Need ARB bumper buying advice: To winch, or not to winch...

[brianinaustin]

'Bout to order an ARB bumper for my '96, and could use to seasoned advice on which to buy. I don't have plans to add a winch at this point, but I'd hate to change my mind later and then have to buy another spendy bumper. The non-winch bumper does look cleaner and it's a little cheaper. Could maybe mount license plate over the rollers on the winch bumper to clean it up a bit.

Anyone else struggle with this? How did it turn out?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[In2cruisers]

As you stated...it would be a shame if you ever wanted to upgrade. You could do as I did with the FJ62 I had...I got a good deal on a used ARB but at time I had no winch.....Get a roller fairlead and purchase some of those wall mount lrg broom holder or the smaller clip type flashlight holders and mount to back of lic. plate equal to the distance of the fairlead an clip lic plate to fairlead...I also hooked a safty line.....just in case

 

[Junk]

Do yourself a favor and get the winch bar. You never know if you'll end up a winch, or when you'll get a good deal on one etc, so may as well pass on the non-winch bar.

 

[Junk]

BTW, when I first got my truck I had no plans on putting a winch on, regearing it, sticking in ARB lockers, putting a blower on it, doing dual batteries and lifts and having two sets of tires and having custom fab bits everywhere. It just kind of happened.

 

[brianinaustin]

All right already, I'm convinced. Are they dimensionally similar though? I've noticed some winch bumpers stick out a lot. Oh, any lines on good deals?

 

[MaddBaggins]

I'm working on a tube style front and rear bumper with a receiver in both. I will have a winch steup to go into the receiver front or rear and leave it in the garage when not wheeling. A lot less $. For about the cost of an ARB front bumper I will have both and the winch mount. My .02
Of course this might take me a little longer to accomplish than it would if I just called Cristo, but my LC will be a little bit different than most. If it comes out anywhere near the vision I have it will be sweet!