Before the ARB Front Bar work:

lasalsa · 05-15-08, 08:33 PM

Fellow Enthusiasts:

- 03 100 with 57K miles. Have been thinking for a while to add the ARB front Bar.

My concern is the added weight to the front. I don't want it to be looking like it's sagging. I'm planning on beefing up the Shocks and replacing the OEM tires that it came with.

Which way to go with the Shocks and Tires?

Pretty much a Concrete Jungle truck with a little potential to go to the country in the future but still want the aggressive look.

Help me spend my Stimulous Check..

spressomon · 05-15-08, 09:12 PM

If you are not going with a winch in your new ARB front bumper you can get by with just adjusting the t-bars for additional lift (if you are going to lift you will probably want to go with a longer shock too). Or you can swap the OEM t-bars with OME t-bars for stiffer spring rate.

fish2live · 05-15-08, 11:19 PM

lasalsa - I JUST did this on my '03 100 - added a Sahara Bar, dual batteries and a M12K Warn winch (a BIG sucker at 136#).

Here is how it went... I started with HB Bilstein's last year upon the advice of MANY a mud member - LOVE THOSE SHOCKS - they are awesome!!!! Then added 32" Bridgestone Revo's and the front went up about 1/2". Added the battery, winch and bumper - truck went down 1". Cranked the stock T-Bars and up she came about 1.5" and I really like the way it sits now - dead even with the back (stock was slightly down in the front). I could have cranked the front another 1" easily but it looked strange with the front a bit higher than the back and bad for the CV joints. I think the Bilsteins and the stock T-Bars handle the extra weight up front just fine - no lean and not much dipping on braking at all.

I must say for my use (daily driver and light/moderate trails) so far I really really like it. She still rides really smooth on the road but the lean is totally gone in the corners (thanks to the Bilsteins). It has a slight overall lift from the tires and T-Bars. Next is to go with 33" Cooper Discoverer S/T tires and that will give it another slight lift of about 1/2" all around. The Revo's are amazing tires on the road but a little tame for me. I think I'll be really happy with that stance of the truck for some time to come.

I've read more than just a couple posts where people like the Bilsteins over the OME - BUT, the OME is way more popular as it's in the complete lift kit along with the T-Bars and springs. A lot of guys love that set-up and I read nothing but good things... but if you're not off road a lot think about Bilstein's and cranking the T-Bars.

lasalsa · 05-16-08, 01:16 PM

Thanks Fish..

I'll go price the HD's and the Tires and see what I come up with.

ANY PICS?

fish2live · 05-19-08, 06:42 PM

got mine on eBay - local Goodyear dealer wanted $200 EACH!! Crazy...

These guys were great..

eBay Motors: BILSTEIN SHOCKS TOYOTA LANDCRUISER LAND CRUISER 98 - 05 (item 320245145448 end time May-27-08 00:21:55 PDT)

I'll try to get pics uploaded for you

fish2live · 05-25-08, 11:15 PM

sorry for the delayed pics lasalsa....

I lifted the front again by cranking the t-bars a bit more. I think it's actually pretty level now. I'd say I put it up about 2" but then the bumper and winch brought it down to about a 1.5" lift....

oh, and those are 32" Bridgestone REVO's - next tire will be 33" Cooper Discoverer ST's

side trim is being painted body color in 2 weeks.

TXLX470 · 05-26-08, 12:44 AM

I think now you need big tires...285 Nitto's would real nice...any plans??

fish2live · 05-26-08, 10:56 AM

plans? did you say PLANS???

yep - 37" swampers and a 4 inch lift!!

not really...

Going to go with 33" (275/70/18) Cooper Discovery ST's
Cooper Tires - -

dclee · 05-26-08, 12:37 PM

I ran just the ARB Deluxe Combo bar for a while. Cranked up the t-bars and it was OK. I did notice a bit more brake dive and it did affect the handling a bit, but overall not too bad. But once I added the winch, I felt there was no choice but to upgrade the t-bars as well. This thread shows some pics of the bumper/winch install:

pics of the lift and ARB bumper/winch finally installed!

fish2live · 05-26-08, 03:42 PM

dclee - was that with the stock shocks?

I'd imaging that would surely be the case with the stock shocks and stock t-bars. I have the stock T-bars cranked but ALSO have the Heavy Duty Bilsteins. Even with the ARB bar AND the monster M12 winch I don't get any major diving upon braking or heavy leaning - it actually rides and handles pretty darn good.

dclee · 05-26-08, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish2live

dclee - was that with the stock shocks?

Good point, that was with the stock shocks. Still, for that much weight I would still want increased spring rate. That's ultimately what determines everything, the shocks just damp the bouncing of the spring.

fish2live · 05-26-08, 07:37 PM

no doubt the OME T-bars would be better - but I'd argue the stock T-bars and HD Bilsteins ride quite good and would be acceptable to many

dclee · 05-26-08, 10:24 PM

Yup, that's the beauty of these things, to each their own!

lasalsa · 05-27-08, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish2live

sorry for the delayed pics lasalsa....

I lifted the front again by cranking the t-bars a bit more. I think it's actually pretty level now. I'd say I put it up about 2" but then the bumper and winch brought it down to about a 1.5" lift....

oh, and those are 32" Bridgestone REVO's - next tire will be 33" Cooper Discoverer ST's

side trim is being painted body color in 2 weeks.

Looks Good ..

Damn front sticks out about another 10 inches. I guess I'm gonna have to move the freezer out from the Garage when I get the ARB.

Cant wait ...

Thanks,