Wrench
One Bashed Up 80
That was great! I always knew they were high quality well made bumpers. I would love to work there.
ARB Bumper vs Others
- Thread starter gray rider
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That was great! I always knew they were high quality well made bumpers. I would love to work there.
I don't know about the Slee bumper but I would guess my AOE weighs about 80-90lbs.
Slee weighs about 90lbs.
From their website:
"The bumper is formed out of 3/16" steel with 3/8" plate used for the integrated frame mounts / recover point brackets. 1.75" and 1.5" DOM tubing is used for the tubular protection. The bumper weighs in at just under 90lbs without a winch, making it one of the lightest available on the market. "
I've always considered the ARB more of an expedition type bar. It's gives some ultimate protection, but is too light for mangling rocks even with the extra protection of the Slee AC dryer guard. Both the Slee and AOE are much better bumpers if you'll be busting rocks.
That said, I'm happy with my ARB for what it's used for. Part of the reason it is what it is is because it was also designed to not hurt the aerodynamics any more than necessary. The Slee and AOE don't care about your mileage, they want to eat some rocks.
BTW, those aren't recovery points on the ARB, they're "bling hangers."
No one in their right mind would use them as recovery points, unless it was your first ever recovery, I suppose.
That said, I'm happy with my ARB for what it's used for. Part of the reason it is what it is is because it was also designed to not hurt the aerodynamics any more than necessary. The Slee and AOE don't care about your mileage, they want to eat some rocks.
BTW, those aren't recovery points on the ARB, they're "bling hangers."
No one in their right mind would use them as recovery points, unless it was your first ever recovery, I suppose.
If I read it right, you're looking for a "basic" upgrade. This is what I was looking for, after I hit a deer, doing minor damage to the front end. Didn't need a winch, but needed the protection, and functionality of a "bull bar" and brush guard, so the ARB was available for $650 in Utah, and I picked it up, so no shipping. Good for lashing down kayaks and such, and I haven't hit a deer since, so it's workin' great!!
gray rider
SILVER Star
- Thread starter
- #27
The Slee short bus bumper weighs 90lbs. Anyone know the weight of the non-winch ARB?
gray rider
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- #28
NM, found my answer, about 170 lbs
I love the ARB on my Wife's TJ. Go for the winch option even if you add it later. Trying to decide if I nee it on my 80?
I have had three different bumpers on my cruiser, the ARB, TJM17 and the TJM13 currently. If I had to choose between the three again, it would be ARB for the quality, strength, form and finish. If i ever do try another bumper the Slee is next on the list.
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Ok so weight was my concern also when I bought it for the TJ. On my 80 with the solid axle and 8k Warn not to concerned, the factory is no light weight
Naw, that sounds too heavy from what I remember slinging ours around. This thread says around 110 lbs.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/143619-arb-bull-bar-weight.html
gray rider
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- Thread starter
- #33
I missed that thread in search. I will call Slee tomorrow.
I've narrowed the choice to one that he sells anyway.
Any thoughts on going with the winch bumper even though I'm 90%
sure I will never add winch?
I'm only speaking for myself, and though I don't wheel my rig hard, so will not need a winch, also did not care to carry a winch around 99% of the time for the couple times I might use it. I preferred the functionality of the flat front, so that I can PUSH vehicles (have done this more times than I can count), that would otherwise bend the winch mount brackets which protrude out the front of the ARB winch mount bull bar. I debated this a long time, before making my choice. HTH
Yeah, the fairlead bracket isn't "friendly" but if that was a regular practice, I'd add some anti-scuff feature like UHMW plastic facing or something anyway. You could do that as a bolt-on to the winch ARB and get enough padding so the fairlead bracket won't be an issue.
That said, if you never plan on a winch the only reason why you might still favor a winch ARB is for resale value -- assuming the buyer might consider putting on a winch at some future point. After we've sold it or passed on, the fate of many 80s as their condition degrades is as a competent trail vehicle and buyers often anticipate adding a winch then.
I suspect that winch ARBs may hold their value better than non-winch ARBs as separate parts on the resale market, but I haven't watched enough ads to verify that. I've got the only ARB I'll ever need.
That said, if you never plan on a winch the only reason why you might still favor a winch ARB is for resale value -- assuming the buyer might consider putting on a winch at some future point. After we've sold it or passed on, the fate of many 80s as their condition degrades is as a competent trail vehicle and buyers often anticipate adding a winch then.
I suspect that winch ARBs may hold their value better than non-winch ARBs as separate parts on the resale market, but I haven't watched enough ads to verify that. I've got the only ARB I'll ever need.
Wrench
One Bashed Up 80
Why push when you can pull? A lot safer and you have more control.I'm only speaking for myself, and though I don't wheel my rig hard, so will not need a winch, also did not care to carry a winch around 99% of the time for the couple times I might use it. I preferred the functionality of the flat front, so that I can PUSH vehicles (have done this more times than I can count), that would otherwise bend the winch mount brackets which protrude out the front of the ARB winch mount bull bar. I debated this a long time, before making my choice. HTH
I agree completely, and that was one of the major points I debated...but I'll gladly suffer the "devaluation" of my cruiser at sale time, when and if that ever occurs.
"Why push when you can pull? A lot safer and you have more control."
Absolutely agreed as well!! Have you ever been "sardine-canned" into a parallel parking space?? Works well for "can-opening" your way out. (Ssshhhh....don't tell anyone)
Surprised the Ironman Deluxe Commercial doesn't come up in more of these conversations - seems like it's comparable to the ARB, but with a better lighting kit and polyurethane bumper points for those of us who have to parallel park daily
Anyone who can share their experience with them?
http://www.ironman4x4.com/html/deluxe_commercial.html
Anyone who can share their experience with them?
http://www.ironman4x4.com/html/deluxe_commercial.html
Wrench
One Bashed Up 80
LOL You do that? Aren't you pushing against the parking pawl?Absolutely agreed as well!! Have you ever been "sardine-canned" into a parallel parking space?? Works well for "can-opening" your way out. (Ssshhhh....don't tell anyone)
gray rider
SILVER Star
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- #40
I'm kinda leaning toward the ARB for the posted recommendations. And it has cool bars to just attach junk to......
Scientific, huh....
Scientific, huh....
