Remove ALL Crash Bars With NO Cutting

[tygr2007]

I've looked around, and I haven't found a full guide on how to remove crash bars in a Ranger. So, here's my step by step guide.

This link includes a lot of pictures if you can't find something.

What do I need?
- Sockets & Ratchets of Course
- Torx Bits
- Trim Removal Tools
- Phillips & Flathead Screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Patience


Step 1: Bumper Removal
- Note: You really don't need to fully remove the bumper. It can sit on the bolts you just gotta take off the nuts for it to slide out enough to get clearence for the crash bar to slide out. Whatever is easier for you. I just slid it out enough and didn't fully unmount it since I have lightbars attatched to it.

1. Remove the (4) skid plate bolts.
2. Remove the (5) lower bumper plastic piece.
3. Locate the trim clips and remove with your handy removal tools. Flathead screwdriver will work, you just gotta work at it.
4. Remove the front plastic piece carefully.You might break some of the clips, or some of them will stay attached to the bumper itself. It's whatever but you can get some on Amazon if you want to.
5. Mark the original location of the bumper nuts... and then unscrew them to almost off the bolt. If fully removing bumper just take the whole thing off. You may have to undo some wires if you have a Lariat with the cruise control detector thingy, I dunno... I cheaped out with an XLT.

Step 2: Front Crash Bar Removal (This part is easy... however the rear ain't.)

1. Remove the (2) bolts holding the front crash bars in place way. Turn your wheels, it'll help you get back there easier.
2. Slide it out! Hammer back and forward if needed but it'll come out.
3. Congratulations, you took out your front crash bars. Now... let me tell you; the rear is A LOT more difficult. It's not very fun.

Step 3: Rear Crash Bar Removal (Be patient with this.)

1. Remove phillips trim clips from the inner fender liner.
2. Remove phillips trim clips from the fender flares... if you have them I don't know what it looks like if you don't have factory flares.
3. Remove the torx screw at the very bottom rear of the fender flare. Lay on the ground and look up, you'll see it.
4. Pull the flare out to completely remove it. Do so gently, don't break any tabs!
5. Pull the fender liner out and get it out of the way.
6. Unbolt the plastic black box that is directly above the crash bar bolts. Or, you can just the cut corner off of it right above the bolt.
7. Remove the crash bar bolts.
8. Slide the crash bar out... a piece of metal may be in the way. Bend it to get it out of the way. Don't worry about scratching it, you won't see it when the liner is covering it.
9. Congratulations, you took out the rear crash bars. Mission accomplished.

Step 4: Put it all back together.

1. Reverse all steps

Questions? Just ask.

Don't know where something is?
Bumper Related
Fender Flare Related
The Little Plastic Box Related (Rear Crash Bars)
More Images

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[Todd Chapin]

I've looked around, and I haven't found a full guide on how to remove crash bars in a Ranger. So, here's my step by step guide.

This link includes a lot of pictures if you can't find something.

What do I need?
- Sockets & Ratchets of Course
- Torx Bits
- Trim Removal Tools
- Phillips & Flathead Screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Patience


Step 1: Bumper Removal
- Note: You really don't need to fully remove the bumper. It can sit on the bolts you just gotta take off the nuts for it to slide out enough to get clearence for the crash bar to slide out. Whatever is easier for you. I just slid it out enough and didn't fully unmount it since I have lightbars attatched to it.

1. Remove the (4) skid plate bolts.
2. Remove the (5) lower bumper plastic piece.
3. Locate the trim clips and remove with your handy removal tools. Flathead screwdriver will work, you just gotta work at it.
4. Remove the front plastic piece carefully.You might break some of the clips, or some of them will stay attached to the bumper itself. It's whatever but you can get some on Amazon if you want to.
5. Mark the original location of the bumper nuts... and then unscrew them to almost off the bolt. If fully removing bumper just take the whole thing off. You may have to undo some wires if you have a Lariat with the cruise control detector thingy, I dunno... I cheaped out with an XLT.

Step 2: Front Crash Bar Removal (This part is easy... however the rear ain't.)

1. Remove the (2) bolts holding the front crash bars in place way. Turn your wheels, it'll help you get back there easier.
2. Slide it out! Hammer back and forward if needed but it'll come out.
3. Congratulations, you took out your front crash bars. Now... let me tell you; the rear is A LOT more difficult. It's not very fun.

Step 3: Rear Crash Bar Removal (Be patient with this.)

1. Remove phillips trim clips from the inner fender liner.
2. Remove phillips trim clips from the fender flares... if you have them I don't know what it looks like if you don't have factory flares.
3. Remove the torx screw at the very bottom rear of the fender flare. Lay on the ground and look up, you'll see it.
4. Pull the flare out to completely remove it. Do so gently, don't break any tabs!
5. Pull the fender liner out and get it out of the way.
6. Unbolt the plastic black box that is directly above the crash bar bolts. Or, you can just the corner off of it right above the bolt.
7. Remove the crash bar bolts.
8. Slide the crash bar out... a piece of metal may be in the way. Bend it to get it out of the way. Don't worry about scratching it, you won't see it when the liner is covering it.
9. Congratulations, you took out the rear crash bars. Mission accomplished.

Step 4: Put it all back together.

1. Reverse all steps

Questions? Just ask.

Don't know where something is?
Bumper Related
Fender Flare Related
The Little Plastic Box Related (Rear Crash Bars)
More Images

Thanks for excellent walk through. Also for reminding me why I went with 32" tires?

 

[Msfitoy]

I've looked around, and I haven't found a full guide on how to remove crash bars in a Ranger. So, here's my step by step guide.

This link includes a lot of pictures if you can't find something.

What do I need?
- Sockets & Ratchets of Course
- Torx Bits
- Trim Removal Tools
- Phillips & Flathead Screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Patience


Step 1: Bumper Removal
- Note: You really don't need to fully remove the bumper. It can sit on the bolts you just gotta take off the nuts for it to slide out enough to get clearence for the crash bar to slide out. Whatever is easier for you. I just slid it out enough and didn't fully unmount it since I have lightbars attatched to it.

1. Remove the (4) skid plate bolts.
2. Remove the (5) lower bumper plastic piece.
3. Locate the trim clips and remove with your handy removal tools. Flathead screwdriver will work, you just gotta work at it.
4. Remove the front plastic piece carefully.You might break some of the clips, or some of them will stay attached to the bumper itself. It's whatever but you can get some on Amazon if you want to.
5. Mark the original location of the bumper nuts... and then unscrew them to almost off the bolt. If fully removing bumper just take the whole thing off. You may have to undo some wires if you have a Lariat with the cruise control detector thingy, I dunno... I cheaped out with an XLT.

Step 2: Front Crash Bar Removal (This part is easy... however the rear ain't.)

1. Remove the (2) bolts holding the front crash bars in place way. Turn your wheels, it'll help you get back there easier.
2. Slide it out! Hammer back and forward if needed but it'll come out.
3. Congratulations, you took out your front crash bars. Now... let me tell you; the rear is A LOT more difficult. It's not very fun.

Step 3: Rear Crash Bar Removal (Be patient with this.)

1. Remove phillips trim clips from the inner fender liner.
2. Remove phillips trim clips from the fender flares... if you have them I don't know what it looks like if you don't have factory flares.
3. Remove the torx screw at the very bottom rear of the fender flare. Lay on the ground and look up, you'll see it.
4. Pull the flare out to completely remove it. Do so gently, don't break any tabs!
5. Pull the fender liner out and get it out of the way.
6. Unbolt the plastic black box that is directly above the crash bar bolts. Or, you can just the cut corner off of it right above the bolt.
7. Remove the crash bar bolts.
8. Slide the crash bar out... a piece of metal may be in the way. Bend it to get it out of the way. Don't worry about scratching it, you won't see it when the liner is covering it.
9. Congratulations, you took out the rear crash bars. Mission accomplished.

Step 4: Put it all back together.

1. Reverse all steps

Questions? Just ask.

Don't know where something is?
Bumper Related
Fender Flare Related
The Little Plastic Box Related (Rear Crash Bars)
More Images

Thanks for the great write up! I explained a similar process in my build but not as detailed as you did...the difference is that I didn't remove my front bumper...I loosened it enough and rocked one side forward enough to clear that side's bar and opposite for other side...the rear was done similar to your process...

 

[tygr2007]

Thanks for the great write up! I explained a similar process in my build but not as detailed as you did...the difference is that I didn't remove my front bumper...I loosened it enough and rocked one side forward enough to clear that side's bar and opposite for other side...the rear was done similar to your process...

Yup! I did the exact same. Just loosening it enough ??

 

[Zaph]

Too Long, Didn't Read.

Just kidding, nice write-up

 

[Frenchy]

I would recommend not doing such. There is a reason the Crash Bars are there. If they are not there and you get into a lovely front end collision you have a much higher chance of having the wheel and tire coming up into the passenger compartment and taking hold of your personal parts. You might be able to get away with it if using aftermarket crash bars, but without the testing involved it is hard to say how.well they will do the job.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

I would recommend not doing such. There is a reason the Crash Bars are there. If they are not there and you get into a lovely front end collision you have a much higher chance of having the wheel and tire coming up into the passenger compartment and taking hold of your personal parts. You might be able to get away with it if using aftermarket crash bars, but without the testing involved it is hard to say how.well they will do the job.

But I want to fit giant tires on my mid size truck so I can look like the rest of the bro trucks out there!

plus, who needs legs anyway when vehicles have autopilot these days anyway.

 

[Fordup]

I would recommend not doing such. There is a reason the Crash Bars are there. If they are not there and you get into a lovely front end collision you have a much higher chance of having the wheel and tire coming up into the passenger compartment and taking hold of your personal parts. You might be able to get away with it if using aftermarket crash bars, but without the testing involved it is hard to say how.well they will do the job.

Actually your insurance company can deny a claim if removed. Especially when it's documented on the internet. They definitely are not just there to limit tire size.

 

[NotBudule]

Ford does NOT like to add parts , they like to take them away , the fact that they had to add front and rear crash bars tells us the truck failed miserably in that test and the crash test dummies had their legs ? mangled somewhat ?, any future owners should be made aware at the very least ...

 

[Lady Grey]

Tyler,

Thank you for the excellent write-up! I followed your steps and everything worked out great. It took about 6-ish hours, going slow and being thorough. I was hesitant at first to make this alteration, but the ReadyLift replacement beams actually look sturdier than the OEM bars. Or maybe I am just telling myself this to feel all warm and fuzzy ?.

Best,

Pauline

 

[9zero1790]

I've looked around, and I haven't found a full guide on how to remove crash bars in a Ranger. So, here's my step by step guide.

This link includes a lot of pictures if you can't find something.

What do I need?
- Sockets & Ratchets of Course
- Torx Bits
- Trim Removal Tools
- Phillips & Flathead Screwdrivers
- Hammer
- Patience


Step 1: Bumper Removal
- Note: You really don't need to fully remove the bumper. It can sit on the bolts you just gotta take off the nuts for it to slide out enough to get clearence for the crash bar to slide out. Whatever is easier for you. I just slid it out enough and didn't fully unmount it since I have lightbars attatched to it.

1. Remove the (4) skid plate bolts.
2. Remove the (5) lower bumper plastic piece.
3. Locate the trim clips and remove with your handy removal tools. Flathead screwdriver will work, you just gotta work at it.
4. Remove the front plastic piece carefully.You might break some of the clips, or some of them will stay attached to the bumper itself. It's whatever but you can get some on Amazon if you want to.
5. Mark the original location of the bumper nuts... and then unscrew them to almost off the bolt. If fully removing bumper just take the whole thing off. You may have to undo some wires if you have a Lariat with the cruise control detector thingy, I dunno... I cheaped out with an XLT.

Step 2: Front Crash Bar Removal (This part is easy... however the rear ain't.)

1. Remove the (2) bolts holding the front crash bars in place way. Turn your wheels, it'll help you get back there easier.
2. Slide it out! Hammer back and forward if needed but it'll come out.
3. Congratulations, you took out your front crash bars. Now... let me tell you; the rear is A LOT more difficult. It's not very fun.

Step 3: Rear Crash Bar Removal (Be patient with this.)

1. Remove phillips trim clips from the inner fender liner.
2. Remove phillips trim clips from the fender flares... if you have them I don't know what it looks like if you don't have factory flares.
3. Remove the torx screw at the very bottom rear of the fender flare. Lay on the ground and look up, you'll see it.
4. Pull the flare out to completely remove it. Do so gently, don't break any tabs!
5. Pull the fender liner out and get it out of the way.
6. Unbolt the plastic black box that is directly above the crash bar bolts. Or, you can just the cut corner off of it right above the bolt.
7. Remove the crash bar bolts.
8. Slide the crash bar out... a piece of metal may be in the way. Bend it to get it out of the way. Don't worry about scratching it, you won't see it when the liner is covering it.
9. Congratulations, you took out the rear crash bars. Mission accomplished.

Step 4: Put it all back together.

1. Reverse all steps

Questions? Just ask.

Don't know where something is?
Bumper Related
Fender Flare Related
The Little Plastic Box Related (Rear Crash Bars)
More Images

I like that you included patience! it for sure needs it. Those crash bars are a booger.

 

[tygr2007]

Tyler,

Thank you for the excellent write-up! I followed your steps and everything worked out great. It took about 6-ish hours, going slow and being thorough. I was hesitant at first to make this alteration, but the ReadyLift replacement beams actually look sturdier than the OEM bars. Or maybe I am just telling myself this to feel all warm and fuzzy ?.

Best,

Pauline

Glad to hear everything turned out well. ??

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