Isuzu Mu-X & D-Max AFN Bull Bar Installation - DIY

[@gareth3566]

Mu-x videos are slim pickings. This man is fulfilling a vital community service. Thank you, daddy

[@gerardwilton6165]

Hi Nick, finally got my AFN bullbar after almost 12 month wait, your video was a great help, especially removing the bumper, grille and associated components. The install went smoothly, I had allowed myself 2 days to do it and got it all done in 1 day. Thanks heaps.

[@LowRangeNick]

That's great news! Nice work Gerard!

[@Dickboob]

Love how you’re doing it with beer!

[@unidengenius]

Wow! This video's awesome. I kinda wish I hadn't asked the car dealer to install bull bars onto my DMax. I wasn't confident enough to install them myself. But after watching this vid, I reckon it'll be doable. Thanks for the informational videos.

[@wernerziemerink]

Looks amazing Nick. Love the fact that you put it on yourself. Well done from South Africa.

[@bigz2869]

Hey Nick, You’re videos are excellent. I really enjoy your casual but detailed commentary. I’m saving hard for an Mux can’t wait to have some epic adventures. All the best👍

[@melihaksoy7430]

The bumper is made of plastics, therefore installing a Bull Bar is a must. Since it is all metal construction, it can protect the car from very expensive front end damages. Even though the Isuzu original Bull Bar is $3.600 it is well worth it.

[@NJSInstructional]

Well done mate, great video and you made it look easy. Look forward to more of your videos!

[@dr.gansau1465]

dude,.your channel deserve a million view,.

[@LowRangeNick]

Thank you very much :)

[@nelo01]

Great job doing this in the dark Nick! Just fitted one of these with a mechanic mate in his garage. Took us 8hrs and alot of swearing. My bar is the newer version with L.E.D drl/indicator. They sent the wrong fastener kit which made things very confusing.

[@hendinormana6398]

MUX my favorit car, durablity engine and cool design

[@offthemeynroad4054]

Great work mate. I wanted an AFN bar for my Dmax but it was a 4 month wait and we didn't have the time. They are the best looking bars with the full bumper replace.

[@adosten]

Awesome video Nick! You're my go to reference for all the modifications for my D-max which I recently bought. I was looking at hamer, arb and tjm bumpers but this afn looks slick! Keep em coming. Cheers!

[@LowRangeNick]

Thats awesome! They are a sick looking bar 😊😊😊

[@saketwali25]

Inspirational video LRNic. Waiting to get myself one.

[@LowRangeNick]

Thats exciting! They are an awesome looking bullbar 😎😎😎

[@AlexSwan]

So good! Got one of these coming for my MUX. Cant wait. Most futuristic looking bull bar around.

[@LowRangeNick]

Awesome!

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Thanks Nick, that was quite detailed - appreciate it. After watching you fit the bull bar brackets to the chassis rails, it occurred to me that the way they make bull bars ADR compliant is to make them flimsy. The last bull bar I fitted I could drive the vehicle over it and it wouldn't flinch and the mounts were thick plate steel - a long time before compliance was required. Yours does look good though. My thoughts after watching this is to leave the plastic bumper as is, sacrifice any protection for lights and bonnet and just figure out how to mount the winch and winch plate without the bar - not sure if that is possible....some fabrication required I suppose. Anyhow, the jury is still out on a bull bar (the winch however is a must have) - we'll see when we get to it.

[@KYRO1072]

Wow!youre the best mate..i wish i can do that also.mux owner here from philippines😃

[@stevens15007]

Top job, looking great and you made it look easy. Next wiring up the winch 👍

[@LowRangeNick]

Absolutely, thats next 😀

[@ebail4445]

Like an amphibi tank. Awesome

[@magicmiketrucker]

my new car just you like have got it mate .. awesome tutorial.

[@ABsOffroad]

Looks tuff as. The AFN stuff always looks aggressive

[@brianc9159]

looks awesome Nick...nice job

[@psy06]

looks great ! now needs some brush bars !

[@Frank-bh3cm]

Looks great mate

[@asapRockz]

Awesome bro..me and the wifey are getting this car in a few months,so keen to add a few things uve done to mine hopefully 💯

[@LowRangeNick]

Thats mega exciting! Yewww 😀😀😀

[@paulgalpin6740]

Nice work mate. Keep the Vids coming. Would of been an ideal time to replace that intercooler.

[@LowRangeNick]

Yeah would have been! Theres a fair bit of room behind the bar so could still get it out pretty easy. One day it will get upgraded 😀

[@lowcorolla92]

Looks really nice man should install a light bar on the bull bar that will look really good

[@LowRangeNick]

Ive got 2 afn led spotties on it now 😊

[@lowcorolla92]

@@LowRangeNick wow I really wanna see what they look like on it man that will be nice

[@LowRangeNick]

@@lowcorolla92 if you jump over to my instagram page @lowrangenick you can keep up to date with everything im up to 😊👍

[@lowcorolla92]

@@LowRangeNick sweet I sure will

[@MudducksTouringAustralia]

looking great Nick. Cheers Steve

[@olecaccra5707]

You’re a legend mate!

[@LowRangeNick]

Thanks mate 😀😀😀 Cheers for watching 😊

[@seancuffe264]

nice work mate!

[@bobaidenlego]

Hi Nick when are you going to do a video on how to fit a Transmission cooler thanks for all the past help Regards Bob

[@LowRangeNick]

Probably not in the near future, unless i start towing a van or camper.

[@malcolmmathers2690]

looks great

[@dennispenascoza1790]

AWESOME Nick. Like your vids.😀👍

[@LowRangeNick]

Cheers Dennis 😊

[@prime0591]

Making a video with a beer in ur hand 👌🏻😂😂

[@LowRangeNick]

Priorities 😂😂😂

[@kadiocalc]

it's a great looking bar. Shame they don't make one for the BT 50.

[@wilstjames3111]

GOOOD JOB! I really need to see a rear tow hitch install for MU X please do a video for one ,, so I could copy....looking at mine its the rear spare in the way, Ill DIY someday....Thanks!

[@louismccully5411]

looks mint

[@TheSquad1112]

Hi nick can you do a video on an exhaust upgrade

[@tonyhadenough2574]

I do say the bar looks nice and I love your work Nic, but there isn't enough protection against if you hit a Roo, it's really just a replacement bar, not a traditional bullbar. Personally I will buy ARB or TjM for that extra protection. Love ya vids mate

[@urabus7875]

Nice job

[@jamiemulcahy7011]

Hi Nick. I used this video to help me replace my cracked bumper with a second hand one that I sourced from someone doing a bull bar install. Great video and made the job a lot easier and saved me $500. I have a question re fog lights. The new bumper came with fog lights. Do you know how I wire up the switch? Cheers.

[@LowRangeNick]

If your vehicle didn't have foglights from factory then you will just wire them up like spot lights.

[@joshspencer8041]

Love this bar on my Mux! How do you go about accessing the clutch on your winch with the lightbar on? Just put a stedi bar on mine and can’t access the clutch at all unless I cut out some of the grille.

[@mcaudery]

Hey nick, i had a AFN bar fitted to a dmax. I will be fitted a winch in due time. It looks like for me to fit the winch i would need to remove the grill and silver bash plate and i should be able to drop it in and then bolt it off.

[@LowRangeNick]

Thats exactly right. Grille out, grille support off and then the alloy bash plate off and you will be able to fit it to the bar 😊😊😊

[@mcaudery]

@@LowRangeNick awesome thanks for your help, and your videos are excellent!

[@LowRangeNick]

@@mcaudery Cheers man! Thanks for watching 😀

[@castilloariel1490]

Hi Nick happy what sort of wiring harness connector did you use with the bull bar fog lamp

[@l3n221]

Nice Gary

[@shaynewebb5098]

Great vids mate making it alot easier for us less mechanical types to be able to do it ourselves 👍. I've got a 2014 model mux just wanting to know if afn have bull bars for this model as well? Cheers

[@LowRangeNick]

Cheers Shayne! Afn do make bullbars for the 2014 models. They look great !

[@shaynewebb5098]

@@LowRangeNick awesome mate cheers. I take it the dismantling of the front and installation of bull bar would be the same.

[@redwinemademedoit]

Hello Nick ,just found your channel and I am enjoying your great content! I have been watching especially closly, for I am in the market for a new 4x4 as well, and have grown up in the toyota ecosystem. Being a creature of habit, I automatically thought hilux, but i got to say the isuzu mux has got me interested..but a part of me keeps saying I need difflocks to tackle touring conditions/fraser island ect...am Iwrong in assuming this? Would the MUX be as capable as the lux ect if you had drivers of equal skill? 50- 60 k is alot to spend on a vehicle, and would love to hear why the mux is the way you decided to go..thanks again for the great content!

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Dan! Thanks for watching. I also came out of toyotas. I had a 105 series and an 80 series. I took a while deciding what 4x4 i wanted. As a mechanic i work on lots of different 4wds everyday and have pretty much driven all of the brands out there. I knew what i didnt like and what i did to start with. I am a wagon person, i have always had wagons so searching for a wagon instead of a ute was what i was after. I knew i wanted it to have coil springs because they are comfy and flexy 😋 that left me with a few options. Toyota fortuner, prado, ford everest, mitsubishi pajero or the isuzu mu-x. The main reasons i chose the mu-x over the competitors. Number 1 reliability, the 4jj1 engine has been around for ages and is know to be an incredible engine with very few issues. Number 2 the price, 42k for lsm 46k for lsu and around 50k for lst. They are well priced and the way i looked at the lack of a locker was i was saving quite a bit of money buying the mux so i could afford to spend 2k on fitting a locker later down the track. Number 3 - no DPF issues , toyota have massive issues with thr 2.8l engine and dpf issues due to the design of the system and i have heard of multiple other issues with the 2.8l as well. All in all it does come down to what suits your needs and what you like more. The best advice i could give you is to test drive both vehicles on the same day and do a little research for known issues and then make the big decision 😀😀😀 the mux is a very capable tourer as it is. It doesnt need a locker but it would make it alot easier to drive more challenging tracks. 👍 hope that helps you a little bit 😊😊😊

[@redwinemademedoit]

@@LowRangeNick thanks for the detailed answer Nick, this valuable info will definatly help me make my decision! I am aware of the hilux issues, this is why i have not bought another just yet. I am going to go to Isuzu again today and see if I can choose between the dmax and the Mux...just at the tipping point between both atm. I sat in the Mitsubishi and could not adjust the seat down far enough to see out the windscreen properly( im 6'4) so that was a no as well. And also the fact your a real world mechanic helps me make my decision easier! Thanks mate!

[@MrVenugaddipati]

nice work nick, it helped me to fit iron man on my 2018 mux. now i am thinking of 2 inch lift kit, will it makes any gap between bumper and bull bar?

[@LowRangeNick]

Awesome! It wont make any gaps. The suspension lift is lifting the whole chassis and body together.

[@MrVenugaddipati]

thanks nick

[@phillipramplin1203]

Nice vid nic just purchased a sx dmax spacecab its being converted into a six wheeler lazy axle to carry a slide on camper so weight is of importance on any accessories we ad so what is the weight of this bar lm comparing it to a smart bar but i love the look of the afn cheers Phil

[@LowRangeNick]

Thats awesome! Sounds like a weapon. I think they weigh about 60kg just the bull bar. Extra if you put a winch in 😊

[@phillipramplin1203]

@@LowRangeNick what took you so long to reply haha thanks mate could be a little heavy ill send photo when build is compete Phil

[@LowRangeNick]

@@phillipramplin1203 haha ! Id be keen to check it out!

[@CRN8091]

Hey Nick, nice looking MUX!.thinking about giving my DMAX intercooler a clean, reckon I could get it out if I take the grill off or would I have to take the front bumper off too?.cheers!.

[@LowRangeNick]

I reckon i could get it out with the afn bar on. Not too sure with the bumper on. Couldnt hurt to try taking the grille out and giving it a go though. 😊

[@bazza987654321]

Hi Nick, I've watched a number of your video and even installed Outback Armour suspension and an AFN bar on our MY17 MUX-LSU. Took me 3 days to install the bar using the Portish written instructions and your video. I'm thinking of fitting a winch but how do you find accessibility with the AFN bar?

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Tom! Nice work doing it all your self. It's very easy to fit a winch once you have the bar fitted. Just pull the grille out and the grille support and the alloy Afn under tray and your good to go!

[@craigwhite1489]

Hey Nic , great work I have noticed you now have a Carbon winch.. We did you mount the control box ? Cheers

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Craig, I'm running the domin8r winch. The control box is mounted up behind the grille.

[@craigwhite1489]

@@LowRangeNick Cheers Nic. Haha saw the carbon fairlead and thought you changed it out. Just in the process installing all no hoop Piak bar with a carbon winch and have been looking for ideas for mounting control box

[@aussieboomer-theturtoncrew6996]

Thanks for the comprehensive video. Those recovery points you mentioned, what are there rating (kg)?

[@LowRangeNick]

3T rating each point. 6T if using a bridle between both points :)

[@miken191]

Hi Nick, this bull bar really looks amazing on the Mu-X. Your videos are great with the level of detail you put in them. Well done! Have you done any research, or do you have any concerns about the strengthen of the Mu-X front to support the bull bar/winch? I have read opinions that the extra weight can lead to cracked chassis that some people reported online. It may be a specific type of bull bar which is not well designed for the vehicle, I am not sure. Interested to know your opinion. Cheers

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Mike! Thanks for watching. I did think about the extra weight a fair bit when deciding which bull bar to fit to the mu-x. I think the issues with cracked chassis were on older models. The AFN bull bar weighs a bit less than the competitors bars like arb or tjm and being a full bumper replacement keeps the weight nice and snug against the end of the chassis. Were with the competitors bars they have brackets to push the bull bar out further to clear the bumper bar when you trim it in turn putting more stress on the end of the chassis plus they are a slightly heavier bar as well. I havnt ever heard of a dmax or mux with a afn bull bar having any chassis issues. Hope that helps 😊😊😊 cheers for the comment 👍

[@miken191]

@@LowRangeNick Thanks for your response Nick. The chassis cracks seems to be more of isolated cases and as you said on the earlier models. I have been amazed how well the AFN bar integrates into the vehicle and the level of detail they have put into the design. I see you have done your research mate. The truck looks really awesome with it, love it. Cheers.

[@NXAussie500]

AFN bar ...yeah I guess it's a matter of personal taste.

[@baronvonaux8294]

G'day Nick, Would it be possible with the AFN bullbar to install the winch without removing the bulbar, or would it have to come off?

[@LowRangeNick]

Yep you sure can install a winch without taking the bar off. You just have to take the grille and the grille support out 😊

[@baronvonaux8294]

Cheers mate, gonna go this bar for my MUX then and add the winch down the track when funds allow. 👍

[@masterdeeds]

HI Nick, at the end you put a grille brace back inside to connect the front grille to. Where did you get this from?

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Mark, the brace came with the AFN bullbar kit.

[@masterdeeds]

@@LowRangeNick Ah cheers, I had to buy another brand due to the costs and wait times. Nothing like that came with it so I assume I still need to use the standard upper brace. Find out when I take it into the shop to be finished off.

[@AlexSwan]

Hey Nick, if you weren't gonna fit a winch, would you still mount the winch bracket by itself first or with the bull bar together instead? Cheers

[@LowRangeNick]

Still fit it first 👍 makes the installation alot easier.

[@AlexSwan]

@@LowRangeNick Nice one, thanks legend! Looks like a satisfying job. Heard AFN bars can be a tight fit but this looks doable. Cheers

[@LowRangeNick]

@@AlexSwan Definately doable 👍👍👍

[@brendankelly8606]

Hi nick are you still liking the MUX had any issues with it

[@LowRangeNick]

Yeah man! Lovin it! Only issue i had was the drivers seat base was making an annoying clunk every time i went around corners and over bumps. The service department was great with the warranty though and had a new seat base fitted quickly. No other issues to report. Its now got 21000km on it and couldnt be happier with it! 😊👍

[@taichiworld]

I really like the look of this bar, checked the weight on it and they say it's only 65kg? Does that sound right to you? ARB said theirs is 82kg but doesn't have recovery points, so once you add those as well you're looking at 94kg! That's a lot heavier! I'm wondering what you get that extra weight, I guess just thicker steel?

[@LowRangeNick]

The AFN are a lighter bar I believe they are 3mm or 4mm steel. The ARB is 5mm steel I believe.

[@PiazzaWoodWorks]

Nice work mate! Are you springs already rated for the accessories?

[@LowRangeNick]

Yep they sure are. Heavy Duty Outback armour expedition lift with performance shocks 😀😀😀 rated for bullbar and winch in the front and approx 150kg in the rear 👍

[@PiazzaWoodWorks]

LowRangeNick nice I have been running out back armour front suspension in my n80 hilux for a year and a half and it’s flawless

[@LowRangeNick]

@@PiazzaWoodWorks hell yeah! They are a tough bit of gear thats for sure. 👍

[@MiniLuv-1984]

@@PiazzaWoodWorks good to know - thanks for that - I mean, its pretty fair dincum coming from Nick, but another plug never goes astray.

[@PiazzaWoodWorks]

Benny Banger for sure mate, and the springs I had in my n70 also , so the springs are about 5 years old, I don’t run a bullbar but they have never sagged, I have the performance front struts and the quality of them compared to a lot of others is on par if not better! The adjustable coil seats are great too

[@m26m27]

Hey Nick, Great video there mate. are the OEM towing points (rated 2.0T each on Isuzu website) good enough for use as a recovery point? I can see you have left them as it is and not replacing them with after-market recovery points. Cheers

[@LowRangeNick]

The bullbar has rated recovery points fitted to it. The factory ones are rated for recovery but I believe you need to loop them together and use both sides at once. The actual ratings are on the isuzu website

[@travisturton5294]

Hey Nick, great video I'm looking to get AFN bar eventually for my nav and was wondering if you used loctite on all the bolts during this assembly or not? If not, why is that?

[@LowRangeNick]

Pretty much all the bolts use nyloc nuts so there is no real need to loctite as well. 👍

[@mannyxr400]

Hey Nick, how did you access the 10mm screws on the deflector ? Trying to remove mine but can’t see how you can access some with spanner or socket.

[@TheSquad1112]

Nice video mate how much did the project cost

[@LowRangeNick]

The bullbars retail around $2400

[@TheSquad1112]

That’s not bad I wonder how much installed

[@aimcdoug]

Hi Nick, great video. Bit of a newbie question, but did you use a 10mm socket to remove the plastic deflector or something else?

[@LowRangeNick]

Yep, just a 10mm socket.

[@davidnoble173]

Been wanting one of these for a little while now but still running stock suspension. You said it was pretty light but do you think you could run the bar with no winch on stock suspension?

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey David! You can definately still run the bar on stock suspension but you may notice a drop in the front end. You can always fit the bar and see how it goes, without the winch i dont think it would be too bad. 😊👍

[@niharjyotichetia750]

Will the airbag still work.?

[@LowRangeNick]

Yep they sure will, they are Australian design rule and airbag compliant 😊👍

[@YoItsZed]

What’s up, Nick! Planning to put bull bar on my MUX, is it mandatory to change the shocks and suspension?

[@LowRangeNick]

Hey Zed, it's not mandatory but you will find the standard suspension will sag over time with the weight of the bull bar.

[@alanthomson5331]

Really enjoy your videos Nick and wrapped that I just happened to buy a MUX and now have 20k on the clock as well. After watching your videos I've now ordered a Catch can and looking to purchase an AFN bullbar. I'm just curious as to what comes with the bullbar. The bash plates are included? Looking at your car (bullbar), what's not included. (besides the winch)

[@LowRangeNick]

Cheers Alan! That's awesome! Congrats on getting an mu-x. The bullbar comes with all of the side wings, alloy bash plate and a metal bash plate that sits behind it. It replaces the front factory bash plate.

[@alanthomson5331]

@@LowRangeNick thanks for the prompt reply. Coolum...one of favorite villages. ( I live on the other side of the river)

[@LowRangeNick]

@@alanthomson5331 Such a nice spot!

[@markcowan621]

how do you rate the recovery points on the AFN bar? Would you be comfortable snatching of them?

[@LowRangeNick]

They look solid as and are rated to over 6 tonne when using a bridle between the 2 points. I would confidently use the points but definately use a bridle.

[@markcowan621]

@@LowRangeNick thanks mate. I've been eyeing off this bar for quite awhile, think that's sealed it!

[@jag131990]

Hi Nick, you have great prior knowledge when undertaking these installs, have you done them before? Wondering if you are a mechanic.

[@LowRangeNick]

I am a qualified mechanic and work at a workshop called Coolum Motors on the Sunshine Coast were we do everything from full vehicle 4wd fitouts to dyno tuning and all sorts of servicing work and mechanical repairs. Kind of a one stop shop 😊 We fit quite alot of AFN gear at work and its always top notch gear 👌

[@jag131990]

​@@LowRangeNick Good one Nick, extremely valuable and from a qualified source. Excellent channel and thanks for the reply.

[@LowRangeNick]

@@jag131990 Thanks alot for watching 😊

[@muskit770]

@@LowRangeNick no wonder...... Otherwise, this couldn't have been so efficient and effortless...... I myself would have wrecked the car attempting this DIY

[@LowRangeNick]

@@muskit770 Hopfully after seeing this video you might be able to have a good shot at installing your own bullbar 😊

[@simonmariogondowidjojo4596]

Hi, greetings from Indonesia, I do have Mux in Indonesia and it is only 2.5lt 2wd. Doesnt have 3.0 It version It seems that you are a MUX expert. Kindly if you dont mind post a video about how to change fuel filter, and how to bleed an air out of the fuel system. Thxs

[@LowRangeNick]

Thats a great idea! I may make one in the future 😊

[@MrCustomvs]

Hi Nick, Old vid i know, hopefully you respond, I live near you and just got myself a 2015 Mux with 100 000kms. I'm a little confused, many sellers advertise Dmax to fit Mux and vice versa, then some say they are not compatible ! do you know if Dmax bars fit the Mux in the 2015 model?

[@LowRangeNick]

The dmax bar won't fit the mu-x. Different headlights and bumper etc.

[@2Oxyuranus]

Hey Nick, can I ask what suspension lift you have fitted and what size tyres?

[@LowRangeNick]

I have a 50mm outback armour lift kit with 265/70r17 mud tyres 😊👍

[@unclebob5686]

Hey mate, 6 months on, how is this bar fairing up to weather etc? Is the powder coating of good quality and welds etc? I owned an ARB on my last Prado and after 3 years, rust spots were appearing on the edges where the paint was extremely thin.

[@LowRangeNick]

It's fairing pretty good, no rust at all and the paint seems to be fine. Pretty happy with it 😊

[@xBR1TT41Nx]

What’s next mate?

[@LowRangeNick]

Probably wire up the winch and some led lights 😀😀😀

[@xBR1TT41Nx]

Nice mate 👌

[@KritMilin]

Sorry, Do you want to sell your old bumper ?

[@LowRangeNick]

Yep its for sale, Pick up Sunshine Coast, QLD. If your interested just message me on my facebook page @lowrangenick 😊👍

[@coreylister7549]

Does anyone know what the spare wiring plug behind the centre of the grill on the dmax is for?

[@outdoors5352]

What is the weight of the bar?

[@LowRangeNick]

Unsure of exact weight but they are alot lighter than the ARB and tjm bullbar.

[@dakshkotru]

hey Nick... just wanted to check, if I want to replace the stock headlight unit with after market, do I need to take the bumper off to gain access to screws/nuts?

[@LowRangeNick]

Yeah, im pretty sure you would have to remove the bumper to get to all the bolts and get the headlights out.

[@dakshkotru]

@@LowRangeNick thanks a lot

[@orson091]

literally the worst bar on the market...

[@bazza987654321]

Hi Nick, Two years have passed since my last question. Yesterday I parted with some money buying a Kings Domin8r Extreme winch (half price sale day). Can I ask where you fitted the winch control box as there doesn't appear to be any room on top of the AFN bar?

[@LowRangeNick]

Hi Tom! I mounted it in behind the grille.

[@bazza987654321]

@@LowRangeNick Thanks Nick! I'll fit it late June when our eldest grandson visits. He can do the heavy lifting :-) Cleaned off all the factory grease today and replaced it with a marine grade complex lithium based grease.