ARB Bull-bar questions

[Combat Chuck]

Looking into one for the future, my plan is to sock away about 100 bucks out of every paycheck until I can swing the price ($900's alot of food!) but before I commit to it, I was wondering if anyone knew if the earliest-style available unit does actually fit a pre-84 pickup. It all bolts onto the frame rails via the shackles, so my biggest concern would be frame diameter up front. Anybody got the numbers of an 84's frame width, or tried fitting one of these things on a first-gen?

 

[KLF]

My opinion:

I have installed a few ARB bumpers on mini-trucks, and I had one on the front of my FJ62. They are very well made and strong. But, they stick way out and are heavy, especially on these small trucks. If you're looking for protection from 'roos and the like, there's nothing better. But if you plan to do any off-roading, they are rock magnets and you will beat the heck out of it.

 

[pistolbob]

I put a warn rock crawler on the front of my 1990 pu and it is definatley bullet proof but heavy. With the winch on it sits right around 285 lbs. I'm still unsure if I want to sell it and get a tube set up or keep it. The warn costs way less then the ARB I tell you, I paid a little over five bills for the warn. So did any of that help?

 

[arndog123]

I put a warn rock crawler on the front of my 1990 pu and it is definatley bullet proof but heavy. With the winch on it sits right around 285 lbs. I'm still unsure if I want to sell it and get a tube set up or keep it. The warn costs way less then the ARB I tell you, I paid a little over five bills for the warn. So did any of that help?

285 lbs? What size winch do you have on there? I have ARB's w/ winches on all my minis and they're no where close to that weight.

 

[Combat Chuck]

I put a warn rock crawler on the front of my 1990 pu and it is definatley bullet proof but heavy. With the winch on it sits right around 285 lbs. I'm still unsure if I want to sell it and get a tube set up or keep it. The warn costs way less then the ARB I tell you, I paid a little over five bills for the warn. So did any of that help?

285 LBS? that's unreal! are you sure?
It is a bit cheaper than the ARB, but seems only for IFS trucks, and Warn's bizarre insistence on being a primarily heep-based product line leaves more than a bad taste in my mouth.
I do really like the look of their rear bumper however...

My opinion:

I have installed a few ARB bumpers on mini-trucks, and I had one on the front of my FJ62. They are very well made and strong. But, they stick way out and are heavy, especially on these small trucks. If you're looking for protection from 'roos and the like, there's nothing better. But if you plan to do any off-roading, they are rock magnets and you will beat the heck out of it.

no 'roos yet, but I've smeared a few deer, and my stock bumper held up well, (only lost the rubber end-caps) but I'd definitely like the extra armor, and I don't mind it screwing with the angle o' approach some, I'm no crawler. I do like to go offroad, but nothing fanatical, just trails.


Anyway, getting back on track here, anybody have the front frame width of an 84 pickup I can compare to the width of The Mule?

 

[pistolbob]

I guess the weight is a little less. the shipping weight on the bumper was 200lbs and the warn 8500 is 85 lbs. I guess there could have been 50 to 60 pounds of shipping material, but that is still over 200lbs.

 

[Bogo]

no 'roos yet, but I've smeared a few deer, and my stock bumper held up well, (only lost the rubber end-caps) but I'd definitely like the extra armor, and I don't mind it screwing with the angle o' approach some, I'm no crawler. I do like to go offroad, but nothing fanatical, just trails.


Anyway, getting back on track here, anybody have the front frame width of an 84 pickup I can compare to the width of The Mule?

A FSM for the truck should have the frame dimensions in it. Might not have the outside edge to edge dimensions which is what you need for fitting the ARB.
'83 83 frame dimensions - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board
'85 http://www.yankeetoys.org/Documents/85Frame.gif
Linked from: **********Toyota Bible/FAQ 2.0********** - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board
I'd remembered seeing it out there.

As for deer, I've hit 4 with my ARB on my '94. Just scuffed paint from the rack on one of them. Too many bloody deer in my neck of the woods, plus a couple spots near my farm are real bad for them running across in front of you.

I do recommend going to stronger leaf springs up front or you will be bottoming out allot more. On my '94 I had to put in stronger torsion bars and went with OME. They actually ride better than the OEM ones with the stock bumper.

 

[arndog123]

This thread has a pic of a 1st gen truck w/ an ARB bumper,
1979 orange crush - NW-Wheelers Forums

 

[KLF]

Scans of frame diagrams in this thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/79-95-toyota-truck-tech/403772-frame-diagram-scans.html

 

[Rooskey]

I have an arb bumper on my 81 pickup. (For pics check out the June 2010 issue of off-road adventures if you got one laying around). I had to extensively modify the bumper to make it fit. First you can not raise the bumper up flush with the bottum of the frame rails as the top of the bumper will hit the grill. I lowered it from the frame 11/16's of an inch to clear. Second I had to cut off the ends (or cut your fenders). I ended up using the original tow hook frame bolts (good starting point for fitment as well), original bumper bracket to frame mounts, and then about 8 inches back from the tow hook bolts I drilled holes in the frame for another set of bolts (Total of six mounting bolts holds on the bumper) I have snatched full size trucks and winched out multiple times with no issues.

 

[missouriman]

I had a warn bumper to start with.
it stuck out to far.
after much looking and being shocked at the prices.
I built my own, the way I wanted it.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Nice work.

 

[toy4xfun]

that is a nice job!

 

[missouriman]

Thanks, I have made two now, so far they have stood up well.
some deep scratchs but no bends yet.
here is the other one.

 

[Combat Chuck]

Thanks, I have made two now, so far they have stood up well.
some deep scratchs but no bends yet.
here is the other one.

Nice handiwork!

If you feel saucey enough to make one for sale, I'd definitely take you up in whatever you could pull together.

 

[missouriman]

a little hard to do with out a bare truck to work off of.

took 3 days, steel, roll of welding wire, 5 or 6 grinding disks.

 

[ToyotaGuy88]

You sir, are a talented man. If you lived locally I would gladly pay you to build me one.

 

[missouriman]

the big part of adding alot of strenth is the (head light and running light loops).
those are 1/4 and 3/8 inch thick tube.

I have seen my wife slide that bumper along a rock hard enough to lift the front wheel off the ground.


thanks for the compliments.