ARB front bumper

[yomama]

I guess I should have mentioned that I did go to 285's and added the ARB+winch all at once. The shipping weight on the ARB and 9000lb winch was 265lbs. So maybe you would be ok for awhile without springs just with the ARB/Slee, but with adding a winch and putting that weight on the front end past the front tires is bound to bring the front end down. After adding the springs the Cruiser almost looked like it was jacked up in the rear, until I added the Kaymar rear bumber/tire carrier and second battery back there it leveled it back out and actually gave me more clearence up front again!
The airbag issue....I didn't answer that one since I knew (from past) it would bring a looong discussion. : My airbag controller is completely out. I may have left it in had this website been around at the time and had ARB not put a warning sticker in the box to NOT use with airbag systems.

Yomama

 

[G-Cat]

I have an ARB with a Warn winch on the front of my '97. My truck has 120K and still sits on it's original stock springs. I have hit many a big pothole with this added weight (including a full-length ARB roof rack) and still have both front fenders. Don't get me wrong, this family-hauler has not/will not go off of the beaten path (ie get flexed out) until OME replaces OEM.

Secondly, if I had it to do over, I'd go with the Slee or a custom job from Rockware (in Colorado Springs). I REALLY wish Slee would produce the front bumper that is on the Short-bus, as it's the coolest I've ever seen! 8)

 

[cruiserman]

It's heavy and reduces approach angle. It's in the way when working on the rig.

The only positive I can see is if you live in deer country.

 

[MoJ]

[quote author=cruiserman link=board=2;threadid=12489;start=msg114998#msg114998 date=1078422052]
It's heavy and reduces approach angle.
[/quote]

Just to make sure I'm clear....It reduces approach angle vs. stock bumper?

 

[wob]

The approach angle on an ARB is better than the stock bumper. I think he was saying that the Slee has a better angle than the ARB. But the ARB does look cooler (because that's what I have!)

 

[cruiserdan]

The Slee has a significantly better approach angle than the ARB, which is better than the Stock bumper. As mentioned eariler, the ARB has more Upper protection to deflect "Roo's and Emu's" As Shed described once, you will still get that long neck and head going over the top and popping the center of the bonnet.

 

[cruiserman]

Actually the ARB bumper has a worse approach angle than my old stock bumper, but my old stock bumper had been "modified" .

 

[scottm]

I measured front hub to fender, the truck with the ARB bumper is .25" higher. They're loaded the same, mine has 1/2 tank and not much pressure in the airbags. I don't know how much gas is in the wife's truck. My garage floor is sloped to the drain a little, perhaps that's why the odd results, but they're pretty close to the same I'd say.