Removal of 150 bumper to fit Toyota towbar

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

Hello all. I have a 150 series and a Toyota towbar which I am considering fitting myself. It came with all instructions except removal of the rear bumper, which says refer to the workshop manual. Any tips on its removal - I imagine it's not too difficult! Thanks in advance.

[Matty R Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matty R]

I fitted my towbar myself. It was a bit of a mission, but nothing to serious

Instructions for rear bar removal can be found online. I'm at work at the moment but I'll try and find the link when I get home



Oh, I'm pretty sure the wiring loom could be fitted without removing the 3rd row seats, That would save a stack of time

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

Thanks Matty. I'd be grateful for the link to the instructions. I've been quoted around $350 to fit the bar and wiring harness so even if it takes me all day I won't mind. It does sound like quite a fiddle - a far cry from ones I fitted to 2 Prados late last century. I think it was just 4 or maybe 6 bolts for those. 2003 was a bigger job but at least the bar came with detailed step by step instructions including bumper removal and cutting. I must say I'm happy to be going back to the "old" style as I was never 100% happy with the one on the 03 model - especially after seeing a pic of a broken one on a caravan forum. Thanks again.

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

I fitted my towbar myself. It was a bit of a mission, but nothing to serious

Instructions for rear bar removal can be found online. I'm at work at the moment but I'll try and find the link when I get home



Oh, I'm pretty sure the wiring loom could be fitted without removing the 3rd row seats, That would save a stack of time

Even if you can't find the link Matty, were there any problems with the bumper removal and the back door stay?

[Matty R Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matty R]

Sorry boomer, been flat out!

I can't find the link, I think it may have been the 3rd row seat removal instructions I was thinking of.

The bumper removal is pretty straight forward. From memory there are no hidden screws or bolts. I left the rear stay on. The plastic trim around where it mounts to the body can be removed and every thing comes off with out removing it.

Hope this helps.

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

Thanks for that Matty. I tried searching on line. Found some info but not actual instructions and the fact that the fitting instructions said refer to the workshop manual for bumper removal put me off a bit! I'll have a go at it as soon as I have time. Just didn't want to start if there was anything particularly tricky.

[happys 150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close happys 150]

Hi boomer,
I installed Toyota tow bar myself.
I'll have to have a look at it tomorrow morning to refresh my memory but I opened rear door, removed plastic step strip, I don't think you have to but I removed tail light assemblies, then removed mud guards, there was 2 plugs left and right a bit behind mud flaps then 10 mm bolts under bumper. Bumper pulls out left and right tops just at tail lights (just gently pull and the little clips will let go). Then just pull the whole lot off.
I'll have a quick look in morning to make sure I didn't miss anything
Hope this helps
Cheers

Happy Dan

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

Thanks Happy Dan sounds good to me. I have the bar and wiring harness but haven't started the job yet. Can't believe the amount of stuff to be removed if you follow the instructions for the wiring. From memory on previous Prados all I did was push the harness up after removing a grommet. I suspect that with a bit of fiddling it can be done that way on a 150 also. Thanks again and I look forward to any more info you have. How about the wiring for the sensors?

[happys 150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close happys 150]

Hi boomer,
There is a lot to pull out but it's quite easy but time consuming. I found after I finished I was thinking you don't have to pull it all out, but after having a look pull it all out it gets everything out of the way. Left hand third row seat has to come out to access I think one dam screw and it's heaps easier to get the left hand side trimming out. Two bolts in front and two bolts on rear of seat then out she comes. Then take off everything on the the left hand rear trimming and pull it out. Pull out gromits as per instructions. The wiring plugs just fit through holes and I mean just. Then plug it all in as per instructions and reassemble.

[happys 150 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close happys 150]

The sensor wiring is two plugs I think. The one on left and right side rear of the mud flaps. You can't miss them as bumper won't come off with out unplugging them haha. You'll have fun doing it and the satisfaction oh yes the best bit not paying rip off toyota to do something you can do. Money saved payed for my snorkel

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

Happy, thanks for your advice and I'll be doing the job soon. After that there's an Anderson plug, a Tekonsha broke controller and my UHF and then I'll be back to where I was with the 120. I agree about the satisfaction and the cost saving. I can sort of see why the costs for fitting would be high though. I had the 1000km inspection done today and the service centre was very professionally run with people all over the place shuffling cars around and working on them. All getting paid plus holiday pay, annual leave, superannuation RDOs etc etc. The costs of running a large service centre must be enormous and of course it's funded at the bottom line by us!!! Just might get a snorkel too with the money saved LOL. Thanks again!

[Craigo72 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Craigo72]

Don't know if anyone else had the same as me but my tow bar was full of filings, I tipped as much out as I could but you can see rust marks on my barrage floor where the rusty water runs out of the plastic grommets on the tow bar. Just a suggestion for anyone about to fit there own.

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

Apologies for the OT post, but I figured this thread was most relevant as your guys are (or have) just been through the installation.

Does the genuine Toyota bar require any drilling of the chassis to install, or is it just a bumper cut with fixing to existing holes? I had my heart set on a Wynnum bar as I incorrectly assumed it could be installed without vehicle modification (i.e. the bumper) but after speaking to them this morning, they advised me that the installation of their bar requires 2 holes drilled in the chassis. I would much rather cut the bumper than drill the chassis!

[Matty R Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matty R]

Definatley no Chassis drilling with the factory tow bar

[CQ_Prado Member Find all posts View Profile Close CQ_Prado]

Did you know the hayman reese bar now goes right across to chassis rails and bolts in the middle as well. found out when i got it fitted a few days ago.. also need to adjust clearance between exhaust tip and towbar bolt heads. unless you like the clanging sound.