Got in a wreck. Get an ARB or replace bumper??

[BBQ BOY]

It's my decision I know but just want to solicit opinions.
I'm not a big off roader but my truck is my everyday driver, kid hauler and work car. I was planning on doing a gradual build with sliders and tires first and later getting a ARB winch bumper. I guess it was going to be one of the last mods because I wasn't planning adding a lift anytime soon to accommodate the heavy weight of the bumper.
I'm just concerned that if I do add the ARB it is going to be a ripple effect. First the bumper then I will be forced to spend more money to add a lift. Then the lift will make my stock tires look ridiculous affording me to add 33's. Bad mods to be done in a uncertain economic environment and high gas priced climate.

I am actually very surprised how pathetically the LC's bumper handled this extremely minor accident. Even the girl I rear ended saw my truck and was surprised at the damage. She said it felt like I just nudged her.
The driver's quarter panel is off alignment too I think. The space between the hood and quarter panel is wider and the metal strip beneath the drivers light it bent too.

 

[Yukon LX]

What do you really think the people on this forum are going to tell you? I think you know the answer to this one.

Ps. you don't need to add a lift for the weight. Just crank your T bars a bit and you will be fine.

 

[Griffin]

tell ya what, see if you can stomach driving that busted bumper for a month or so, then I'll sell you mine - at a great price - right after i have enough money to buy my new ARB bullbar

 

[Mxndrnks]

gotta love tupperware! Glad no one was hurt! Personal I will never have anything but something like an Arb or others on the front of my rig no matter the mods. I you search around on here and other places you will find countless photos and stories of how the Arb Vs. whatever car saved the truck. They just provide so much more protection.

If you dont want the full ARB Combo bar "look" but would prefer to keep it more stock looking in theory.... I would take a hard look at the ARB Sahara. As for the suspension, All you will need to do is crank the T-bars a few turns to compensate for the added weight of the new bumper and call it a day. Your current suspension can handle it. Now that isnt to say once you do it you wont "want" to do other things..... it is a disease.... LOL

 

[BBQ BOY]

gotta love tupperware! Glad no one was hurt! Personal I will never have anything but something like an Arb or others on the front of my rig no matter the mods. I you search around on here and other places you will find countless photos and stories of how the Arb Vs. whatever car saved the truck. They just provide so much more protection.

If you dont want the full ARB Combo bar "look" but would prefer to keep it more stock looking in theory.... I would take a hard look at the ARB Sahara. As for the suspension, All you will need to do is crank the T-bars a few turns to compensate for the added weight of the new bumper and call it a day. Your current suspension can handle it. Now that isnt to say once you do it you wont "want" to do other things..... it is a disease.... LOL

I have been wanting to get a ARB Sahara anyway. I want my truck to look like this one but without the roof rack and snorkel

 

[Mxndrnks]

Good looking rig.

Paul is running an OME lift, 295's, Slee Sliders, Slee Rear in that pic.

 

[1loudLX]

pull the trim below the headlight out, and put an ARB on. You can unbolt the fender and move it back into alignment.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

And Paul's truck looks a lot different now.

Why not just put the tupperware bumper back on, except for the crack it doesn't look too bad. Take the insurance money for the bumper and put it in to the other stuff you wanted to do sooner.

 

[BBQ BOY]

And Paul's truck looks a lot different now.

Why not just put the tupperware bumper back on, except for the crack it doesn't look too bad. Take the insurance money for the bumper and put it in to the other stuff you wanted to do sooner.

Well I am not sure if the insurance company is going to allow me to do that. I spoke with them today and they said that they are now working with body shops directly instead of handing out checks. At least that's how I understood it.

 

[jgray]

Well I am not sure if the insurance company is going to allow me to do that. I spoke with them today and they said that they are now working with body shops directly instead of handing out checks. At least that's how I understood it.

You should be able to choose your own body shop and provide them an estimate from someone you would prefer to do the work... At that point they cut you a check and you choose who you want to do your work. I'm not sure what the cost of another factory bumper would be but it would likely be about the same as an ARB. If it's possible to get a new ARB out of the deal that would be pretty nice. You should have no problem (as others have suggested) cranking up your factory bars a little to offset the weight of the ARB. It will look just fine until you can afford more goodies and provide more protection. Keep your tires until you need new ones and then get something bigger.

 

[Newps]

I ran in to that same problem with my insurance company too. Tell them no one but me touches my vehicles, period! I went round and round with them until they agreed and yes they agreed. Just stick to your story that you are going to fix the vehicle yourself. What are they going to do, not pay you? If you don’t take it to a body shop to get fixed they can’t close their file, simple as that.

 

[1loudLX]

Leave the bumper off and use the insurance money on bills.

 

[jonharis]

First.....it's not a bumper. Your bumper looks like it did fine in the bump.
Your bumper cover on the other hand will cost you:
~$600 for reconditioned cover painted and installed.
~$700 for OEM Toyota cover painted and installed.

Do what Loud said about the other bent part.

 

[staggrlee]

Well I am not sure if the insurance company is going to allow me to do that. I spoke with them today and they said that they are now working with body shops directly instead of handing out checks. At least that's how I understood it.

Are you sure about that? I know it varies across carriers and/or states but, really!? I know using non-OE parts is a big cop-out on a lot of carriers, but they pick the shop? I thought there was a SC (most states) law that prohibited that? Companies try to "steer' but I'd do some research and push back hard on that.

The cover did its job, the crossmember appears undamaged and who knows, your panels may have already been misaligned. Pity you had to file a claim though. It will cost you more in the long run than an ARB or Slee bumper purchased outright most likely.

Get the insurance #!@$%!'s to cut you a depreciation check based on a dealer-recommended shop's repair estimate, and go to work yourself with a cordless drill, HD zip ties, panel screws, some Al flat stock, and a heat gun if necessary. You can get ScotchCal film to cover up your sins. Might not match in color exactly but you can probably get close. Don't worry about the panel alignment, it's not like you bent the frame.

Bank the $ or spend it on more pressing things. You'd be surprised what you can accomplish once you get comfortable drilling holes. It's toast, how bad could you stuff it up? And when it falls off at a later date, then you always wanted that winch bumper anyway.

 

[2000UZJ]

Damn dude. I just saw that 100 a few weeks ago and it was beautiful. Why not go with a ARB Sahara with no hoop and color match it? Most strength while keeping a semi-stock appearance. A quick glimpse and most wouldn't notice.


FYI- a Sahara with no winch and hoop with stock torsion bars should not be a issue. You have seen my truck, I have stock bars upfront with no issues.

 

[EdsCruisin]

I did this last year. I won on all three accounts: I got the ARB Combo, Insurance paid, and I got a freezer full of venison. I did it with State Farm and a Toyota body shop.

Talk to your insurance company directly (not the adjuster rep at the body shop). From those pictures, you are falling short of the price of the ARB, but you should be able to wing it for at least 50% off. Remember to have the body shop itemize all the parts, paint and labor for the stock assembly and then back out the pieces you don't need for an ARB installation. Fog lights alone are hundreds of dollars from Toyota for example.

I also run a stock suspension and this bumper did not affect it.

 

[1loudLX]

If you were closer I'd say buy an OEM painted cover from Slee and call it a day.

 

[2000UZJ]

If you were closer I'd say buy an OEM painted cover from Slee and call it a day.

they are so light it would be super cheap to have it shipped...

 

[BBQ BOY]

You can see how one panel is off a good bit more than the passenger side. Both panels have always been perfect;y aligned.
You can also see that the ends of the bumper are not the same.
The headlight has some damage too and look at the panel beneath it.

 

[yeti in ga]

Man that sucks ! or is it a blessing.... go for the ARB.. I am sure you thought about driving at URE !!