ARB Sahara or Blueberry

[mtnracer]

I have not "done" anything to my LC in a while and I think the next project will be a new bumper.

I am pretty sure I will get either the Slee Blueberry or the ARB Sahara but wanted to get some feedback on pros and cons of either.

Do you recommend any accessories such as lights or winches to be added during the install? What about paint - do they come in flat black or grey by default? I was thinking to have it painted to match locally so the paint is not damaged in shipping. Any experience having these painted? Does either bumper have a "must have" feature?

 

[sleeoffroad]

What about paint - do they come in flat black or grey by default?

Here are the details on the Blueberry powder coat. Semi Gloss Black. This is now the standard on all our bumpers and sliders.

Slee Off Road executes a new high quality process in Powder Coating to ensure the utmost in quality, resiliency and appearance.

The four step process is as follows;

Blasting: White Metal Blasting SSPC-SP5 (SSI-Sa3), or NACE #1. This removes all of the visible rust, mill scale, paint and contaminants, leaving the metal uniformly white or gray in appearance. Used where maximum performance of protective coatings are necessary due to exceptionally severe condition exposures, such as constant immersion in water or other chemicals. This is the ultimate in blast cleaning.

Washing: A High Temperature/ High Pressure Iron Phosphate wash chemically etches the metal to provide excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion (see photo).

Primer: A Zinc Rich Epoxy Primer is applied to prepare the surface for the final stage of coating (see photo).

Topcoat: We use a 40% Gloss Polyurethane Black Coat on all of our products (see photo).

 

[LCTom]

Very happy with my Blueberry. Very tough beast. They are uber protected in their shipping boxes with expanding foam that fills the gaps and prevents damage while en route.

Winch fits in like a glove. I had to take off the bumper to get the winch in, but I've heard of others just sliding their's forward on the frame.

The ARB is no slouch, and plenty on here have one. It comes down to personal preference.

 

[mtnracer]

Here are the details on the Blueberry powder coat. Semi Gloss Black. This is now the standard on all our bumpers and sliders.

Semi gloss black would not really work as my sliders and roof rack are matt. Would I be able to order it in eggshell black or color matched with my LC?

 

[sleeoffroad]

They are all coated the same. You would have to get it recoated, or painted to match.

 

[MisledYouth]

I am thoroughly enjoying my Blueberry. Mashed a Warn VR10000 in there and it works great.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

I am thoroughly enjoying my Blueberry. Mashed a Warn VR10000 in there and it works great.

I also have a VR1000 in mine. I would recommend mounting the winch when you install the bumper. Otherwise you're going to have to take it off to install one later. I installed a angle aluminum bracket to the front facing winch mounting holes to mount a lightbar in the bumper's mouth also.

 

[fireball]

Mtn - I went through the same decision a few months ago, Blueberry vs. Sahara.

Ended up going with the Sahara because I really wanted fog lights and I think the Sahara is better suited for mounting some large driving lights. This is the thread and photos that convinced me to go with the Sahara: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=2107948&postcount=5

I've got a set of PIAA 510 ion yellow fogs and Hella rallye 4000s to mount to it.

I also don't like the Slee semi-gloss PC and wish they'd give other options. You'd have to completely strip it to PC again. You can scuff it and paint if you'd like, which would be the best option. The Slee also gets the nod in that it is tucked up into the body a bit better and offers two recovery points. If Slee would've offered a satin PC and fog light holes, I would've gone that way. Unfortunately you can have it anyway you want it, as long as you want it exactly how they make them.

If you go with the ARB, here's a good post on how to incorporate recovery points into it. https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=2363508&postcount=19

I might try something like this when I get around to mounting mine. We got 8" of snow today and it's not supposed to be above freezing for the rest of the week, so that project is on hold!

 

[paflytyer]

If you go with the ARB, here's a good post on how to incorporate recovery points into it. https://forum.ih8mud.com/showpost.php?p=2363508&postcount=19

I might try something like this when I get around to mounting mine. We got 8" of snow today and it's not supposed to be above freezing for the rest of the week, so that project is on hold!

Or, you could just add these.
http://www.jonesysoffroad.com/shop/100-series-accessories/100-series-recovery-point-urb-pair/

 

[lrowe_csp]

I like that the Blueberry recovery points are part of the design

 

[fireball]

Or, you could just add these.
http://www.jonesysoffroad.com/shop/100-series-accessories/100-series-recovery-point-urb-pair/

That would be way easier!!! I thought I read somewhere that those didn't work with the arb? Hopefully that's not the case. For 90 bucks that'll be quick and simple and do exactly what you need. I'm surprised arb doesn't have them incorporated into the bumper....

 

[paflytyer]

That would be way easier!!! I thought I read somewhere that those didn't work with the arb? Hopefully that's not the case. For 90 bucks that'll be quick and simple and do exactly what you need. I'm surprised arb doesn't have them incorporated into the bumper....

They actually connect to your frame and replace the very weak stock ones. You don't even need an aftermarket bumper to run them. It's a 5 minute install. I have used mine more than once. Nice product and Joel and Shawn at Jonesy's are great people.

 

[mtnracer]

Thanks for all the input. Too bad about the limited paint options (ie no option) on the Slee. So scuffing it up a bit and repainting may be the way to go. What color black is the ARB? Satin or Eggshell?

I also like the fog light integration with ARB. Decisions, decisions.

 

[phsycle]

I've got to say that the ARB does look better, in my opinion. From aesthetics, I would would go ARB. Performance wise, I'd go Slee. Either way, can't go wrong.

 

[DJWUZJ]

Preface: I'm running a stock bumper.

I personally like the looks of the TJM over the ARB. Better match to the lines of the 100.

If the BlueBerry offered better Bambi protection, I'd be all over it.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I also have a VR1000 in mine. I would recommend mounting the winch when you install the bumper. Otherwise you're going to have to take it off to install one later. I installed a angle aluminum bracket to the front facing winch mounting holes to mount a lightbar in the bumper's mouth also.

We now have a custom bracket that fits the bumper and the 18" LED light bar.

http://sleeoffroad.com/products/products_lights_led.htm#blueberry_bracket

 

[sleeoffroad]

I also don't like the Slee semi-gloss PC and wish they'd give other options.

The coating is chosen to match the majority of rear bumper and sliders available.

You'd have to completely strip it to PC again.

It can be re-coated without taking it down to bare metal. We can supply you with the make and type of coating we used, and your powder coat company can match it with a compatible coating.

Unfortunately you can have it anyway you want it, as long as you want it exactly how they make them.

The main reason for this is that our bumpers are produced in batches by fabrication companies that specialize in high end fabrication with very good repeatability. This is the only way we can offer carriers that can be purchased later and also ensure the fit and finish we want. You are correct that this does not lend itself to customization since all the procedures are documented. Throwing changes into a production process causes havoc. We have to do it this way to be keep up with the volume of bumpers we need.

 

[fireball]

Pafly - thanks for the info. Ordered the front recovery points today.

Christo - good info on the process and certainly understand how you guys have to make it work. Gotta please the masses. Also good info on the PC. My local guy who does PC work for me wouldn't do spot work on a roll bar for me. He blasted the whole thing and redid it. I was assuming that was because you couldn't PC over PC, but maybe it's because the existing stuff was coming up in spots and he just wanted to start with a clean slate?

 

[sleeoffroad]

My local guy who does PC work for me wouldn't do spot work on a roll bar for me. He blasted the whole thing and redid it. I was assuming that was because you couldn't PC over PC, but maybe it's because the existing stuff was coming up in spots and he just wanted to start with a clean slate?

Yes, I can see them not wanting to coat over weather and flaking used coating.

 

[philthyphil]

That would be way easier!!! I thought I read somewhere that those didn't work with the arb? Hopefully that's not the case. For 90 bucks that'll be quick and simple and do exactly what you need. I'm surprised arb doesn't have them incorporated into the bumper....

The Joneseys recovery points will likely require a little grinding of the bottom of the shoe that mounts over the frame horn. Not the end of the world. More modification may be required with skid plates. I have the 03+ ARB combo bar, maybe the Sahara is different. The recovery brackets are a quality piece of gear for sure and the folks at Joneseys were very helpful.

For the OP, between these two I prefer the looks of the Slee but it's all personal preference and what you wanted it to do, like Fireball I wanted to maintain fog lights and liked the Bambi protection of the ARB combo.