I prefer expedition type wheeling more than rock crawling. There are some trails i ride in the mountains of NC where you live out of your cruiser for 2-3 days and don't see pavement for over 35miles.
How many safari's do you go on, (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter frankies off road
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As a guy who has only had his 80 for a couple years, who doesn't do any real rock crawling (at least so far...), and drives his 80 to the grocery store, daycare, and yes--occasionally to the mall--I may be what some call a poser.
I'm "into" my LC because I like to take my growing family camping and exploring a little bit further down the trail than the folks in their Subaru Outbacks and Ford Exploders. I'd also like to take it up a notch and try to get together with the local TLCA club and explore the more intense side of off-roading. Sure, we don't get out as often as we could, but camping and cruising in the 80 is only one of many hobbies and must also fit within the confines of your average suburban working family lifestyle.
Anyway...
Like several other people have said, taking the family into the hinterlands requires a lot of $hit to go comfortably. I recently added a small roof rack to accomadate the growing pile of crap I have to take to get out for more than a day or two.
As far as bumpers go, besides looking cool and impressive parked in front of JC Penny, after my wife gently clipped the side of the garage when backing out and ripped the $$plastic$$ end cap off the front bumper, I decided that a burly ARB/Slee is no more impractical than the pointless asthetics-only factory piece of s***e.
It is also feels nice to have a (9500 lb) winch up front, even if I'm not using it to drag myself up a rockpile that many people couldn't walk up. Good piece of mind when I've got two little monkeys under 4 years old 50 miles from the nearest paved road. Sure can't easily put a winch on the factory version.
To be honest, I got the Slee over the ARB to be a little different and because I think it looks a little less imposing than the full-on roo-smashing bull bar.
Rear bumpers: Similar feelings about the pointless plastic endcaps. I don't have one yet, but I would like to get a rear bumper with a tire carrier--even I have dragged the spare ($$) driving through ditches and off ledges. Trimming the fat off the arse end (or at least moving the fat to a different spot) of an 80 can be beneficial for even mild off roading.
Personally, I'm not in the market for a "rock crawling bumper." The clearance given by the Slee front end is more than enough for my needs. I also question the idea that it reduces the approach angle. Because the ends of these bumpers are so swept up, the winch box--which is as tucked in all the way to the frame rails--appears to hang low.
There's my buck .02 for the piggy bank.
Hayes
I'm "into" my LC because I like to take my growing family camping and exploring a little bit further down the trail than the folks in their Subaru Outbacks and Ford Exploders. I'd also like to take it up a notch and try to get together with the local TLCA club and explore the more intense side of off-roading. Sure, we don't get out as often as we could, but camping and cruising in the 80 is only one of many hobbies and must also fit within the confines of your average suburban working family lifestyle.
Anyway...
Like several other people have said, taking the family into the hinterlands requires a lot of $hit to go comfortably. I recently added a small roof rack to accomadate the growing pile of crap I have to take to get out for more than a day or two.
As far as bumpers go, besides looking cool and impressive parked in front of JC Penny, after my wife gently clipped the side of the garage when backing out and ripped the $$plastic$$ end cap off the front bumper, I decided that a burly ARB/Slee is no more impractical than the pointless asthetics-only factory piece of s***e.
It is also feels nice to have a (9500 lb) winch up front, even if I'm not using it to drag myself up a rockpile that many people couldn't walk up. Good piece of mind when I've got two little monkeys under 4 years old 50 miles from the nearest paved road. Sure can't easily put a winch on the factory version.
To be honest, I got the Slee over the ARB to be a little different and because I think it looks a little less imposing than the full-on roo-smashing bull bar.
Rear bumpers: Similar feelings about the pointless plastic endcaps. I don't have one yet, but I would like to get a rear bumper with a tire carrier--even I have dragged the spare ($$) driving through ditches and off ledges. Trimming the fat off the arse end (or at least moving the fat to a different spot) of an 80 can be beneficial for even mild off roading.
Personally, I'm not in the market for a "rock crawling bumper." The clearance given by the Slee front end is more than enough for my needs. I also question the idea that it reduces the approach angle. Because the ends of these bumpers are so swept up, the winch box--which is as tucked in all the way to the frame rails--appears to hang low.
There's my buck .02 for the piggy bank.
Hayes
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- Thread starter
- #63
Concreatjungle
it sounds like you guys have alot of fun on a trip like that,I would LOVE to go wheel that long at one time !
Thanks for the posts, anyone else have some feedback ?
it sounds like you guys have alot of fun on a trip like that,I would LOVE to go wheel that long at one time !
Thanks for the posts, anyone else have some feedback ?
- Thread starter
- #64
ginericfj80 said:
I like that bumper can i get a side shot of it please .
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Frankie, I pretty much concur with what Hayes said, except in place of kids I have two large dogs. I bought the Cruiser so my wife and I can load up for several days of off-the-beaten-path cruising. Around here I'll mostly be out in the desert or up in the mountains, but it's pretty unlikely I'll ever run the Rubicon. Still, like other folks have said, I'd rather hang an ARB on the front and get some protection than have to spend that money repairing an OEM bumper -- and a fender or a hood or a light. And yes, the ARB looks tough at the mall too. Do I need one? Probably not. Is it fairly cheap insurance? Sure, in the sense that sliders are. So it's not all about the style -- there's some reasoning to the safari choice as well.
So there's my $0.02. You might need to adjust for inflation.
So there's my $0.02. You might need to adjust for inflation.
- Thread starter
- #66
I think i have seen enough intrest already here for development of a sheet metal stamp formed bumper that will house a 9000lbs winch and increase intry angle.
Guys i hope to get a prototype together soon.
thank you all for your replys it has helped me along with what you wont and need.
Now my next question would you pay more for a better heavier built bumper with good looks of very hi end quolity ?
Guys i hope to get a prototype together soon.
thank you all for your replys it has helped me along with what you wont and need.
Now my next question would you pay more for a better heavier built bumper with good looks of very hi end quolity ?
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There still are lot of people are looking to upgrade from OEM to a new bumper but the choices are limited when you factor in shipping. Also people worry about weight on their rigs if they dont need that much protection. The only choice that is sort of between whats been listed is the TJM. I am looking into a custom bumper right now with a design inspired from this site with a 2inch receiver hitch in front instead of a winch . There is a picture of one some where on here. 
frankies, i was looking at tube bumpers, and in my opinion even though they may improve approach angle, i think them leaving the front exposed between the tubes is ugly. If you could come up with a front tube bumper that also has some plating in it to cover the exposed areas, it might look good. So far i haven't seen a tube bumper for the front of the 80 that's attractive.
concretejungle said:
This would be a good poll as I think the exact opposite. I think the bigger bumpers that attempt to cover everything overwhelm the classic looks of any rig. You could line up 10 different rigs with ARB bumpers and similar size tires and lift, look at them from the front, and they would all look pretty much the same. It isn't so much Toyota or Jeep or Nissan or whatever anymore as it is ARB.
With tube, you actually see more of the body style of the vehicle...yea, that includes some junk underneath, but I think seeing a solid front axle with coil springs and links on a lifted rig is cool, especially in today's world of 4 wheel IFS "trucks".
Now, I am not saying tube is the best design on the 80 visually, even with "skins", although I like it so far. Plus, nothing says "I kick the sh$t out of this pretty truck offroad and still drive it here to the mall with my pretty wife and kids where you happen to be staring at it right now wondering why your life sucks and what you'd like to do about it" like tube.
Anyway, I do think there is an opportunity to provide enhanced functionality with a design that reflects the classic style of an 80. The 80 has such a distinctive look that to me you want to minimize the visual impact of the front bumper and winch mount as much as possible so the "nose job" ends up looking as if it was your nose in the first place, and not ARB's nose that everybody else already has. I mean, if we all end up with Angelina Jolie's lips the world is gonna be a strange looking place
From the side, this tube style shows off the 80, it doesn't overwhelm it. From the front, you gotta decide whether or not you are comfortable walking around with your junk hanging out or whether you want to zip it up
Nay
C6H12O6
SILVER Star
I'm in the same boat as many of the previous posters. I have the ARB front and I love the strength of it, even though I'm not doing head stands regularly. I like being able to bump a rock or a tree when poking through the trails. If my rig didn't already have the ARB on it when I bought it, I probably would have ended up with it anyway. I spend a lot of time in the sticks and I've already nearly totalled one truck on a deer and have several near misses on moose, elk, deer, etc.
The rear is another story. I had a 1/2 mph bump into a tree cause $7200 in damage to the rear quarter panel because of the lack of strength of the rear plastic end cap. A decent rear bumper is on the short list for my cruiser, but $1500? I don't get what is so dang expensive about the rear as opposed to the front. The tire carrier would be nice for the trails, but I really don't mind having the spare under the rig for driving around town. Is it really that hard to have a removeable rear tire carrier that doesn't push the $2K mark installed? Especially since the existing cross member is so tough, I would love to see a substantial end-cap addition for the stocker.
The rear is another story. I had a 1/2 mph bump into a tree cause $7200 in damage to the rear quarter panel because of the lack of strength of the rear plastic end cap. A decent rear bumper is on the short list for my cruiser, but $1500? I don't get what is so dang expensive about the rear as opposed to the front. The tire carrier would be nice for the trails, but I really don't mind having the spare under the rig for driving around town. Is it really that hard to have a removeable rear tire carrier that doesn't push the $2K mark installed? Especially since the existing cross member is so tough, I would love to see a substantial end-cap addition for the stocker.
It sounds like you heart is in making a new bumper. But as a possible small money maker, how about some bolt on REAL winching points for the existing ARB guys. Something out of 1/2" material that can handle some load. What ARB provides is rediculously thin.
That would also be considered an improvement if it was on your design. You might also consider the having room for hydraulic winches as well. They are lighter and smaller and having that choice might not impact the size of the bumper but might offer 12k ability. I have this winch, and while it might be slow, It's something I'm hopefully not using all the time as when rock crawling, so one slow pull every now and then is not a big deal to me.
That would also be considered an improvement if it was on your design. You might also consider the having room for hydraulic winches as well. They are lighter and smaller and having that choice might not impact the size of the bumper but might offer 12k ability. I have this winch, and while it might be slow, It's something I'm hopefully not using all the time as when rock crawling, so one slow pull every now and then is not a big deal to me.
Frankie I think that most people go for the "safari" look with their 80s because they are playing off the vehicle's strengths. Honestly, there are a lot better choices for a dedicated rockcrawler. When you start to look at doing multi-day expeditions through places like Death Valley or the Four Corners though the Land Cruiser looks a lot more appealing than a rock buggy or Jeep Rubicon. So it only makes sense that this is what people use them for.
i would love to see aftermarket fender flairs like the bushwhacker where some cutting is involved, but will be a way to increase clearance and not lose being able to be street legal. also a 2nd on a more affordable rear bumper, even if it is not as strong as what is out there now, just about as stronng as my front TJM
Also Concreat, where are thoes trails in nc, i would love to go!
Also Concreat, where are thoes trails in nc, i would love to go!
frankies off road said:
I'm a middle of the road guy as well. I do a fair bit of hardcore crawling with my mates on weekends but I prefer long distance touring, which I only get time to do on my 4 weeks annual leave. I need the good approach and departure angles with good strength and protection plus I need the radiator/headlight protection and extra storage.
I've got ARBs front and rear. The bullbar suits my requirements just fine but the rear bar is lacking. The rear bar weighs a ton and kills my departure angle. I would be in the market for a replacement rear bar if I could find a strong, lightweight rear tyre carrier/jerry can holder that provides good rear protection without reducing departure angle too much.
IMHO tube front bars look great and are great for improving approach angle but lack strength. At least ARB crash test their bars and have proven their stength both with these tests and with real world use.
Everything is a comprimise but as designs evolve and technology improves I think the two opposite designs can merge together to benefit both. Good work FOR keep the design process flowing and you could be onto a winner.
- Thread starter
- #75
seems toy guys and gals are a little smarter than the XXXX guys and gals
I am tacking on a big envestment on products and i just wont to build and develop what is needed not what( I THINK IS NEEDED ) I know its out of the normal buissnes lines the way i go about it, But I feel getting to know your clientel and market is the only way to be able to manufacture products without the shortcomings of what makes profit over function.
there are other products that are a no braner and a must have that will stand the 80 market on its ear. all i will say at this point is, CASTER PERFECTION at 0 to 6'' lift is obtanable
I am tacking on a big envestment on products and i just wont to build and develop what is needed not what( I THINK IS NEEDED ) I know its out of the normal buissnes lines the way i go about it, But I feel getting to know your clientel and market is the only way to be able to manufacture products without the shortcomings of what makes profit over function.
there are other products that are a no braner and a must have that will stand the 80 market on its ear. all i will say at this point is, CASTER PERFECTION at 0 to 6'' lift is obtanable
Since we all live in the "I want it now" time - are you thoughts to have products made and ready to ship?
Spoken like a true marketing tease
:::
Spoken like a true marketing tease :::
frankies off road said:cruiserdan said:
I built mine for a expedition type rig, I love to camp in the backcountry.
Most all my mods were taylored around that end. I really should post some pictures of the cargo set up inside...
stay tuned
frankies off road said:CASTER PERFECTION at 0 to 6'' lift is obtanable
I'll be interested in this as well. The best that I could do is perfection from 0 - 4" of lift.
Be advised that drop brackets on the leading arms might be a loosing proposition.
- Thread starter
- #79
landtank said:
No plates no caster corection bushings and factory mounting locations used.
I would rather say no more about this at the moment; i have aplied for a paten ..
- Thread starter
- #80
desertdude said:Since we all live in the "I want it now" time - are you thoughts to have products made and ready to ship?
:::
ASAP
I just came from the laser shop and its looking very good at this point.
as soon as i get a prototype i will post up and we can tweek it to perfection.
heres the idea so far 3/16 steel formed ,9000lbs winch capable ,best entry angle posible with grill protection and heavy tow points.
some one photo chop an ARB please.
I will post products for sale in the vender's section when i have some for sale,so at this point I have nothing to sale and this forum gets more exposure so the people can make choices in what they wont.
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