My ARB bumper/Warn winch install (with pics)

[nickw]

Well my ARB bumper finally cleared customs.
Customs had it for 2 months.

The before shot with the aftermarket bumper that came with the truck (now for sale):


There was some debate on the 80 series chat as to whether a ARB in its packing will fit inside the 80.
Well here is the answer. Yes it will, but its tight. It almost kinda looks like a body wrapped up back there.
I think the shipping weight on the ARB was 130lbs packed. I loaded it myself without much problems.


Aftermarket bumper off:


Stock Bumper off. The plastic rim that goes between the stock bumper and the body also has to come off.


The brackets have to come off that hold the stock bumper on. Even the tow hooks have to come off:


Here is my new ARB. Ain't she pretty:
The ARB slides on right over the frame rails. It uses six 1/2-inch round bolts per side.
It's not going anywhere.


Here it is on my truck. Still have to put my Hella lights back on. It was getting late and my friend who help was getting tired. I forgot to take pics of the winch install. Sorry. :( We were both quite busy. Right now I just have the hause fairlead. I am going to go order a roller fairlead tomorrow. The new ARB turn signals were very easy to install. It came with everything needed to tie into the existing system without making a mess of it. They really help visability when turning. Allthough my HDJ81 does have side turn markers too.


Another shot:


Total install time was about 2.5 hours. We were taking our time, and yaking a lot.
Everything bolted off and bolted on smoothly. It was a cake walk.

Cheers,
Nick

[crushers]

looks nice Nick,
congrates

[mot]

Nick,

Looks nice!

Now you can drive with no (OK, less) fear in case someone/thing jumps in front of you.

Congrats!

Mot

[harveya]

Nice one Nick.

I had the same worry that you had about getting my OEM winch bumper in the back of the truck, with winch and the light bar and the bash plate. All fitted OK however the bumper is a bit tight cos of the length.

The ARB bumpers look nice and certainly make the front end of the Bruiser look pretty invulnerable.

[bigbrowndog]

Looks like a dinki di aussie cruiser , congrats, now to find a roo to test it on LOL.

[Gold Boy]

Originally Posted by bigbrowndog

Looks like a dinki di aussie cruiser , congrats, now to find a roo to test it on LOL.

Good day! Pommy here...

This is what we like to test our bumpers on, we call them moose. "Moo not roo"

GB

Great bumper job Nick....

[nickw]

Thanks guys.
I really like it.

But the thing sure sticks out alot in the front.
Really kills the approach angle.
All though my back still sticks out more.

Also, what do people do to lock the winch in to stop people from stealing it?
I was thinking of putting a tack weld on two of the bolts.

The ARB also sure open up my rad to sticks. Any cheap skid plates out there to help protect. Otherwise I will just custom make one.

Cheers,
Nick

[nickw]

Originally Posted by Gold Boy

Good day! Pommy here...

This is what we like to test our bumpers on, we call them moose. "Moo not roo"

GB

Great bumper job Nick....

That moose go though the glass.
Did a goole search and found this:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/moose.asp
The driver walked away with a broken wrist. Very lucky.


I don't want to be hitting a moose anytime soon.
The ARB is only going to break its legs.
It will still come in the windshied, and I will be dead!.

I don't even want to hit an elk. An elk is still probably to big. Most dear would be okay now, depending on how it hit. But around here I am most likly to hit an elk, so I still ought to be careful.

Cheers,
Nick

[light_duty]

Nick, that looks killer. Nice job. Looking forward to seeing it up close and personal.

Robin

[Gold Boy]

Originally Posted by nickw

That moose go though the glass.
Did a goole search and found this:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/moose.asp
The driver walked away with a broken wrist. Very lucky.


I don't want to be hitting a moose anytime soon.
The ARB is only going to break its legs.
It will still come in the windshied, and I will be dead!.

I don't even want to hit an elk. An elk is still probably to big. Most dear would be okay now, depending on how it hit. But around here I am most likly to hit an elk, so I still ought to be careful.

Cheers,
Nick

The driver survived with minor scratches and a broken wrist....

GB

Its good to avoid a moose at all times..

[LandyLover]

Interesting thread. I purchased my ARB yesterday and today Im trying to fit my 12000 lbs worm gear into it. I've mocked it up and it looks to me like I'll have a 1/4" between the grille and the winch - a little tight. I've thought of just welding the bumper on, but around 3/4" out from where its supposed to go. The problem is, if I get my cable a little lop sided as it comes in, I will destroy some sheet metal! Anyhow, do you have a picture(s) showing how the winch fits in the bumper and how far it is from your grille?

Cheers

[nickw]

Great, thank Gold Boy, now you have me searching google for more moose collisions! Thanks. I have hijacked my own thread.

Here is another:


Cheers,
Nick

[nickw]

Originally Posted by light_duty

Nick, that looks killer. Nice job. Looking forward to seeing it up close and personal.

Robin

For sure Robin. You will have to come see it.
Then we can go wheeling together.
Try and let me know when you are coming. I am busy most weekends.
But if I know you are coming, I can make sure I have it off.

Cheers,
Nick

[nickw]

Originally Posted by LandyLover

Interesting thread. I purchased my ARB yesterday and today Im trying to fit my 12000 lbs worm gear into it. I've mocked it up and it looks to me like I'll have a 1/4" between the grille and the winch - a little tight. I've thought of just welding the bumper on, but around 3/4" out from where its supposed to go. The problem is, if I get my cable a little lop sided as it comes in, I will destroy some sheet metal! Anyhow, do you have a picture(s) showing how the winch fits in the bumper and how far it is from your grille?

Cheers

I have LOTS of room between the bumper and winch. Maybe 3-4 inches? I will take pics tonight. If you have time you also might want to fab up a skid plate for the bottom. There is now a big gap where you could hit a stick. I am going to try and make one of find one.

Landy, where are you in the Okanagan?
I am coming out this weekend. My Dad is getting remarried. I will in in Kamloops friday and half of saturday.
Then I will be driving down to Oliver to visit my mom. I will be there for the other half of Saturday and half of Sunday.
Maybe we could get together?

Cheers,
Nick

[crushers]

Originally Posted by nickw

Also, what do people do to lock the winch in to stop people from stealing it?
I was thinking of putting a tack weld on two of the bolts.
Cheers,
Nick

tack welds work, just put them where you can get a grinder in should you need to service the winch...

[LandyLover]

Sent you a PM.

[Gold Boy]

Nick

Yes tack welds work great.... If you need a welder, you can use mine...

GB

[nickw]

Originally Posted by Gold Boy

Nick

Yes tack welds work great.... If you need a welder, you can use mine...

GB

Thanks for the offer, but I should be good.
I have access to many different welders.


PM me your number and I will give you a call.
We can try and figure out when we can get together this weekend.

Cheers,
Nick

[nickw]

Also, note to others who may be installing there ARB turn signals.

The BROWN wire from the ARB lighting taps into the GREEN wire from factory light.

This is how it was for my HDJ81. The gas 80 harness might be different.
Also, make sure you tap into the wire before the plug. Then if you ever sawp the factory light unit, you don't have to rewire.


Cheers,
Nick

[Tapage]

nice NIck very nice .. I'm jelaous ..

[swixtt]

Hey Nick,
the install looks awesome on your truck. is that a used winch you found?

well i can't wait to see this and go for a drive with you sometime. how about today?

later

[nickw]

Originally Posted by swixtt

Hey Nick,
the install looks awesome on your truck. is that a used winch you found?

well i can't wait to see this and go for a drive with you sometime. how about today?

later

Yeah thats the used Warn I bought.

Maybe a test drive tonight. I will call you later.
I am going to be working late again.

I bought a Warn roller fairlead today at Lordco.
I want to install it on tonight, as well as my Hella lights.
Not sure if I will have time though.

I will take pics of the roller fairlead install.
The Warn fairlead does not look like a straight bolt up.
I have to drill some new holes in the fairlead, and get some bolts for the fairlead to bolt to the top of the bumper.
Will take pics.

Cheers,
Nick

[nickw]

Okay. I put my roller fairlead on tonight.
I had to drill new holes in the fairlead so it would fit in the right spot.

The stock holes were 35mm out.
Will take pics soon. I did not have time to go home and get my digital camera. I had to go straight to the shop after work. Now I am home and have to get changed out of my grubby cloths and go back to work.
I can't wait until I am caught up at work.

Cheers,
Nick

[swixtt]

Originally Posted by nickw

Okay. I put my roller fairlead on tonight.
I had to drill new holes in the fairlead so it would fit in the right spot.

The stock holes were 35mm out.
Will take pics soon. I did not have time to go home and get my digital camera. I had to go straight to the shop after work. Now I am home and have to get changed out of my grubby cloths and go back to work.
I can't wait until I am caught up at work.

Cheers,
Nick

dedication!! man you are working overtime!!

must be a big project.... good luck!

[nickw]

Originally Posted by swixtt

dedication!! man you are working overtime!!

must be a big project.... good luck!

Yeah, I am working lots.
Sorry I never called you. I forgot until about 10pm.
Maybe we can get togther sometime next week?

Cheers,
Nick