Front bumper- arb vs TJM and other variants

[Willy beamin]

Closer to 1 1/2" but still a big unsightly gap and yes it wasn't enough. I smacked the bottom of my bumper on a rock ledge coming out of a water crossing. I simply wasn't paying enough attention to my exit point and picked poorly. water was rushing and bubbling and really it just didn't look as high as it was for that particular part. "Mind the gap"

 

[mark71]

How much does a bare T13 weigh?

In Archtaan's thread, he says the mount and bumper is 180 lbs (no winch). Seems about right, since you only have to lift the bare bumper into position, not the rest of the hardware.

Definitely would have been easier with a second person. Don't recommend solo install.

 

[Markuson]

Closer to 1 1/2" but still a big unsightly gap and yes it wasn't enough. I smacked the bottom of my bumper on a rock ledge coming out of a water crossing. I simply wasn't paying enough attention to my exit point and picked poorly. water was rushing and bubbling and really it just didn't look as high as it was for that particular part. "Mind the gap"

In Willy's defense... (I was behind him about to cross the same water), I think the stream bed had a hidden dip just before the bank. It didn't slope upward the way it seemed it would.

 

[mark71]

In Willy's defense... (I was behind him about to cross the same water), I think the stream bed had a hidden dip just before the bank. It didn't slope upward the way it seemed it would.

Thanx, guys. Now I'm worrying about my gap. Crap. I really wanted to be done with adjusting it. Dang thing is heavy.

 

[crikeymike]

In Archtaan's thread, he says the mount and bumper is 180 lbs (no winch). Seems about right, since you only have to lift the bare bumper into position, not the rest of the hardware.

Definitely would have been easier with a second person. Don't recommend solo install.

Yeah, the subframe/crossmember was pretty hefty. There's also probably 10+ pounds in nuts and bolts for these things too. Even lights add a fair bit of weight. A pair of 9" Intensities are like 20 LBS. Synthetic winch lines played a huge part in cutting front end weights out of winches and winch bumper combined weights.

 

[Ali FJ80]

No, not yet. We were just talking about this yesterday. I don't recall the differences in headlights and grille, etc, so I'll have to look it up to see if it will be possible or not.

you guys happen to make any headway on LX570 fitment? thanks.

 

[crikeymike]

you guys happen to make any headway on LX570 fitment? thanks.

Sorry guys, no real headway. No one has tried it, so we can't verify fitment. At this point we have to say that it won't work.

 

[Ali FJ80]

Sorry guys, no real headway. No one has tried it, so we can't verify fitment. At this point we have to say that it won't work.

Damn, well if you want a guinea pig to see if it works send one over I would be happy to make whatever modifications needed to my truck to make it fit and document it for you There are a lot of LX owners who would like to have a front bumper.

 

[crikeymike]

Damn, well if you want a guinea pig to see if it works send one over I would be happy to make whatever modifications needed to my truck to make it fit and document it for you There are a lot of LX owners who would like to have a front bumper.

Deal!! Let's take it off here and work it out by PM. I've got an offer for you.

 

[TomasAllan]

You're totally right. The installers may have missed that part about fender adjustment. It's a very common oversight with bumper installs on many brands.

171 LBS is the bumper. Whatever you add to it is in addition. Yeah, these bumpers aren't light, but neither is the vehicle. An 80 LB bumper wouldn't do a lot of protection when it's attached to several thousand pounds behind it at speed. Suzuki Samurai's can get away with a ligher weight bumper, since their overall weight and impact of an object will be less, but the heavier the vehicle, the more support is needed in the design and build of it.

You reckon the Icon coilovers will be screaming? I've seen a few 200's with ARB bumpers, winch, lights, etc, and they seem to be doing ok. They're adjustable too, so you'll want to go back over the information that came with them to see what adjustments are required when adding extra weight. The BP51's give you details when you buy them about settings for different weight/load on the front.

So that I understand this, I am seriously looking at getting your bumper but I have the same concerns about spacing, when you say:

"You're totally right. The installers may have missed that part about fender adjustment. It's a very common oversight with bumper installs on many brands."

That tells me there is plenty of room for adjustment at least with 2" of clearance?

Also filler plate? or have to cut my bumper? ....... sorry if it sounds like a stupid question I am not very familiar with this bumper.

Thanks.

 

[crikeymike]

So that I understand this, I am seriously looking at getting your bumper but I have the same concerns about spacing, when you say:

"You're totally right. The installers may have missed that part about fender adjustment. It's a very common oversight with bumper installs on many brands."

That tells me there is plenty of room for adjustment at least with 2" of clearance?

Also filler plate? or have to cut my bumper? ....... sorry if it sounds like a stupid question I am not very familiar with this bumper.

Thanks.

Sorry for the delay.

It has adjustment built into the brackets and should be set with 13mm of clearance between the fender and the bumper edge to allow for movement. Once the height is set properly, drilling is required in the "pinning bolts" to set the bumper in its' final position.

It comes with rubber filler panels, so on the 200 series facelifted models, you don't have to cut your original bumper.

 

[TomasAllan]

Sorry for the delay.

It has adjustment built into the brackets and should be set with 13mm of clearance between the fender and the bumper edge to allow for movement. Once the height is set properly, drilling is required in the "pinning bolts" to set the bumper in its' final position.

View attachment 1387731

It comes with rubber filler panels, so on the 200 series facelifted models, you don't have to cut your original bumper.

Thanks for the reply I am really interested, one more question is 13mm enough clearance considering? by looking at this vid it makes me think I need a bit more but maybe I am wrong.




Thanks again.

 

[Ali FJ80]

Having just installed one of their bumpers I can tell you there's a ton of adjustment room in the brackets to set a larger gap if you like.

 

[TomasAllan]

Having just installed one of their bumpers I can tell you there's a ton of adjustment room in the brackets to set a larger gap if you like.

Cool, thanks man.

 

[Willy beamin]

Smart man - mind the GAP!

 

[Dan Higgins]

I realize this thread has been sleeping for a few months and most of you who added bumpers (or just about anything) did it in advance of the Breckinridge trip. But, I am now considering a front bumper. Maybe, just maybe. The catalyst was @Markuson hitting a deer in Moab (with no visible effect on his truck) and then today I was driving in the outskirts of the Denver Metro Area and saw a disabled pickup truck with its hood and front end all messed up and what was clearly animal blood across the road. (No sign of the animal body.) The truck had no sort of protection. And then, finally, my wife and I were driving into the SLC area last March and a deer ran right across the road in front of us. Still hard to believe we missed it. Since I am looking to upgrade the suspension soon (to better accommodate our travel trailer and to take advantage of the OME 2721 springs I have from @Markuson and to get a bit of a lift) I am wondering if I should consider a front bumper as it would change the choice of springs on the front.

Here would be my requirements/preferences:

• Strong enough to provide good large animal protection (we drive a lot of forest/fire roads at dark)
• I would consider adding lights
• Full functionality of cameras and sensors (I have a 2016)
• Maybe a winch. Not sure yet. If so, I would want a very clean look.
• Safety
• Slee install
• Looks are least important to me, if completely irrelevant. A clean look is preferable. Not at all looking to draw attention or make a statement. If anything, just the opposite. This is all about function, weight and price.

TJM is clearly on the list. There appear to be questions surrounding the ARB as far as large animal protection. I've also seen different approaches used for lights and for winch install (some cleaner than others).

I don't ever see myself doing the sorts of trails some of you did in Moab. In fact, I not only have 0 interest in Red/Difficult trails but actually have an aversion to them (maybe a "phobia"?). Nothing against you all who did the some amazing driving the last couple weeks! Just not my mug of beer. That said, sometimes you end up where you didn't intend.

I would prefer to only get responses from users, or vendors or manufacturers. Again, customer/user experiences only, please. Thanks.

 

[purdytj]

We installed a "scratch and dent" ARB deluxe a couple of months ago on our LX570. Love it. Cost about $800 and just had a little dent in one of the uprights and some scratches that were tiny and covered with tough up paint. Certainly heavier. I like that it has been crash tested and works with airbags. The front camera is a bit obscured, but the headlight washers and relocated parking sensors work well. I'm thinking to get the Warn VR12s winch.

I realize this thread has been sleeping for a few months and most of you who added bumpers (or just about anything) did it in advance of the Breckinridge trip. But, I am now considering a front bumper. Maybe, just maybe. The catalyst was @Markuson hitting a deer in Moab (with no visible effect on his truck) and then today I was driving in the outskirts of the Denver Metro Area and saw a disabled pickup truck with its hood and front end all messed up and what was clearly animal blood across the road. (No sign of the animal body.) The truck had no sort of protection. And then, finally, my wife and I were driving into the SLC area last March and a deer ran right across the road in front of us. Still hard to believe we missed it. Since I am looking to upgrade the suspension soon (to better accommodate our travel trailer and to take advantage of the OME 2721 springs I have from @Markuson and to get a bit of a lift) I am wondering if I should consider a front bumper as it would change the choice of springs on the front.

Here would be my requirements/preferences:

• Strong enough to provide good large animal protection (we drive a lot of forest/fire roads at dark)
• I would consider adding lights
• Full functionality of cameras and sensors (I have a 2016)
• Maybe a winch. Not sure yet. If so, I would want a very clean look.
• Safety
• Slee install
• Looks are least important to me, if completely irrelevant. A clean look is preferable. Not at all looking to draw attention or make a statement. If anything, just the opposite. This is all about function, weight and price.

TJM is clearly on the list. There appear to be questions surrounding the ARB as far as large animal protection. I've also seen different approaches used for lights and for winch install (some cleaner than others).

I don't ever see myself doing the sorts of trails some of you did in Moab. In fact, I not only have 0 interest in Red/Difficult trails but actually have an aversion to them (maybe a "phobia"?). Nothing against you all who did the some amazing driving the last couple weeks! Just not my mug of beer. That said, sometimes you end up where you didn't intend.

I would prefer to only get responses from users, or vendors or manufacturers. Again, customer/user experiences only, please. Thanks.

 

[mcgaskins]

I realize this thread has been sleeping for a few months and most of you who added bumpers (or just about anything) did it in advance of the Breckinridge trip. But, I am now considering a front bumper. Maybe, just maybe. The catalyst was @Markuson hitting a deer in Moab (with no visible effect on his truck) and then today I was driving in the outskirts of the Denver Metro Area and saw a disabled pickup truck with its hood and front end all messed up and what was clearly animal blood across the road. (No sign of the animal body.) The truck had no sort of protection. And then, finally, my wife and I were driving into the SLC area last March and a deer ran right across the road in front of us. Still hard to believe we missed it. Since I am looking to upgrade the suspension soon (to better accommodate our travel trailer and to take advantage of the OME 2721 springs I have from @Markuson and to get a bit of a lift) I am wondering if I should consider a front bumper as it would change the choice of springs on the front.

Here would be my requirements/preferences:

• Strong enough to provide good large animal protection (we drive a lot of forest/fire roads at dark)
• I would consider adding lights
• Full functionality of cameras and sensors (I have a 2016)
• Maybe a winch. Not sure yet. If so, I would want a very clean look.
• Safety
• Slee install
• Looks are least important to me, if completely irrelevant. A clean look is preferable. Not at all looking to draw attention or make a statement. If anything, just the opposite. This is all about function, weight and price.

TJM is clearly on the list. There appear to be questions surrounding the ARB as far as large animal protection. I've also seen different approaches used for lights and for winch install (some cleaner than others).

I don't ever see myself doing the sorts of trails some of you did in Moab. In fact, I not only have 0 interest in Red/Difficult trails but actually have an aversion to them (maybe a "phobia"?). Nothing against you all who did the some amazing driving the last couple weeks! Just not my mug of beer. That said, sometimes you end up where you didn't intend.

I would prefer to only get responses from users, or vendors or manufacturers. Again, customer/user experiences only, please. Thanks.

I really like my ARB, and they are IMO the "original" super high quality, crash tested, OEM friendly, performance bumper. After seeing the TJM in person on @Markuson truck though, I think that's a great alternative ESPECIALLY for the price. IIRC the TJM is about $1k cheaper than the ARB, so if I was in the market I'd look at it very closely. I had a TJM on my 100 though that did not appear nearly as high quality as the ARBs I've had in the past, but the TJM on the 200 looked much closer to the ARB product.

We installed a "scratch and dent" ARB deluxe a couple of months ago on our LX570. Love it. Cost about $800 and just had a little dent in one of the uprights and some scratches that were tiny and covered with tough up paint. Certainly heavier. I like that it has been crash tested and works with airbags. The front camera is a bit obscured, but the headlight washers and relocated parking sensors work well. I'm thinking to get the Warn VR12s winch.

Did you do the camera relocation kit? I have the relocation on my ARB and this is the view with it - totally unobstructed:

 

[Markuson]

I had the ARB Sahara Bar on my 100 series, but it was not nearly as strong/thick as my current TJM T13. I always thought the Sahara bar must be lighter duty than the ARB deluxe bar, bug my understanding is they are basically the same except for the bull bar. The Sahara has no bull bar of course, and its hoop is strictly for looks...connected only by two small bolts from the bottom.

I would not hesitate to recommend ARB's Deluxe (Bull bar), but I personally prefer the design of the T13 and was willing to wait for it. Experience counts, it is is super strong...reasonably priced...and was entirely unphased by the deer, and a good number of other bangs and scrapes. Also...the deer hit the fairlead and flat-link (still has deer fur stuck in it!) but the fairlead mount metal was also unphased--which has been found to be a weak point on some bumpers.

I guess I'd say you have two excellent options between the TJM T13 and the ARB. Not sure I can find a reason for the extra expense of the ARB, unless you can't wait on a T13. Mine was $1400 including fogs and indicators...

 

[purdytj]

@mcgaskins , no I have not looked into the camera relocation kit, but will now!