Hilux Rugged X

[wattas]

Recently purchased a Hilux Rugged X with the understanding from the dealership that the bull bar was winch compatible. After visiting ARB last week, I discovered that this was not 100% the case. Yes, it's winch compatible, but only to the genuine Toyota parts. You need to purchase a cradle that fits in the bull bar and then purchase the winch to fit it. The difference is nearly $3000. Not really very impressed to be honest.

Don't get me wrong, the Hilux is absolutely beautiful to drive and worth every cent.

Has anyone had any luck fitting a winch to the Rugged X without going through Toyota?

 

[mac_man_luke]

I can understand needing to purchase the cradle but then you should be able to fit any winch?

 

[Tink]

Saw an X the other day, looked great. Congrats.
I agree with Luke, should be able to install whatever winch you want once you buy the cradle. Toyota are not the only ones who sell winch compatible bars without the winch cradle. Heck most genuine bars won’t even accept a winch so you are ahead there already. Good luck and keep us informed.
Tink

 

[wattas]

So an update on the winch situation, still no answer from anyone outside Toyota. Have also come up against a second problem, adding an aerial for the UHF is complicated as the smaller bull bar doesn't have adequate room to attache the aerial to. I have removed the sports bar and added a canopy and that removes Toyota's idea of an aerial mounting spot. Anyone got any ideas for either problem?

 

[dabbler]

So an update on the winch situation, still no answer from anyone outside Toyota. Have also come up against a second problem, adding an aerial for the UHF is complicated as the smaller bull bar doesn't have adequate room to attache the aerial to. I have removed the sports bar and added a canopy and that removes Toyota's idea of an aerial mounting spot. Anyone got any ideas for either problem?

Have you looked at different mounts ? There are dozens of variations on antenna mount, many brackets are suited to different bar sizes. GME show about 30 on their website.

Not perfect positioning but an bracket mount for the bonnet will always work.

 

[BarKer]

A bit of flat steel, a grinder, some sandpaper and a lick of paint will do the trick...

 

[Wade1]

So an update on the winch situation, still no answer from anyone outside Toyota. Have also come up against a second problem, adding an aerial for the UHF is complicated as the smaller bull bar doesn't have adequate room to attache the aerial to. I have removed the sports bar and added a canopy and that removes Toyota's idea of an aerial mounting spot. Anyone got any ideas for either problem?

Hi Wattas
Here is a picture of where my auto electrician put mine it is on a bit of an angle but it's not to bad I'm happy.
And I here ya in regards to the winch a bit disappointing on Toyota's behalf.

 

[Nckm54]

Hey Wattas,

You can fit any winch to the Toyota winch cradle.

I have a domin8r xtreme (4wd Supacentre) fitted to my rugged X.

With regards to antenna mounting, I am using the GME fender bracket which hasn't failed me yet, although it does seem flimsy when off road.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dmacey]

Hey Wattas,

You can fit any winch to the Toyota winch cradle.

I have a domin8r xtreme (4wd Supacentre) fitted to my rugged X.

With regards to antenna mounting, I am using the GME fender bracket which hasn't failed me yet, although it does seem flimsy when off road.

Hope this helps.

Did you have to get another winch cradle fitting kit?
I’m looking at getting a winch installed but need so many extra parts just to make it work.

 

[Nckm54]

Did you have to get another winch cradle fitting kit?
I’m looking at getting a winch installed but need so many extra parts just to make it work.

I got the Toyota winch fitting kit which in hind sight is quite steep cost wise. The expensive part is the actual fitting kit, about $800

You can get away with just the winch cradle from Toyota (~$300 from memory) and fab up your own number plate flip. The front panel of the rugged x bar unbolt from behind so you can more easily modify if off the bull bar assembly.

 

[Bingle]

Hey Wattas
Did you take your sports bar off yourself? About to take mine off.. Was it easy enough and where does it bolt under the wheeel arch?

Recently purchased a Hilux Rugged X with the understanding from the dealership that the bull bar was winch compatible. After visiting ARB last week, I discovered that this was not 100% the case. Yes, it's winch compatible, but only to the genuine Toyota parts. You need to purchase a cradle that fits in the bull bar and then purchase the winch to fit it. The difference is nearly $3000. Not really very impressed to be honest.

Don't get me wrong, the Hilux is absolutely beautiful to drive and worth every cent.

Has anyone had any luck fitting a winch to the Rugged X without going through Toyota?

 

[TopEnderNT]

Hey Wattas, was there any issues in removing the sports bar? I'm doing it to my 2019 Rugged and building custom aluminum cage canopy. I see its easy to remove the top half but I've also heard the bottom is welded to the chassis, is this correct?

So an update on the winch situation, still no answer from anyone outside Toyota. Have also come up against a second problem, adding an aerial for the UHF is complicated as the smaller bull bar doesn't have adequate room to attache the aerial to. I have removed the sports bar and added a canopy and that removes Toyota's idea of an aerial mounting spot. Anyone got any ideas for either problem?

 

[Bingle]

Hey Wattas, was there any issues in removing the sports bar? I'm doing it to my 2019 Rugged and building custom aluminum cage canopy. I see its easy to remove the top half but I've also heard the bottom is welded to the chassis, is this correct?

hey mate just taken mine off today. Not welded. However after taking it I drove it and there was a rattle. I didn’t put the bolts back in and I think it’s that as I thought they just held down the bar. But I think that’s the reason for the rattle. If you get under the nuts are easy enough with a bit of maneuvering and. 3/8 set.

 

[Usewhenrequired]

Hi all, new to the site. I am getting a canopy for my ute and was wondering what you all are doing for "block off plates" for the holes left on the deck when you take the sports bar off, or is this not and issue?
Plus whats the consensus on tub liners.....shit vs good or are they all much of a muchness.
Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[dabbler]

Hi all, new to the site. I am getting a canopy for my ute and was wondering what you all are doing for "block off plates" for the holes left on the deck when you take the sports bar off, or is this not and issue?
Plus whats the consensus on tub liners.....shit vs good or are they all much of a muchness.
Any help would be great. Thanks

I've read reports of tub liners and canopies not being compatible. I just bought some ute matting from the Big Green Shed. It can be removed for thorough cleaning but I haven't done that for a long, long time.


Not sure about block off plates. Wouldn't plastic plug inserts be possible. Or install some anchor points for tiedowns.

 

[Usewhenrequired]

Thanks for your reply, may just have to see what im dealing with when the bar comes out.

 

[Goodyear7]

Hi anyone have any problems with the front suspension on a rugged x currently going through a shit storm with Toyota as mine has dropped around 45mm in the front and after being told by the service team at Toyota there is nothing wrong with the car I measured a brand new rugged x on the lot it measured around 520mm from center hub to wheel arch and mine is measuring 475mm the car is only six months old 20000km

 

[Usewhenrequired]

Not me mate. Sounds shit on behalf of Toyota.
I replaced my suspension at about 8000 km with Outback Armour and couldn’t be happier.

 

[Woola70]

Hey Wattas,

You can fit any winch to the Toyota winch cradle.

I have a domin8r xtreme (4wd Supacentre) fitted to my rugged X.

With regards to antenna mounting, I am using the GME fender bracket which hasn't failed me yet, although it does seem flimsy when off road.

Hope this helps.

So did you buy the Toyota winch cradle mount kit and then the Domin8r winch fitted into the Toyota cradle, behind the standard Rugged X bullbar? I am trying to get a Carbon winch fitted and several installers believe they won't fit

 

[Usewhenrequired]

So did you buy the Toyota winch cradle mount kit and then the Domin8r winch fitted into the Toyota cradle, behind the standard Rugged X bullbar? I am trying to get a Carbon winch fitted and several installers believe they won't fit

Hi mate,
I did the install. As you stated above. Toyota cradle, dominator and standard X bullbar. The only issue that I encountered was having to turn the spool end 90 degrees so the spool knob was upright and cut a hole for the fairlead and one in the grill to be able to turn the free spool knob thingy.
Shit order but couldnt be bothered putting into sequence.