Hi Y'all,
Just want to give anyone considering bolting up a Westin Sportsman mod. 40-0885 brush guard to their '04 Ranger a little heads up.

The online installation PDF instructions that you download from Westin and retailers use the older mounting system. So ... What you get in the box is a different set of brackets, which I'd say are a better mounting system and even though Westin does send along a one sheet revised instruction, with a couple low res. pictures, there is NO illustration or picture of the upper support.

You'll have to look at these strange shaped brackets and figure out where they mount. That part ain't rocket science. But when it comes to bolting up that upper bracket to the frame cross member, I had to run to town for a couple 2.5 inch, 3/8 hi grade bolts and then rummage around my hardware boxes for a few large ( 2 1/2 inch ) washers. In other words, I had to do some improvising to make it work.

This took me, at least twice as long as it should have taken for the install.. Like 5 hours.. ( Some of which was hunting thru my misc.hardware boxes :-)

If anyone has had this same issue, reply and let me know.
If anyone needs a picture or two to help with their installation, let me know and I'll post some.
Good luck with all your endeavors.
the whistler

 

post some pics dude for the people lol. i just cut one of those brush guards all the hell to fit my 94

 

The first picture is of the brackets that came with the 40-0885 Sportsman Guard.

The second is the upper support bracket coming out above the bumper, connecting to the guard vertical.

Third pix is the main bracket configuration mounting to the frame.

Third is the upper support bracket in relation to the main frame bracket.

Fourth is driver side upper bracket bolting to cross member. This is where I had the most problems, cuz there was no documentation.
I had to buy a couple 2 & 1/2 inch bolts. ( 3 inch = better ) and place a large washer ( not supplied ) over the approx. 1 1/2" by 2" hole
that was in this cross member, to support the washer, lock washer & nut...
...also ... This cross member hole originally (OEM) has a 3/8" x 1 1/4" bolt from the front, that secures a bracket that holds the bumper on...
You need to take this bold out and replace it with the 2 1/2" store bought bolt.

 

Last picture ... finished assembly...
The Westin Guard is very well made & once assembled is very sturdy..
I LIKE IT !!

Now, just to get a coat of wax on the guard to protect the finish ...
and hook up the driving lights.

 

i just got one off of craigslist. it came off of a 2003 but it had to have been bought later. i downloaded the instructions and it looks like i have everything, but my hardware doesn't look like your hardware.....so i'm assuming i have the older hardware. i cleaned the rust off and painted all the hardware, in your opinion should i buy the newer hardware. i'm getting the guard rhino lined so i'm waiting to put it on anyway. thanks

 

I have a brush guard that is missing the brackets to mount it to the truck that I bought off of Craigslist. 2, 3, and 4 is the truck that it was mounted on with a body lift without any brackets to connect it to the frame right.