Any regret with ARB bumper?

[NLXTACY]

The ARB isn't that heavy and is good for running over wildlife. Not so much for wheeling, who thought an air dam would be a good idea on an off road bumper?!

Yeah that is pretty dumb. It was the first pieces to get shaved off.

 

[Dork]

The fact that it's the "go-to" bumper for LCs should be a good reason to not get it. Build your own, or find a hobby welder to do it for you. It's boring when every vehicle has the exact same kit.

Starts to look like a Jeep gathering where they all have the same Smittybilt stuff on them.

 

[retrofive]

I agree. I ran a MT bumper for years and like it a lot... for a tube bumper and cost. If not that then on the upper side of cost Slee hands down. With that said I really like my 4x4 labs bumper.

 

[jeremy56]

Well I do prefer the look of ARB over slee but if I could get the large hoop on slee I'd probably lean that way because they are in CO.
I may just put a few gussets on ARB, it's a shame you would need to strengthen something almost $1k ...Chinese steel?

 

[NLXTACY]

Well I do prefer the look of ARB over slee but if I could get the large hoop on slee I'd probably lean that way because they are in CO.
I may just put a few gussets on ARB, it's a shame you would need to strengthen something almost $1k ...Chinese steel?

No I believe its for crash ratings. Bumpers should have a certain amount of give or else ALL of the impact just gets transferred to the rest of the truck AND the occupants.

 

[LINUS]

To me the best of both worlds would be a Slee Shortbus with the 2 side hoops reworked to be a full hoop that was ARB shaped.

And it would need to fit either a Warn M12K or the Zeon12K - the fact it won't fit a M12K is the biggest reason I don't have a Shortbus. Per Christo on the fit.

I'd kick my stocker ARB down to my other 80 for that.

@sleeoffroad - what you say? A Shortbus that has room for the 12K Warns, and secondarily the full hoop.

I'd prepay for one of those, seriously.

 

[alia176]

Only regret buying the third one .... cause it folded just as easy as the first two

View attachment 1369124

Its a good bumper. The standard for the 80 as you say. Will pay for itself with the first animal strike likely.

My only complaint is on the trail or in the rocks the wings deform much easier than others. Easy to bend and a pain to straighten.

So, THAT'S how I need to bring the wings downward about 1/4". I've landed on both sides fair amount during my ownership so it's time to bring them down a tad.

 

[Fosters]

My shiny new dobinson

 

[sleepycruiser]

My shiny new dobinson

Do you have a link to that particular bumper?

 

[Fosters]

Dobinsons Front winch bumper options

 

[sleepycruiser]

Thanks...their site was down and then I found that. Any idea on the weight?

 

[Fosters]

About the same as the arb...however installing is much easier due to a separate winch cradle and bumper horn mount arrangement which mean you are not hefting the entire assembly onto the frame horns in one go...plus there is bumper filler plates that mount beneath the wings and front bumper...stiffens up the entire package and adds a little more protection...

 

[Jay-]

I had bad body roll with ARB bumper and needed nitrichargers and OME springs.
17 years on my 80 I have not challenged any bull elks or donkeys.

 

[Andrew Bluemel]

You know it was pretty funny. After reading this thread earlier today i was on the way home from getting gas this evening (where else would I take it) and a deer jumped out in front of me and I came so close to hitting it. It was the first time I ever got the wheels to chirp on braking. Crazy the timing and definitely makes me think about after market bumpers a little more.

 

[Tapage]

I took the ARB route over the Slee coz the look .. me like the ARB much more the hoops, the side bars it might ( is not ) not be the best metal / construction out there but IMHO it's the best looking with open clear space for your winch .. you really have the chance to see what's happening there while winching ..

 

[Heckraiser]

I agree. I ran a MT bumper for years and like it a lot... for a tube bumper and cost. If not that then on the upper side of cost Slee hands down. With that said I really like my 4x4 labs bumper.

I thought I remembered you having the MT bumper, then saw recent pictures of your rig and though I must have confused you with another member. I seem to recall some snarky comments (maybe in the "this weekend" thread) about the MT bumper not being strong enough? Full review please, you can PM me if you like.

 

[jwilliams]

I've had ARB bumpers for 17 years. On a Jeep TJ, Land Rover DII, and now on my FZJ80. Their powder coat is a thing of amazement to me. It is very tough. I think a front bumper choice coincides with what type of wheeling you usually do. As for looks, I think that is up for the owner to decide. I do not have any regret sticking with the ARB.

 

[Heckraiser]

I always have trouble searching for this guy, can't remember his name. But this is my favorite modified ARB. Yes, it takes away some of the deer-bashing functionality, but looks freaking amazing. He documented his bumper mods on t4r.org and this took a lot of work

 

[mingles]

My shiny new dobinson

That is a nice looking bumper and in reading/looking through their site I think I will choose that over the ARB. It looks more "finished" to me than the ARB.

Three questions:

1. Could you take a close up photo of the stock tow/tie-down loop and how it interfaces with the bumper? From the photos on their site I wasn't clear if you still had unrestricted access to the stock loops.
2. Did you happen to see if the Deluxe version with the inset fog lights was available for the 80? I think I would choose that over the Classic.
3. The turn signal/marker lights look split (white/yellow). Is it really two separate lights within the same housing? Is there just a bare pigtail that you splice into your existing wiring?

Thanks!

 

[jeremy56]

I also like the Dobinson I wonder what shipping would be from FL to NM?
That may be yuge!
Anyone know if it fits the larger winches?
Adding custom tube to slee may be cheaper then Dobson after shipping.
Also can anyone chime in on approach angle on ARB/Dob vs. Slee? It looks like Slee is much steeper.