Front bumper- arb vs TJM and other variants

[Dan Higgins]

Thanks for the feedback. I need to talk with Amory at Slee on Monday to line up a second ARB drawer install and a suspension upgrade and maybe an ARB compressor install. I'll ask about the availability and cost of the bumper options. For me it is primarily peace of mind when I'm driving back roads (or even highways) at dusk. And I don't want to upgrade the front suspension until I know if I'm going to be putting a bumper on it.

A couple years ago we were coming down Cottonwood Pass near Breckinridge, came around a hairpin turn and right in the middle of my lane was a huge bull moose. And, no, he wasn't planning to move. Fortunately, I had to slow down for the curve so was going slow enough to stop. We just faced off for about 30 seconds. Then he slowly sauntered over to the side of the road, turned again a gave me another stare down. Then he walked back into the road and across to the other side. Moose are tall and if I had hit him he would have likely gone over whatever bar I had. Which is why I also want some lights that I can flip on at night when no cars are coming on back roads.

 

[mcgaskins]

Thanks for the feedback. I need to talk with Amory at Slee on Monday to line up a second ARB drawer install and a suspension upgrade and maybe an ARB compressor install. I'll ask about the availability and cost of the bumper options. For me it is primarily peace of mind when I'm driving back roads (or even highways) at dusk. And I don't want to upgrade the front suspension until I know if I'm going to be putting a bumper on it.

A couple years ago we were coming down Cottonwood Pass near Breckinridge, came around a hairpin turn and right in the middle of my lane was a huge bull moose. And, no, he wasn't planning to move. Fortunately, I had to slow down for the curve so was going slow enough to stop. We just faced off for about 30 seconds. Then he slowly sauntered over to the side of the road, turned again a gave me another stare down. Then he walked back into the road and across to the other side. Moose are tall and if I had hit him he would have likely gone over whatever bar I had. Which is why I also want some lights that I can flip on at night when no cars are coming on back roads.

I like where you're going with this - second drawer, suspension, bull bar, lights...see you'll be just like the rest of us before you know it There are cheaper options, but I really like my setup with the ARB bull bar plus the Intensity lights which I wired up to 2 separate switches because they're so bright. Gives me more control over what's going on.

 

[Dan Higgins]

Thanks! Depending on what options Slee lays out, I may see if I can come to where you are and take a look at your rig. It might be good to see it in person. It is also the case that I am doing the suspension upgrade to help carry the 800# hitch weight when I tow. I'm thinking a bumper may help with the weight distribution and offset some of the weight on the back. BTW, it was our conversation over dinner in Breck that got me seriously thinking about abandoning the RTT and just setting up the inside so my wife and I can sleep in it when we're not using the trailer. I even tried sitting on the ARB drawer with the rear hatch/door open and drinking a cup of coffee as you mentioned. It works great. The liftgate is high enough to clear my head. I think I'm also going to look at tarps or whatever so I can have some simple, lightweight cover while camping out of the truck. But that is a topic for a different thread.

 

[mcgaskins]

You're welcome to come check it out whenever you want - shoot even borrow it for a bit to see how it feels. I'm very happy with it now the suspension is dialed and everything else is buttoned up. Camping in the back while solo has been a real pleasure (mosquito nets are key to keep the windows down), so I'm glad our conversation helped!

 

[Dan Higgins]

Do you remember where you got those mosquito "socks" for the windows. I had them on my LR4 but gave them to a friend as they were custom-fit and would not work on the LC. I could not find any for the LC. I do have the Skeeter Beeters that use magnets but I really liked the "sock" approach for the side windows. I'll use the Skeeter Beeters for the moon roof if I need it.

 

[mcgaskins]

These are the ones I bought and they worked fine. Not a perfect fit, but in an area with an unbelievable number of mosquitoes I slept great with no bug bites despite the windows being down

Amazon.com: ShadeSox Universal Fit Car Side Window Baby Sun Shade (2 Pack) | Protects Your Baby and Older Kids from the Sun, Fits All (99%) Cars! Most SUVs! | Travel eBook Included!: Automotive

 

[Dan Higgins]

Thanks, Matt! BTW, I decided not to do the front bumper yet. I need to get my head around the change to the sight line when driving. Which is another reason to maybe take yours for a spin. Maybe bring my wife along as she is a much shorter driver and would notice it even more. I currently have my truck scheduled with Slee to do the suspension upgrade, add another ARB drawer, install an ARB compressor under the hood and install Curt's rear hatch release button. They really don't have time to also do a front bumper and I need to do some more research. So without the bumper the front springs are going to be 700's and the rear springs will be 721s (for towing our trailer.) If I go with a new bumper (primarily for large animal protection) I'll need to change the front springs.

Thanks for the tip on the ShadeSox. I had those for my LR4 and they worked great. Easier to put on (if they fit) than the Skeeter Beaters I have now which have magnets all the way around.

 

[mcgaskins]

Thanks, Matt! BTW, I decided not to do the front bumper yet. I need to get my head around the change to the sight line when driving. Which is another reason to maybe take yours for a spin. Maybe bring my wife along as she is a much shorter driver and would notice it even more. I currently have my truck scheduled with Slee to do the suspension upgrade, add another ARB drawer, install an ARB compressor under the hood and install Curt's rear hatch release button. They really don't have time to also do a front bumper and I need to do some more research. So without the bumper the front springs are going to be 700's and the rear springs will be 721s (for towing our trailer.) If I go with a new bumper (primarily for large animal protection) I'll need to change the front springs.

Thanks for the tip on the ShadeSox. I had those for my LR4 and they worked great. Easier to put on (if they fit) than the Skeeter Beaters I have now which have magnets all the way around.

I'll shoot you a PM.

 

[musthave]

There are a wide selection of bumpers available for the 200 series. As I am beginning the build of our first 200 series, I am trying to come up with what the bumper is. I like the VPR, I like the new Dissent, I like the TJM, the Dobinsons one, etc. But I keep being pulled back to the ARB Bumper.

I have a few reasons. ARB has been in the business for a long time. They have a dedicated R&D team. They do a lot of real life testing.

The top reason though is this. I watched as my brother hit a guardrail head on, dead center at 70+ mph after he passed out from hypoxia. The ARB crumple zones worked perfectly as intended and the front 8" or so of the bumper compressed together. He ended up with no injuries thanks to the ARB and Airbags that worked. 2 days later I had the vehicle towed to a friends house in Georgia. I started up the cruiser without issue, drove forward and reverse with no problems. The ARB completely protected the front end of the vehicle. Without it, that aluminum piece across the front would have been busted into pieces. The ARB bumper saved his life.

Fast forward, as I contemplate the right bumper for the 200, I look for similar manufacturing, R&D, and safety measures in other bumpers and I don't see it. That is not to discredit any of the other manufacturers as they have some great builds and may do very well in a similar crash.

Looks are important, but I feel like safety needs to be a strong consideration too.

I'd be interested in hearing other peoples thoughts.