Pressure testing price and utility on two mods? BP51's and ARB Front Bumper + Skid Plate

[KilaCruiser]

Anyone recently done either of the above mods? Any thoughts on post purchase satisfaction? Ball-parks on what it should cost?

Little Context: I dont "wheel" so much as I camp, ski, bike, etc.... Decent amount of time out west with the truck but predominantly North East. So, lots of forest service roads, evening missions and wanderin' animals.

Specifically:

- Does the extra bumper weight of aftermarket further ding braking in a meaningful way?

- Did you throw a winch in when you got the bumper? Never wanted one on my Jeep and dont wheel so assuming unnecessary weight?

- My '13 has under 50k miles - assuming stock suspensions has plenty of life left based on ride but when/if did you start refreshing yours?

- BP51 worth it relative to OME/ARB yellow normal jobbies?

Thanks for any thoughts

 

[RET2]

A simplistic answer would be if you've gotten this far stock why change? It's a very big rabbit hole you're looking down.

 

[KilaCruiser]

A simplistic answer would be if you've gotten this far stock why change? It's a very big rabbit hole you're looking down.

All for simplistic!

She's relatively new to me - 2k or so miles... So it's not like I've survived 7 years with it stock. That ain't me. Enjoy the process of making it mine but too old and too poor to regret spending that kinda money if I can avoid it

Bumper - Multiple 4,000 mile trips a year, frequent skiing, camping and beach missions between. Lotta open roads and already learning that painted bumpers are a PITA to keep in top shape. Also seems the only way to get a decent light mount that doesnt revolve around a license plate frame or damage multiplier.

Suspension - Have run OME suspension before and like it. Wanted to gain a hair more clearance and if I'm gonna do somethin' spendy, want to do it up front and enjoy it for plenty of years. Assuming the real benefit is in faster speed rut compliance. BUT - not sure if that then requires UCA's, etc.

To be candid. Struggling to justify over $3k for a bumper + install --> think it becomes something I do when current one is hanging by a thread. More curious about the BP51's as the juice seems more worth the squeeze.

Thanks, @RET2

 

[tbisaacs]

I just went through this!

Install notes for Ironman bullbar on a 2008 LX

Over two weekends I installed an Ironman bullbar on my 2008 LX. Documenting some tips for future installers. Note — not a step by step how to. Ordering: Couldn't be easier. I ordered on a Monday, by the end of they day Ironman called me with a bumper ready—it was ready for pickup at my local...

forum.ih8mud.com

You’ll feel the weight especially on a land cruiser on stock Springs.

If you are moderately handy and have the weekend to spare, a bumper is totally DIY

 

[KilaCruiser]

Thanks @tbisaacs - Your bumper looks excellent! I think you mentioned about 30 hrs? I'd then rough estimate that'd equal 45+ for me as you seem a fair bit handier... Besides, I can't be breaking my "never cut into your car" rule. Install is part of getting a front bumper for me.

IE. I'm good for wiring lights and installing roof racks and seat covers... can mount a mean cell phone as well.

I'm already running heavier rubber - feelin' the weight makes me start to think about then adding brakes and the slippery slope gets steeper.

 

[dnh1]

I added BP-51 to a build I did and hated it. I kept the care about 1 month. I have the same sized tires on a different 200 with no lift and it feels much better to me in terms of handling and cornering and all of those things.

 

[jamgolf]

Little Context: I dont "wheel" so much as I camp, ski, bike, etc.... lots of forest service roads, evening missions and wanderin' animals.

For the intended use as you've stated, if I was in your shoes, I would not change the stock vehicle.

 

[KilaCruiser]

I added BP-51 to a build I did and hated it. I kept the care about 1 month. I have the same sized tires on a different 200 with no lift and it feels much better to me in terms of handling and cornering and all of those things.

^^^ That's what I needed to see. I know it's subjective but between some warranty issues and a few folks with the above experience, seems the easy call is to not fix what isnt broken. Thanks @dnh1 .

Guess this means the dogs can eat tonight

 

[grinchy]

I haven't been able to justify the bumper/winch weight. I found another, more fiddly, light weight solution for the rare times I would need a winch, and I haven't personally had many animal strike close calls. Lots of folks on here have had close calls/strikes and were glad they had the bull bar.

If you are out to eliminate animal strikes, a couple of the australian brands offer steps, side bars, and bull bars that tie together to minimize the potential damage.

 

[KilaCruiser]

Thanks, @grinchy - think I'm in your camp. Luckily, I've not needed winch and do roll with maxtrax and a compressor... that combos been fine for my style of adventurin'.

I've totalled a truck in a deer-strike and had plenty of calls that could have ended up similarly... but at $3500 and a weight penalty, thinking self-insurance is the plan. I mean, that would negate all the weight I saved 86ing the third row!

 

[CharlieS]

I am in the stock bumper camp (after having prior LCs with ARB bumpers - it is a rabbit hole). Maxtraxx and Bogouts will get you out of a ton of situations. If you want to spend the money, hidden winch mounts and a winch are easy enough to add with minimal cutting (for the fairlead).

 

[bobrmr]

While I don't have the BP-51's on my LC, I had them on my Tacoma and personally didn't think they justified the price. I went with the OME Nitrochargers (yellow ones) on my LC and couldn't be happier. But I'm also not a constant adjuster; more set it and forget it. My $.02.

 

[RET2]

While I don't have the BP-51's on my LC, I had them on my Tacoma and personally didn't think they justified the price. I went with the OME Nitrochargers (yellow ones) on my LC and couldn't be happier. But I'm also not a constant adjuster; more set it and forget it. My $.02.

I concur, let's face it a 200 is not a Baja desert rig going triple digits there by needing the dampening and rebound. Not knocking anyone's choices just not applicable on my rig anyway. Disclaimer, I went with Kings on my Tacoma so I'm not always the smartest guy.

 

[afgman786]

Running the basic OME set up and glad I didn't pay the extra for BP-51. Lack of adjustment is what I like

 

[KilaCruiser]

Crazy helpful everyone - gonna likely skip the process.

Needed to get an order in within the next week or two to have it ready for a little 6 wk adventure startin in December: East Coast -> Rockies -> San Diego --> East Coast. Stoked to have a little extra gas money and again, huge thanks for the learnings!

FWIW - Had the nitrochargers on my Wrangler and loved them. They were a reason I was exploring diving deeper. But they also required lots of other fancy bits to make them just so...

 

[RET2]

Crazy helpful everyone - gonna likely skip the process.

Needed to get an order in within the next week or two to have it ready for a little 6 wk adventure startin in December: East Coast -> Rockies -> San Diego --> East Coast. Stoked to have a little extra gas money and again, huge thanks for the learnings!

FWIW - Had the nitrochargers on my Wrangler and loved them. They were a reason I was exploring diving deeper. But they also required lots of other fancy bits to make them just so...

When you hit San Diego ping me, lots of fun trails and damn good tacos.

 

[KilaCruiser]

@RET2 - Will do and thanks. That really frames it - 2,000 tacos or Bp51's? 1700 Tacos or a bumper? If you see me rolling stock you'll know we can get the guac...