Brush bars for ARB/TJM setup?

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

Hi all,

My facelift 150 has a white ARB deluxe bar, and black TJM side steps. I'd like to add brush bars to stiffen the front, plus for upcoming Cape trip, and was wondering:
- any thoughts on where to get brush bars to match this combo?
- has anyone done this?
- (don't laugh..) I figure I'd have to colour match the white bull bar/vehicle colour, but maybe into a black adaptor at the step?

Any suggestions appreciated,

Cam

P.s. I'm in Bairnsdale, Vic. which has ARB and TJM but limited fabricators.

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

When I purchased my brush bar's and steps to fit up to a white ARB bar that was already fitted, I reluctantly got the steps and bars colour coded white as well to avoid the dilemma you are facing. I have regretted this since the first off road venture, due to the white paint topcoat being nowhere near as hard as the black powder coat underneath, basically the slightest touch peels the topcoat and leaves the untouched powder coat visible. From my opinion, avoid the temptation to get the existing steps/new brush bars coated white and stick with just doing the adapters like you have said. Or failing that, wear the cost now to get your bar sandblasted and powder-coated black again, this is the route I will take when the bar/steps/brush bars have enough marks to annoy me.

On another note, is it even possible to fit brush bars to a vehicle with ARB bar and TJM steps? I know the steps sit in a different spot (arb ones are lower and more narrow) so you maybe looking at getting some custom bar clamps made up anyway and unable to use off the shelf components? ARB do sell a bar end that bolts under the vehicle and not to the steps, this may be something to consider as well, but I not sure if that will fit with TJM steps either, it is designed for vehicles with OEM steps. Food for thought...

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

RWO I think the problem you have is with the quality of your paint, my scrub bars are white (painted) and the paint is tough as nails. My painter adds a special hardener to the paint for bullbars and scrub bars and the like, makes it much tougher than normal.

I think this has been discussed before, cant recall what the result was, but the steps and the bar from the differing brands weren't compatible, custom made might be your best bet.

Cheers Andrew

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

RWO I think the problem you have is with the quality of your paint, my scrub bars are white (painted) and the paint is tough as nails. My painter adds a special hardener to the paint for bullbars and scrub bars and the like, makes it much tougher than normal.

I think this has been discussed before, cant recall what the result was, but the steps and the bar from the differing brands weren't compatible, custom made might be your best bet.

Cheers Andrew

More than likely is a problem with the paint work. Bar and steps/scrubs were painted on opposite sides of the country by different arb store contractors and both exhibit the same problem, it's a bit late to get them re-painted now.

[reddevil25 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close reddevil25]

Hi cam
i have tjm steps and brush bars fitted to a non tjm bull bar

I had to extend the bars 100 mm and buy Arb clamps which are 90 degree . The tjm bars come with 2 sets of clamps 15 and 30 degree angle because their bull bars are angled back where the bars join.
cheers mike

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

Hi cam
i have tjm steps and brush bars fitted to a non tjm bull bar

I had to extend the bars 100 mm and buy Arb clamps which are 90 degree . The tjm bars come with 2 sets of clamps 15 and 30 degree angle because their bull bars are angled back where the bars join.
cheers mike

Hi Mike,

How did you extend the bars? Might have to quiz the boys at TJM.

Thanks,

Cam

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

could always do a fade in over the length of the brush bars.

could look awesome, could look poxy. Probably a mixture of both :P An alternative is to get your side steps painted. Would probably renew them appearance wise and surely wouldn't set you back that much?

As far as I can tell, many of the brush bars are adjustable in length.