Aries Automotive 2065 User Manual

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

GRILLE GUARD

06-13 TOYOTA RAV4

GRILLE GUARD

(2)

06-13 TOYOTA RAV4

PARTS LIST:

Qty Description Qty Description

1 Grille Guard 12 12mm x 32mm OD x 3mm Flat Washers
1 Driver/Left Frame Mounting Bracket 6 12mm Lock Washers
1 Passenger/Right Frame Mounting Bracket 6 12mm Hex Nuts
2 Bent Top Support Brackets (06-12 only) 2 6-1.0mm x 30mm Hex Bolts

Driver/Left Flat Top Support Bracket (2013

1

only) 2 6-1.0mm x 25mm Button Head Screws
Passenger/Right Flat Top Support Bracket

1

(2013 only) 2 6mm x 22mm OD x 2mm STD Flat Washers
2 6mm Nut Plates 2 6mm x 12mm OD x 1.6mm Small Flat Washers
6 12-1.75mm x 35mm Hex Bolts 4 6mm Lock Washers

2013 Passenger side Top Bracket

2013 Driver side Top Bracket

(2) 06-12 Top Brackets

6mm Nut Plates

Passenger side
Frame Bracket

Driver side
Frame Bracket

PROCEDURE:

1. REMOVE CONTENTS FROM BOX. VERIFY ALL PARTS ARE PRESENT. READ INSTRUCTIONS

CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION. CUTTING IS REQUIRED. ASSISTANCE IS
RECOMMENDED.

2. Starting under the front of the vehicle, remove the plastic splash guard and place it on a clean, stable

work area. IMPORTANT: Pay close attention to the location of all of the two-piece plastic clips and
screws to make reinstallation easier. Use a small flat blade screwdriver to gently pry up the plastic
center pin to release the clips and remove the center pin and the plastic housing.

3. Locate the (4) factory hex bolts securing each end of the crossmember to the frame, (Figure 1). NOTE:

Only install one Mounting Bracket at a time and only remove the (3) factory hex bolts required for
Bracket installation, (Figure 1). Select the driver side Frame Mounting Bracket, (Figure 2A). Bolt the
Bracket in position using the factory hex bolts, (Figure 2B). Snug the hardware but do not tighten at
this time. Repeat this Step for the passenger side Mounting Bracket installation.

4. Open the front hood. Select the correct procedure for model year.

06 – 12 Models:

Move to the top of the grille and remove the plastic panel covering the opening between the
grille and the radiator, (Figure 3). NOTE: See Figure 4A & 4B to determine the correct
procedure to release the retaining clips on the plastic panel.

2006 – 08 Models: Use a small flat blade screwdriver to gently pry up the center pin to release,
(Figure 4A).
2009 – 12 Models: Press the center button down to release, (Figure 4B).

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GRILLE GUARD

06-13 TOYOTA RAV4

Remove the plastic clip attaching the grille to the steel crossmember. Select (1) Bent Top
Support Bracket, (Figure 5A). Cover any surface on the Bracket with removable tape, (masking
tape for example), that may contact the vehicle to protect the finish.
Slide the Top Support Bracket under the rubber hood seal, (Figure 5C). Line up the hole in the
Bracket with the hole in the grille crossmember. Insert (1) 6mm Nut Plate, (Figure 5B), down
and into the opening behind the grille and hold it up against the underside of the steel
crossmember, (Figure 5C).
Line up the threaded hole in the Nut Plate with the hole in the Support Bracket. Bolt the Bracket
to the Nut Plate with (1) 6mm x 25mm Hex Bolt, (1) 6mm Lock Washer and (1) 6mm x 22mm
OD x 2mm STD Flat Washer, (Figure 6). Repeat this Step for the passenger side Top Support
Bracket installation.

2013 Models:

Remove the screw-on rubber bumper from the top of the grille on the driver side, (Figure 7).
Select the driver side Flat Top Support Bracket, (Figure 8A). Cover any surface on the Bracket
with removable tape, (masking tape for example), that may contact the vehicle to protect the
finish. Slide the Top Support Bracket under the rubber hood seal and line up the hole in the
Bracket with the threaded hole in the top of the grille, (Figure 8B).
Bolt the Top Bracket to the top of the grille with (1) 6mm x 25mm Hex Bolt, (1) 6mm Lock
Washer and (1) 6mm x 22mm OD x 2mm STD Flat Washer, (Figure 9). Repeat this Step for the
passenger side Top Support Bracket installation.

5. With assistance, place the Grille Guard face down on a clean surface in front of the vehicle, (Figure

10). NOTE: Use the packing materials to protect the finish on the Grille Guard. Slide the Grille Guard

up to the outside of the Frame Mounting Brackets. Attach the Grille Guard to the rear holes in the
Frame Mounting Brackets with (2) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolts, (4) 12mm Flat Washers, (2) 12mm Lock
Washers and (2) 12mm Hex Nuts, (Figure 10). Tilt the Grille Guard up and into position. Insert the
remaining (4) 12mm x 35mm Hex Bolts, (8) 12mm Flat Washers, (4) 12mm Lock Washers and (4)
12mm Hex Nuts into the Grille Guard and Frame Mounting Brackets. Snug hardware but do not fully
tighten at this time.

6. Next, push the Grille Guard into position to meet the Top Support Brackets. Secure the Grille Guard to

the Top Support Brackets with (2) 6mm x 25mm Button Head Screws, (2) 6mm x 12mm Small Flat
Washers and (2) 6mm Lock Washers. (Figure 11).

7. Level and adjust the Grille Guard and tighten all Frame Bracket to chassis hardware only. Temporarily

remove the Grille Guard. Hold the plastic splash guard up into position against the Frame Brackets.
Mark the location of the Brackets onto the cover. Carefully cut the splash guard only enough to clear
the Frame Brackets, (Figure 12). Do not cut completely through the front edge of the cover. Do not cut
off any mounting locations from the cover. To maintain strength, cut only material that is required to
clear the Frame Mounting Brackets. Once cut and trimmed for clearance, slide the splash guard over
the Brackets but do not reinstall.

8. Reinstall the Grille Guard as described in Steps 5 – 7. Adjust and fully tighten all hardware. Reattach

the lower splash guard using the factory hardware.

9. Slowly close the hood to check for clearance between the Grille Guard, Top Support Brackets and the

hood. Align and adjust as required to completely close the hood. NOTE: It may be necessary to remove
the Top Support Brackets and adjust the bends to fit properly. Once completely adjusted, tighten all
hardware at this time.
06 – 12 only: Once the hood and/or Brackets are properly adjusted, reinstall the plastic panel between
the grille and the radiator using the factory hardware, (Figure 3).

10. Do periodic inspections to the installation to make sure that all hardware is secure and tight.

To protect your investment, wax this product after installing. Regular waxing is recommended to add a protective layer
over the finish. Do not use any type of polish or wax that may contain abrasives that could damage the finish.
For stainless steel: Aluminum polish may be used to polish small scratches and scuffs on the finish. Mild soap may be

used also to clean the Grille Guard.
For gloss black finishes: Mild soap may be used to clean the Grille Guard.

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