ARB vs TJM bumper

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Y

ymc226

10 Year
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Threads
8
Messages
34
Location
NJ
Looking at bumpers and the price differential is huge and don't understand the difference in quality. Opinions please on why the ARB modular Sahara bar for a 2013 LC is $2,600 (without built in fog lamps) while for a TJM T-3 winch bar (with included fog lamps), the cost is about $900?

http://store.arbusa.com/ARB-Modular...ruiser-200-Series-2012-13-3915150-P22779.aspx

http://www.tjmusa.com/en/product/toyota-200-series-landcruiser-winch-bar?tid=landcruiser winch bar

The TJM seems to have a lot of features that aren't specified on the ARB website which is rather short on features.

Am I missing something obvious regarding the quality of the ARB product?
 
I would be interested in knowing the real-world difference as well.
 
I've had a TJM bullbar on my F350 for about 11 years. It's a phenomenal piece of steel and TJM has great quality. The powder coated finish had held up nicely and there's no rust or corrosion. I get a lot of questions and compliments. Most people can't believe how solid the bumper is...truly "moose proof." I installed an ARB bullbar on my Jeep and I'd say the TJM product is on par with ARB. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another TJM product for my 200 series.

Just my $0.02.
 
I also had a TJM T3, on my hundy. Fantastic bumper. On my 200 I got a smoking deal on an ARB, far less than a new T3, so I couldn't pass it up. For list price, I'd have bought the T3. That said, at least the hundy version, the ARB had thicker steel than the T3, but both solid. Haven't seen the 200 version of the T3 to know if that's still the case.
 
Also wondering how much the stock Toyota bumper weighs.

The ARB is about 150 lbs while the TJM is 130 lbs.
 
ymc226 said:
Also wondering how much the stock Toyota bumper weighs. The ARB is about 150 lbs while the TJM is 130 lbs.
Click to expand...

Toyota stock bumper is all hard plastic, you can pick it up easily - my rough guess, it's less than 30lbs.
 
I have the TJM bumper on my 200 and well worth the money in my opinion.
From what I've heard, and I might be wrong, other than the fact that the arb is much heavier they were the last ones to release a bumper for the 200 as they weren't satisfied with the results and put a lot of r&d into it. According to arb sales people mounting their steel bumper should actually strengthen your chassis and you wont risk damaging it from the excessive weight. I chose the tjm over arb because of the price and weight. I think the tjm bumper + winch equals the weigh of the arb alone and the fact that the bumper is flush with the body work and doesn't stick out the sides

 
Thanks to all who have responded. I guess with only 20 lbs that separate the 2, there is likely more similarities than not.

When I spoke with the ARB tech, they didn't think the extra weight in front necessitated upgrading the front suspension while the TJM person said to expect 1/2 to 1 inch drop so a upgrade may be required.

To those that have either bumper, would you consider an upgraded front suspension or lift necessary?

Also since I forgot to ask, the new LC have collision avoidance. Would that function be compromised with installation of the new bumper?
 
ymc226 said:
Thanks to all who have responded. I guess with only 20 lbs that separate the 2, there is likely more similarities than not.

When I spoke with the ARB tech, they didn't think the extra weight in front necessitated upgrading the front suspension while the TJM person said to expect 1/2 to 1 inch drop so a upgrade may be required.

To those that have either bumper, would you consider an upgraded front suspension or lift necessary?

Also since I forgot to ask, the new LC have collision avoidance. Would that function be compromised with installation of the new bumper?
Click to expand...

The extra weight doed need a suspension upgrade. I was running ome medium duty springs with the sport shock and with bumper/winch the front drooped down a bit and handling worsebed a bit replaced front springs to level the ride out. If you have the time and tge shop isn't far out you can have the bumper installed and see how it rides on stock suspension but best to save on time and money to do all at the same time also check around ad there are more suspension kits available now see what best fits your needs.


Newer arb bumpers have the hole cut out for front camera and radar but I heard if you get the bumper that supports front radar you can't fit a winch to it.
 
Desert Nomad said:
The extra weight doed need a suspension upgrade. I was running ome medium duty springs with the sport shock and with bumper/winch the front drooped down a bit and handling worsebed a bit replaced front springs to level the ride out. If you have the time and tge shop isn't far out you can have the bumper installed and see how it rides on stock suspension but best to save on time and money to do all at the same time also check around ad there are more suspension kits available now see what best fits your needs.


Newer arb bumpers have the hole cut out for front camera and radar but I heard if you get the bumper that supports front radar you can't fit a winch to it.
Click to expand...

Thanks Desert Nomad. That was my next question. I called ARB USA. They were familiar with the parking sensor issue (just transfer sensor from Toyota bumper to ARB) but did not know were the radar unit was in relation to where it would be if the ARB Sahara bumper/hoop was installed.

Can you tell me where the radar unit for the adaptive cruise control is and does it remain functional if the new bumper with the hoop is installed?

Did you lift or just use stiffer springs and kept the LC stock height?

This is the PDF brochure from the ARB USA site:

http://www.arbusa.com/Uploads/PDF/newProductAdvice/2013/3915150pr.pdf
 
bjowett said:
I like the T15, which is aluminum, and similar to the T3. IMO, the steel bars weigh more than they should in relation to the protection they provide.
Click to expand...

Might be too shiny for me. Has to be kept relatively clean and polished, otherwise, would get on my nerves.

BTW: with a 2 inch lift in front and 1 inch rear, would new front UCAs be needed? Getting conflicting opinions.
 
The radar unit is behind the sombrero on the grill. On rigs equipped with the radar unit, the sombrero is glass. The front camera is directly under the sombrero.
 
ymc226 said:
Thanks Desert Nomad. That was my next question. I called ARB USA. They were familiar with the parking sensor issue (just transfer sensor from Toyota bumper to ARB) but did not know were the radar unit was in relation to where it would be if the ARB Sahara bumper/hoop was installed.

Can you tell me where the radar unit for the adaptive cruise control is and does it remain functional if the new bumper with the hoop is installed?

Did you lift or just use stiffer springs and kept the LC stock height?

This is the PDF brochure from the ARB USA site:

http://www.arbusa.com/Uploads/PDF/newProductAdvice/2013/3915150pr.pdf
Click to expand...

I'll call up arb tomorrow and confirm. The camera I think relocates to the center of the bumper above the split on the bumper. On the bumper I saw a hole for it not sure where the radar goes might be in place of the winch as they told me with the radar bumper the winch can't be fitted. I'll see exactly where the camera and radar will go.
 
elkaholic said:
The radar unit is behind the sombrero on the grill. On rigs equipped with the radar unit, the sombrero is glass. The front camera is directly under the sombrero.
Click to expand...

Thanks Elkaholic. From the PDF brochure, the radar unit could be partially affected by the hoop, although the sombrero is right in the middle of the hoop from the picture. Rather than moving the unit lower which would compromise the utility of the radar cruise control, a solution would be NOT to install the hoop.

On second thought, I almost never use cruise control anyway. Is the radar unit used for anything else important such as for the Pre Collision System?

I also wonder if with the hoop installed, would the cruise control behave erratically if the radar control portion of the CC senses less because of the partial obstruction.
 
I **think** that it is utilized in some of the pre-collision techno-wizardry for the US Spec models. Maybe beno will pipe in and confirm.
 
ymc226 said:
Might be too shiny for me. Has to be kept relatively clean and polished, otherwise, would get on my nerves.

BTW: with a 2 inch lift in front and 1 inch rear, would new front UCAs be needed? Getting conflicting opinions.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it would need to be painted.
 
It's a sombrero? I never knew that.

The profile of the TJM and ARB are different, with the ARB sticking further out. As for TJM pricing, they just recently started selling in the US again so it's been reported they're pricing aggressively to gain share.
 
ymc226 said:
Thanks Desert Nomad. That was my next question. I called ARB USA. They were familiar with the parking sensor issue (just transfer sensor from Toyota bumper to ARB) but did not know were the radar unit was in relation to where it would be if the ARB Sahara bumper/hoop was installed.

Can you tell me where the radar unit for the adaptive cruise control is and does it remain functional if the new bumper with the hoop is installed?

Did you lift or just use stiffer springs and kept the LC stock height?

This is the PDF brochure from the ARB USA site:

http://www.arbusa.com/Uploads/PDF/newProductAdvice/2013/3915150pr.pdf
Click to expand...

Sorry ignore my post regarding the camera hole and radar relocation :bang: that bumper was for the y62 Nissan patrol. The 2014 bumpers that just came in for the 200 have a "camera relocation kit" so I assume same as has been posted here, no mention of the radar, arb sales person had no idea cruisers came with radar. The 2014 bumpers just reached their warehouse when I talked to them and they haven't opened one up yet, they said they'd let me know if there's anything different than what we already know once they unbox them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom