ARB Summit Bumper & Deer Strikes?

[Blackford Oakes]

I may drive down and have ACC do the work.

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.

They get very backed up lately, @1Maverick. May want to plan far out in advance. I've heard fantastic things about Peter Merriam/Merriam Automotive, however. It's just across town from ACC in Duluth.

Merriam Automotive, Duluth Georgia - http://www.merriamautomotive.com/

 

[1Maverick]

They get very backed up lately, @1Maverick. May want to plan far out in advance. I've heard fantastic things about Peter Merriam/Merriam Automotive, however. It's just across town from ACC in Duluth.

Merriam Automotive, Duluth Georgia - http://www.merriamautomotive.com/

Thanks, I’ll check them out. I won‘t receive my bumper until mid/late-March anyways.

 

[Stiles]

Meanwhile, in Texas...

 

[Heritage 2020]

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.

Artie,

Based on what I see on my LC, ACC is top notch and worth the wait.

Every install on my LC is OEM/factory in terms of fit, function, and I’m extremely picky.

Mind you, I bought my LC used—and the previous owner had the work done.

That said, the folks from ACC have been great in answering questions (especially Cat) about the install—and I look forward to doing more business with them as it’s not too bad of a drive.

 

[OSS]

These ARB “bull bars” were made popular in Australia for protection during a strike with … yep you guessed it - kangaroos.
Think hitting a deer is bad? The roos are worse.
Similar, massive, cattle sweeping bumpers used to be very common on big rigs in Mexico. Seemed like all the trucks had them to help protect against hitting cattle which were very common roaming around everywhere. Since the highway has been barb wired it’s entire length fir the most part, cow strikes are less frequent now - and so are massive bumpers.

So to answer the OP’s question: absolutely, the ARB bumper will help protect the vehicle in the event of an animal strike.

(BTW, a long time ago, I rode my bicycle across the country and back. At cycling speeds you get to witness the endless carnage of roadkill all day long. There are soooo many deer killed by vehicles all the time on American highways. Countless. Deer and scores of other smaller animals.
Not a day went by almost without smelling the rotten smell of death off in the bushes. American highways are kill zones. Death traps for the poor animals.

 

[04UZJ100]

ARB literally stands for A Roo Bar. It was designed by someone who was tired of damaging their truck in the bush from animal strikes. They’re designed to withstand animal strikes to protect the vehicle, occupants, and to deflect the animal either over or under the vehicle.

I would take an ARB over any other manufacturer for bumper for animal protection. Dissent and Slee are works of art but they do not offer the protection that an ARB does. I am not a fan of Chinese made Ironman or TJM. ARB are still made in Australia and they are the gold standard IMO. Most other manufactures have simply copied their design.

 

[KLF]

ARB literally stands for A Roo Bar. It was designed by someone who was tired of damaging their truck in the bush from animal strikes. They’re designed to withstand animal strikes to protect the vehicle, occupants, and to deflect the animal either over or under the vehicle.

I would take an ARB over any other manufacturer for bumper for animal protection. Dissent and Slee are works of art but they do not offer the protection that an ARB does. I am not a fan of Chinese made Ironman or TJM. ARB are still made in Australia and they are the gold standard IMO. Most other manufactures have simply copied their design.

So much BS here...

ARB are the initials of the founder, Anthony Ronald Brown. Read here, 3rd paragraph: Our Story - https://arbusa.com/about-arb/our-story/

Some of their products are manufactured in Thailand.

The ARB bar is nice, but it's butt ugly (IMO).

 

[Stiles]

The ARB bar is nice, but it's butt ugly (IMO).

Would you endulge in sharing a pic or recommendation of a grill guard that you find fitting and attractive?

 

[OSS]

Any front guard that’s stout enough for a deer/roo strike is going to be “butt ugly” or “bad ass” depending on one’s perspective

 

[1Maverick]

If I were going with an ARB alternative, the TJM would be it. I had an ARB bumper and never really cared for the styling and it sticks out much to far.

 

[Tex68w]

The TJM bumper for the 16+ is most definitely a better looking version of the ARB.

 

[KLF]

Would you endulge in sharing a pic or recommendation of a grill guard that you find fitting and attractive?

Maybe "butt ugly" is a bit harsh, but I just can't get past how much it sticks out. Deal breaker. I'll be on the hunt for a TJM in the spring.

 

[04UZJ100]

So much BS here...

ARB are the initials of the founder, Anthony Ronald Brown. Read here, 3rd paragraph: Our Story - https://arbusa.com/about-arb/our-story/

Some of their products are manufactured in Thailand.

The ARB bar is nice, but it's butt ugly (IMO).

Ok and that article summarized what I said. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Stiles]

Maybe "butt ugly" is a bit harsh, but I just can't get past how much it sticks out. Deal breaker. I'll be on the hunt for a TJM in the spring.

The beauty of this site is learning and sharing and collaborating; mostly opinions and experiences, and a good deal of facts. Youre invited to share what you think is good and what you think is bad.

l had never heard of TMJ.

 

[Heritage 2020]

Happy New Year & Best Wishes to All,

Interesting chart on deer strike potential from State Farm. My guess is there is a fair amount of subjectivity due to claims/accidents reported vs. actual incidence.

I’m in TN which for some reason is a bit lower than other Southeast states—but still quite high compared to the Southwest & FL.

Again, hope to never need the ARB Summit—but glad to have the cheap insurance just in case. I actually like the looks, plus the functionality if I hit the Chick-fil-A or Starbucks drive through steel posts.

Note: Didn’t realize Hawaii had deer.

 

[Tex68w]

Happy New Year & Best Wishes to All,

Interesting chart on deer strike potential from State Farm. My guess is there is a fair amount of subjectivity due to claims/accidents reported vs. actual incidence.

I’m in TN which for some reason is a bit lower than other Southeast states—but still quite high compared to the Southwest & FL.

Again, hope to never need the ARB Summit—but cheap insurance just in case.

Note: Didn’t realize Hawaii had deer.

View attachment 3207124

Oh there’s certainly a huge disparity between actual strike incidents and claims. We’ve had multiples over the years that we simply didn’t report and fixed ourselves depending on the level of damage. Many others that we know do the same.

 

[Heritage 2020]

Oh there’s certainly a huge disparity between actual strike incidents and claims. We’ve had multiples over the years that we simply didn’t report and fixed ourselves depending on the level of damage. Many others that we know do the same.

Agreed. Then the odds are significantly underreported. Another very good reason for the protection up front.

I’m not biased for/against ARB Summit, as it came with my LC. I like the looks and the functionality—aka cheap insurance.

 

[1Maverick]

I’m seriously considering the Dissent full bullbar but not sure how it would actually hold up in protecting the engine bay from damage of an average sized deer here in the Smokey mtns. I see a lot of deer hits traveling to Chattanooga or through Asheville into Winston-Salem.

 

[Heritage 2020]

Fair sized deer strike at highway speed with a Tacoma. Not sure what bumper, but minimal damage.

 

[Tex68w]

I’m seriously considering the Dissent full bullbar but not sure how it would actually hold up in protecting the engine bay from damage of an average sized deer here in the Smokey mtns. I see a lot of deer hits traveling to Chattanooga or through Asheville into Winston-Salem.

It’s the way I am leaning as well but I have my reservations due to how the bar work is attached/constructed. That and they don’t seem too keen on making/offering them.