ARB Summit Bumper & Deer Strikes?

[Heritage 2020]

Greetings,

Has anyone ever hit a deer or large animal with their ARB Summit bumper?

My wife/I have been road tripping to various National/State parks in the Southeast since buying our LC, and purposely taking rural and back roads to catch the scenery. Not surprisingly we see quite a few in TN, as well as throughout this beautiful region.

Just curious as the bumper looks pretty stout and traditional (mine came with the truck). Hopefully we never have to find out the level of protection on our own.

 

[Artie]

I’ve seen this topic pop up a couple times and here’s what I’ve gleaned from them.

1. There’s no way an aftermarket bumper makes a deer strike worse, it’s at least the same but likely better with the added bumper and bull bar.

2. If this is a tactic to get the wife approval for bumpers just give me a wink and I’ll provide supporting evidence via PM.

Full disclosure: My wife wanted the added protection so we went with Dissent bumper and bull bar. She feels better with the bumper and likes the lights that were able to be fitted to it… and the winch is also a nice safety feature for when we’re on trails and with the kiddos. In all honesty, adding a bumper adds a lot of utility and it will make driving at night and driving on trails safer. We both also think it looks a million times better. If you have the funds then a bumper does makes sense for a lot of reasons.

 

[Heritage 2020]

I’ve seen this topic pop up a couple times and here’s what I’ve gleaned from them.

1. There’s no way an aftermarket bumper makes a deer strike worse, it’s at least the same but likely better with the added bumper and bull bar.

2. If this is a tactic to get the wife approval for bumpers just give me a wink and I’ll provide supporting evidence via PM.

Full disclosure: My wife wanted the added protection so we went with Dissent bumper and bull bar. She feels better with the bumper and likes the lights that were able to be fitted to it… and the winch is also a nice safety feature for when we’re on trails and with the kiddos. In all honesty, adding a bumper adds a lot of utility and it will make driving at night and driving on trails safer. We both also think it looks a million times better. If you have the funds then a bumper does makes sense for a lot of reasons.

Thank you Artie.

After 25 plus yrs, my wife is wise to all of my tactics—so I try to buy vehicles that are “fully equipped”, thus it came from “the factory” that way, lol.

We saw a ton of deer on the way back from Asheville and Boone NC, and the roof/grill lights are necessary so I can see them and the bumper is necessary as a safety measure.

Wise men think alike.

 

[Artie]

Thank you Artie.

After 25 plus yrs, my wife is wise to all of my tactics—so I try to buy vehicles that are “fully equipped”, thus it came from “the factory” that way, lol.

We saw a ton of deer on the way back from Asheville and Boone NC, and the roof/grill lights are necessary so I can see them and the bumper is necessary as a safety measure.

Wise men think alike.

We made that same drive the week before Christmas and added a stop in Bryson City… we saw Elk in Bryson City. I think a bumper makes perfect sense for your needs. They didn’t come from the factory with bumpers because the deer in Japan are tiny. However, the factory made adding a bumper very easy for the places that need them.

I hear ya on the fully equipped from factory, I’ve never been one to want to make changes once I buy something. However, the wonderful thing about the Cruiser is that they are in so many markets around the world that there is no ‘one size fits all’ but there are plenty of companies that can help fill your needs.

 

[kcjaz]

As @Artie said, any after market bumper will be better than OEM vs. a deer. I added the TJM T13 after a deer strike. I hit a second deer with the TJM. Big difference. I’d expect the Summit to be about the same.

The big hoops make a huge difference in the level of protection. Not everyone likes that old school look but if the objective is protection, that’s the way to go. I’ve hit several trees 4wheeling and the hoops have saved the head lights 3 or 4 times. I’m a big fan of the Bug A$$ bumper.

200 series transmission damage

So I hit a deer last weekend and it took out most of the front end. I stopped and saw I was dropping coolant but figured I could drive up the road a couples miles where there was a gas station. What I didn't realize was that the deer also took out the tranny cooler too. When I got to the gas...

forum.ih8mud.com

T13 vs. deer

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Heritage 2020]

@kcjaz

Wow! Thanks for sharing the posts—and sorry about your hit.

The picture of the damaged front end made me wince a bit.

 

[kcjaz]

@kcjaz

Wow! Thanks for sharing the posts—and sorry about your hit.

The picture of the damaged front end made me wince a bit.

The pic didn’t seem so bad to me. It was the $25,000 repair bill that made me wince. Thank god for insurance.

 

[JetSurfer]

After moving to the country, and traversing country roads in deer country, I am purposely outfitted like this in the front. Diode Dynamics fogs and ARB SOLIS to see the deer better, and the Ironman and HiLift to assure that if I do hit one, I can still drive it.
Also my pew pew so that if I do maim one, it doesn’t have to suffer long. I have assisted one of my own and another from a strike due to the vehicle in front of me. No animal should have to suffer needlessly.

 

[Fisher23]

Unfortunately I have with it and without it.
Both times in the winter late at night (very early morning).
Without it the vehicle was not drive able, had to get a towed and a ride from the middle of nowhere, thankfully had cell service, weeks in the shop. With it I just felt bad for the deer.

 

[javelinadave]

Most collisions with larger animals happen from 1/2 hour before sunset to sunrise. Driving in rural areas in daylight greatly reduces your risk of a collision.

 

[Tex68w]

Most collisions with larger animals happen from 1/2 hour before sunset to sunrise. Avoiding driving in rural areas in daylight greatly reduces your risk of a collision.

Not possible for those of us that live/work/play/hunt in rural areas. Rural is 90% of my life lol. I definitely look forward to installing a bumper on my 200.

 

[JetSurfer]

Most collisions with larger animals happen from 1/2 hour before sunset to sunrise. Driving in rural areas in daylight greatly reduces your risk of a collision.

Exactly when I’m traveling to and from work. 7am in - 4pm home. Driving into the sun both ways. Beautiful, but visibility sucks and there are deer all over.

 

[JetSurfer]

Not possible for those of us that live/work/play/hunt in rural areas. Rural is 90% of my life lol. I definitely look forward to installing a bumper on my 200.

The Ironman is a quality piece, though it lacks proper recovery points from them. With a small modification, you can use some of the aftermarket points though. And, Ironman is always running some sort of sale- %off, free shipping, free lights, free recovery boards.
I have had mine for 3 years and I wheel in rocks and mud, and drive in salty NY winters. It has been well worth the $1200 it cost me. It also protrudes less than the ARB, and it’s no cut.

 

[Fisher23]

was sent to me today.

 

[Stiles]

I popped a very large deer going abput 60mph mid-afternoon between Moab and Telluride. With ARB grill guard, zero damage at all.

Without grill guard it would've destroyed bumper, grill, right side lights, hood, right quarter panel, and who knows about component damage like radiator/oil cooler, etc. ARB payed for itself many times over in one strike. I am a proponent! And they look damned sharp.

 

[1Maverick]

I’ve seen this topic pop up a couple times and here’s what I’ve gleaned from them.

1. There’s no way an aftermarket bumper makes a deer strike worse, it’s at least the same but likely better with the added bumper and bull bar.

2. If this is a tactic to get the wife approval for bumpers just give me a wink and I’ll provide supporting evidence via PM.

Full disclosure: My wife wanted the added protection so we went with Dissent bumper and bull bar. She feels better with the bumper and likes the lights that were able to be fitted to it… and the winch is also a nice safety feature for when we’re on trails and with the kiddos. In all honesty, adding a bumper adds a lot of utility and it will make driving at night and driving on trails safer. We both also think it looks a million times better. If you have the funds then a bumper does makes sense for a lot of reasons.

I may need that supporting evidence for my wife as well. How stout is the bull bar option on the dissent? I am considering going this route without the winch option most likely and the color matched route as you. Have you noticed any driving dynamic changes? Did you self install ? Also, how are there 6” Rigid lights on the bumper? Any changes you’d make when orderin?I may drive down and have ACC do the work.

 

[Artie]

I may need that supporting evidence for my wife as well. How stout is the bull bar option on the dissent? I am considering going this route without the winch option most likely and the color matched route as you. Have you noticed any driving dynamic changes? Did you self install ? Also, how are there 6” Rigid lights on the bumper? Any changes you’d make when orderin?I may drive down and have ACC do the work.

The bull bar seems very stout but I can’t say how it would holdup to a deer strike and I pray I never find out.

As far as driving dynamics, I have no idea. We had ours modded before taking delivery and it’s the only Cruiser I’ve ever driven.

The 6 inch yellow Rigid fog lamps on mine are really bright and since they are mounted at an angle they light off to the side much like ditch lights. They are killer for rural and forest roads and make a nice addition to the hidden grill mounted 30 inch Ridged bar I also run.

I would make zero changes, we love this bumper.

I have been to ACC one time for a pre trip inspection and to just get acquainted with them as they are the closest Cruiser shop to us. They were great and easy to work with. I chatted the tech, owner, and receptionist up a lot and they are genuinely great people and complete Cruiser dorks. They will probably do my re gear in the future.

 

[1Maverick]

The bull bar seems very stout but I can’t say how it would holdup to a deer strike and I pray I never find out.

As far as driving dynamics, I have no idea. We had ours modded before taking delivery and it’s the only Cruiser I’ve ever driven.

The 6 inch yellow Rigid fog lamps on mine are really bright and since they are mounted at an angle they light off to the side much like ditch lights. They are killer for rural and forest roads and make a nice addition to the hidden grill mounted 30 inch Ridged bar I also run.

I would make zero changes, we love this bumper.

I have been to ACC one time for a pre trip inspection and to just get acquainted with them as they are the closest Cruiser shop to us. They were great and easy to work with. I chatted the tech, owner, and receptionist up a lot and they are genuinely great people and complete Cruiser dorks. They will probably do my re gear in the future.

Thank you for the reply! I will definitely do the 30” hidden light bar. That has been on my wants list for awhile now. Dissent has a few different light cutouts and torn which to go with. I definitely want yellow fogs in those cutouts. Did you add a 2nd battery for the lights or mostly for the winch? Not sure if I need to this with just the extra lighting alone.

 

[Artie]

Thank you for the reply! I will definitely do the 30” hidden light bar. That has been on my wants list for awhile now. Dissent has a few different light cutouts and torn which to go with. I definitely want yellow fogs in those cutouts. Did you add a 2nd battery for the lights or mostly for the winch? Not sure if I need to this with just the extra lighting alone.

View attachment 3204794

I have a second battery and a bunch of accessories, if you don’t have plans for a winch you should be fine with just the one battery as it shouldn’t be an issue running those fogs on the bumper.

However, I would be planning ahead, these things tend to snowball.

You’re going to totally love that bumper.

 

[04UZJ100]

After moving to the country, and traversing country roads in deer country, I am purposely outfitted like this in the front. Diode Dynamics fogs and ARB SOLIS to see the deer better, and the Ironman and HiLift to assure that if I do hit one, I can still drive it.
Also my pew pew so that if I do maim one, it doesn’t have to suffer long. I have assisted one of my own and another from a strike due to the vehicle in front of me. No animal should have to suffer needlessly.

View attachment 3204112

That hi lift mounting position is nothing more than a projectile in my opinion. Those single threaded bolts will sheer right off.