on what I can do in there as well that wont affect the clearance but yet close the gap
If successful i'll post, if unsuccessful then I'll run and hide and never make mention of this post again

P.s I'm more along the lines of if it doesn't exist then someone hasn't thought about it long enough!

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

the gap between the body and the bar (25mm)

What gap? Can't see one.

Seriously, this is a fourby, not a show car. Once you get a decent layer of mud on it, thoughts of gaps won't enter your head.

Michael

[Guest Close Guest]

That's right. The gap is to insert the Karcher for cleaning purposes

[Giles Member Find all posts View Profile Close Giles]

As Hutch said a bit of black does the trick. The rubber idea is good too.

I like the Karcher comment thats gold!

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

I have the silver bar also. The gap is very noticeable. I think that some type of tape that hid the holes in the metal would make the gap look normal rather than expose a non finished type surface.

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

As said before, the gap is there for a purpose, it is to stop the bar from hitting the body panels under flex, as the body mounts are soft to make the ride for the Prado nice and smooth, it has always been like this since the 90 series came out, if you put the rubber in there you may find you get an annoying squeak in the front. I personally would not worry about it, it is not as if people are going to look in the gap.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

As said before, the gap is there for a purpose, it is to stop the bar from hitting the body panels under flex, as the body mounts are soft to make the ride for the Prado nice and smooth, it has always been like this since the 90 series came out, if you put the rubber in there you may find you get an annoying squeak in the front. I personally would not worry about it, it is not as if people are going to look in the gap.

Crooza
I agree rubber is a bad idea. I disagree people won't look at my gap. I get very embarrased when they look at my gap and think a neat strip of .5mm silver tape would make my gap look presentable so people dont see my hole(s) in my gap.
Its ok if you have a black hole because the colour behind it is black, however with my silver hole you see the black which makes my hole very noticable when looking in my gap.....

So in summary, because I dont want to use a rubber I think my black hole draws unwanted attention as people look at my gap. As such I would like some professional help on whjat silver tape or other protection may be available.

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

MLC I'm sure there are places around that specialize in bleaching unsightly holes

(so I've heard...)