Am I expecting too much from my installer?

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

Thanks everyone

I now have a commitment from the both the head office and local owner that all shoddy work will be rectified. I'm happy to see them come around but wouldn't it have been nice if I could have just picked up the Prado and driven it away with a smile on my face. Let's see how it goes next time.

The work will definitely be independently inspected after the repairs. I have a mechanic I've been using for years but suggestions for quality 4x4 specialist would be appreciated. I've been in contact with the relevant local agencies who have confirmed that if the work is still not of an acceptable standard these guys have blown their chance and are required to cover the cost of having the repairs done elsewhere. From my recent discussions with their head office and the local owner I'm feeling more confident that proper care will be taken with the repairs.

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

I think we could all do better, even after a case of beer each.

SWMBO wasn't too keen on my doing the work myself...she's change her tune now though

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

That gap between the bar and infil panels should be more like 15 mm. Not sure about the 150s but I know the 120s bars move a lot in relation to the body(or is it vise versa?)

I've spoken with TJM who have advised the fitting instructions state a minimum 20mm gap...I've got 15mm. They will realign the bar as part of the repairs

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

Wow, that is a shocker. Funny is but a few extra minutes taking time to read instructions and 'finish' a job and you would of been a happy customer...

It doesn't take long and it doesn't take much effort. I'd be embarrassed to hand over something like this

In the Hayman Reese bolt kit for the 150 is about 1 foot worth of pinch weld, this is to hide a cut around the bumper bar however that cut is a shocker... uses a hack saw. They might need to invest in masking tape, nikko pen and a compressor and air hack saw. Use a razor to dress the cut and then put on the pinch weld, looks a million dollars.

Will question them about this and why the pinch weld was not used. I may not have even noticed the hack job if they'd taken an extra few minutes and covered it neatly

The TJM bar has also not been fitted right, first of all it is to close to the infil panels, don't worry about off road as if you cross train tracks it will rub at that gap. The zip ties on the inside inner guard are a shocker, TJM give you 3 x bolts, washers and nuts each side to better lock it on. They have also cut the drivers side to short and the same time you cross those train tracks will be about the same time that the zip ties pull through the inner guard plastic.

I would also be checking to make sure there are 4 bolts per side on the mount that goes from the bar to the winch mount frame on that car as I would almost bet my left nut that it will only have 3 bolts per side holding it on. Which in this case you might be lucky as you then will be able to adjust the bar down and drill the lock off holes to stop the bar moving when doing serious off road work.

Thanks for the info Daniel, sounds like you've installed more than one TJM bar. I've spoken to TJM over the phone but still plan on taking it in to one of their outlets to get a first hand opinion before the repairs are done

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

I should also point out the below pic was of the hayman reece towbar I installed. A much nicer finish then what most shops would spend the time doing.
Click to view.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2872[/ATTACH]

Not THAT'S what I was expecting

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Thanks for the info Daniel, sounds like you've installed more than one TJM bar. I've spoken to TJM over the phone but still plan on taking it in to one of their outlets to get a first hand opinion before the repairs are done

I have been around one or 2 whilst they have been installed mate, I have also seen far to many like yours poorly installed by independants and TJM stores alike but it all comes down to how it will be rectified. I could almost bet I know who sold and installed it for you as well

Give Earl a call at TJM Parramatta and tell him Daniel sent you to see him. I will send Earl a message tonight to expect the call / drop in. He will look after you and check it out once installed.

Best of luck, Daniel

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

Thanks Daniel. I'll give Earl a buzz in the morning

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Thats absolutely shocking ! The police would have been removing me from the 4x4 shop, thats bloody criminal damage.

[Max Member Find all posts View Profile Close Max]

Hey Daniel,

Thanks for putting me on to Earl, he was very helpful.

In general he's happy with the bar install and has suggested trimming a few mm from the diagonals of the infills where they're rubbing before they get sprayed. Apparently this is not unheard of when installing a T13 on the 150 so I'll put it down to the installer not being familiar with TJM bars.

Right guard cut and cable ties are a different story.

[1coolbanana Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 1coolbanana]

The guys that fitted my ARB bar have also used cable ties on the inner guards of my 120.
I figured it was an ARB thing, looks dodgy but dont know whether it the way its supposed to be or not???

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

The guys that fitted my ARB bar have also used cable ties on the inner guards of my 120.
I figured it was an ARB thing, looks dodgy but dont know whether it the way its supposed to be or not???

That is the recommended method for the ARB install, I thought it was dodgy so made up plates to go behind, see post #78 in my rig build for details.

Cheers Andrew

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

That is the recommended method for the ARB install, I thought it was dodgy so made up plates to go behind, see post #78 in my rig build for details.

Cheers Andrew

Thats right, because they have to cut away some of the inner guard, and in this process you lose some points where the inner guard gets clipped on, so they have to make a new one to hold it in there.