Sell me on the ARB deluxe bull bar, or show me yours ;)

[skkppy]

I have finally tackled all of the PM on my cruiser and have it running tip top, so my minor but steady cash flow that I would normally be putting into parts has accumulated into fund capable of buying a nice ARB bull bar. I love the way it looks and I know ARB is a top notch company but I am hesitating on pulling the trigger because I know I'm going to have to modify it to suit my needs. I am a somewhat skilled fabricator (not by trade, just though hobbies) and I feel like if I'm going to have to modify something I might as well just build what I am looking for from scratch.

The main problem I am having with the ARB is that from my research people seem to have trouble fitting a 12k badlands winch in it and having to use spacers. Also I don't think the tabs are in the right placed for my light setup. I know I could just make the spacers and weld my own tabs on but I'm having trouble seeing the value in spending $1k and having to mod something out of the box and paint it.

If I build my own I can make sure everything is where I want it to be and paint it myself. However, I am not sure it will be as strong as something that has been proven and tested. Also looks are important to me and I'm not skilled to the point that I can design something on a computer yet. When I have made bumpers and roof racks in the past it's a sculpt as I go process.

What do you guys think? Let me see some pictures of home brew bumpers if you got em!

 

[rockstate45]

I have an ARB and love it. Classic look, sturdy (enough) and can do a little bit of everything, even if it does no one thing well.

That said, I have the badlands winch in mine and wouldn’t let that “modification” sway you. I spent $20 on Smittybuilt spacers on Amazon that did the trick. Took 5 minutes to order and 15 seconds to put the spacers in there while bolting on the winch.

I can snag measurements if you need me to on the eyelets for light bar. Just let me know

 

[kombi]

I cant, I traded my ARB for 4X4Labs

 

[NV1971FJ40]

Too bulky for me! I have a trail gear low pro on mine it’s great! I have 9k winch on it and it looks tiny sitting in there could easily fit a 12

 

[Aloha Jen]

ARB is definitely the best bumper to pose with.....unless that’s not a priority for you.

 

[Fj81]

ARB is definitely the best bumper to pose with.....unless that’s not a priority for you.

No pics?

Get an East Coast Bullbar!

 

[skidooman]

I like the ARB. I do think there are better looking bumpers out there, and probably more stout. I really like the NWTi bumper. But for me I need something to hold a winch and my most likely event of having to actually use it for armor would be against an animal strike. I'll keep mine for now because it was on it when I bought it. Someday I might change it up, but for now I am good.
Side note, I am having to use spacers to mount my winch too, not a big deal.

 

[Aloha Jen]

No pics?

Twist my arm why don’t you!

Plus, you can always use it to ripen your banana harvest!!

 

[Bludozer]

Everyone knows the strongest and best looking bumper for an 80 is the Slee Shortbus.

 

[carbon60]

I really like the aussie-style bulbars. I have an ARB since maybe 2013 or so, along with the brushguards, and it has worked extremely well for the kind of tight tracks I am often on. I also want something that isn't going to bend my frame in a crash, hopefully by sacrificing itself, which I choose to believe the ARB will do.

I should add that the side bars were a really good idea: fewer scratches on the side of the truck, now.

 

[junior80]

You just need the lightforce 240s to complete it

 

[Bigdrewbowski]

If you are going for looks get the Slee. If you want protection from limbs and animal strikes get the ARB.
BTW, the Slee is stout, and well made, but little help against a deer.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I would not let a disposable winch like a Badlands decide which bumper you get.

If you live somewhere that deer strikes are a real problem (which is almost everywhere) a full coverage bumper is likely to provide decent protection from even the largest deer.

I personally like the looks of the Slee Short bus the best but it won't hold an M12000 winch.

4x4 Labs front is really innovative and good looking-not sure what winches it fits, but I'd want one to fit either an M12000, or 8274 which you will want in the end.

With that said, I've had an ARB since 2001 and it's held up well enough. Bent the side wing when #1 son ran into the back of a stopped Ford pick up , but the bend pulled out fairly easilly.

 

[cbpeck]

I got an ARB two months ago and I'm really happy with it. It seems to strike the right balance for a daily driven 80: stout enough to protect the truck from most things including animal strikes, but sacrificial in an accident.
I found a screaming deal on a new Warn 16.5ti, so I bolted it into the ARB without any modification (I did use a 1" cylindrical spacer and a longer bolt to mount the control box).
If you want to Fab something from scratch then by all means go for it. If you decide to mod an ARB then check out what Box Rocket did. His turned out nice.

 

[Ike4President]

Everyone knows the strongest and best looking bumper for an 80 is the Slee Shortbus.

View attachment 1697212

does the shortbus support a winch or light mounts?

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

The ARB is classic and has never stopped me from making it over an obstacle. Plus here in montana I need deer protection for the 80. Haven't nailed any yet but been a bunch of close calls

 

[NateMob]

does the shortbus support a winch or light mounts?

Yes, both.

 

[Tallyho74]

I went with the Costa fab front bumper and I wouldn't trade it. It's clean, built like a tank and the best looking bumper out there in my opinion. That being said if I did it over again, I would go with the Slee Shortbus. Not because I think it's any better because I don't. I just think it's a better price, it's crazy strong, comes powder coated and ready to mount and you will get it quite a bit sooner than I did the Costa which took 7 months. Then I had to have it painted or powder coated - I went powder coating which added a little more time upon delivery.

 

[cbpeck]

Slee takes a winch and lights, but has a small winch compartment, so it significantly limits the options you have for a winch. Most of the slee approved models are very expensive.

 

[Marco Lau]

i have an ARB w/ a 9.5k winch with spacers...love it.