any really pro/con (i.e. safety/design issues) between the TJM or the ARB front bumpers fo das 80's? trying to decide, but really haven't seen any TJM's on here & their prices are better than ARB's ...
Any real diff's on these bumpers? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Texus
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Hey Texus, are you looking for a winch or non-winch bumper?
You might want to consider a Slee front bumper. The Slee front is built real stout and looks nice.
Vince
You might want to consider a Slee front bumper. The Slee front is built real stout and looks nice.
Vince
Texus said:
I think one VERY big difference is that the TJM's have bolt-on wings on the side, whereas the Slee or ARB are going to be a one piece unit, making it stronger ........ and I think the Slee has some protection for the AC dryer? or maybe thats a seperate piece, not sure on that one.
Most on the board will tell you if you are going to go ARB, get the winch bar, incase you decide down the road that you will be wanting a winch.
I was/am under the impression that the TJM is made of thinner/lighter and therefore weaker materials.
The general concensus is that the ARB is stronger than the TJM. Slee sells a Dryer Skid Plate that fits an ARB but not his own bumper nor the TJM. Both the TJM And the ARB are full front protection; the Slee just has the center hoop. IMHO, the Slee is the strongest of the three options and offers the best approach angles. It also has real recovery points that are much much stronger than the ARB or TJM ones. However, it's expensive to get a Slee sent out to the East Coast.
I placed a ARB winch mount bumper on my 80 two weeks ago and found it to be very nice. Installation and fit are perfect ! I have also installed a 12000 lb winch wich makes the front end heavy, I now need stifer springs (med heavyies now). No worries without the winch ! Get the ARB 
Srs ?
You might want to explore the ability to use your air bag between the two. I called ARB and they said "it should work fine, it just might go off sooner". I dont know much about the air bag (SRS) but I don't think it deploys via "crush cans". I can't speak for the TJM, I think they list it to work with the SRS, double check this. This may not be why we chosse one over another but I think this is the most important issue.
You might want to explore the ability to use your air bag between the two. I called ARB and they said "it should work fine, it just might go off sooner". I dont know much about the air bag (SRS) but I don't think it deploys via "crush cans". I can't speak for the TJM, I think they list it to work with the SRS, double check this. This may not be why we chosse one over another but I think this is the most important issue.
NorCalDoug
problems solved daily...
I have the ARB and a friend of mine picked up a TJM for free. I like the build of the ARB better -- seems more stout than the TJM. He seems to frequently bend parts of his bumper. Now...he wheels his 80 very hard, so depending on what kind of wheeling you do, this might not be so much of a factor.
One thing I don't like about the TJM is that the corner pieces of the bumper that wrap around to the fender flares are not part of the main front bumper -- they are attached on. There's a funky plastic strip that's supposed to fill the gap, but it doesn't seem to do the job as well as it should.
If it were me, I'd choose the ARB over the TJM.
One thing I don't like about the TJM is that the corner pieces of the bumper that wrap around to the fender flares are not part of the main front bumper -- they are attached on. There's a funky plastic strip that's supposed to fill the gap, but it doesn't seem to do the job as well as it should.
If it were me, I'd choose the ARB over the TJM.
I had a TJM-15 on my 4Runner--true the ARB does have heavier gauge metal--with this being said I t-boned a dumbass who cruised in front of me--the tjm lost a screw to the bumperett--the station wagon was totalled--had a crease from the front to back of the car about 12" deep. Lesson is I think the TJM is plenty strong--I would probably weld the corner parts on......
I like the looks of the TJM-17 personally over the ARB--TJM is $400
I like the looks of the TJM-17 personally over the ARB--TJM is $400
- Thread starter
- #11
Bumphers...
Thanks y'all for the advice... I'm still torn,Gringo... I do agree,I dig the TJM look more & was just thinking of welding the ends on...but want to check the airbag issue... since you (Gringo) didn't say otherwise,I assume that yours was fine... ARB is beefier I think... must find a happy medium... Gracious y'all... I still will listen to more updates on this...
Thanks y'all for the advice... I'm still torn,Gringo... I do agree,I dig the TJM look more & was just thinking of welding the ends on...but want to check the airbag issue... since you (Gringo) didn't say otherwise,I assume that yours was fine... ARB is beefier I think... must find a happy medium... Gracious y'all... I still will listen to more updates on this...
Texus said:
My airbags didn't pop--not sure if this is good or bad--My new cruiser doesn't have air bags. You could also buy the ARB and cut off the top part......somebody did that here--there is a pic somewhere...... Good luck and post up a pic when you figure it out.
TJM also requries a separate winch cradle if you plan to put a winch on.
There are no airbag-compatible 80 Series ARBs (of course, I don't have airbags, so who cares!). TJM 80 Series bars are supposed to be airbag "certified" whatever that means.
For rock crawling, get the Slee. It's the most stout, has great recovery points, and the best approach angle.
For more expedition type wheeling, get the ARB. It's got full frontal protection for animal strikes at high speed, good approach angle, and good strength. With a little ARB adapter bracket, you can also safely jack on it with a Hi-Lift.
There are no airbag-compatible 80 Series ARBs (of course, I don't have airbags, so who cares!). TJM 80 Series bars are supposed to be airbag "certified" whatever that means.
For rock crawling, get the Slee. It's the most stout, has great recovery points, and the best approach angle.
For more expedition type wheeling, get the ARB. It's got full frontal protection for animal strikes at high speed, good approach angle, and good strength. With a little ARB adapter bracket, you can also safely jack on it with a Hi-Lift.
Airbags and bumpers
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but airbags deploy because of the rapid deaccelleration (sp?) and not the actual damage from a collision. If this is the case, no matter how strong the front bumper is, the airbag should deploy. I could be all wet, this something I sorta half way remember from some 20/20 or similar tv show.
Ross
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but airbags deploy because of the rapid deaccelleration (sp?) and not the actual damage from a collision. If this is the case, no matter how strong the front bumper is, the airbag should deploy. I could be all wet, this something I sorta half way remember from some 20/20 or similar tv show.
Ross
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You are correct, and a quick search would have led you to this post where this was discussed in detail.. https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=15680
also here https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=5374
also here https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=5374
