Sell me on the ARB deluxe bull bar, or show me yours ;) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter skkppy
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They work good on people too!
thedoughboy
SILVER Star
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
I ran the ARB bumper on two 80s for the past 18 years. It's a decent bumper. Is it the strongest? No. Is it the best looking? That's personal preference. Winch options? Several. I now have a custom bumper that I'm positive is stonger than the ARB and better looking IMO and holds the winch I want.
In the end, here's my advice. If you live/drive in an area where hitting wildlife is a REAL possibility, a bumper that protects the radiator, headlight area and can possibly deflect an animal downward (or keep it from going over the hood into the windshield) is a good choice. The ARB is a bumper that fits that description.
But to the OP, I see you're in SoCal which isn't particularly known for lots of animal strikes unless you consider pedestrians animals.
So I don't know that you need "full face" protection, unless that's the look, style and protection you want.
Another option since you can do a bit of fabrication is to modify a non-winch version of the ARB. I prefer the non winch version for the look. The smooth front is cleaner IMO without all the winch brackets. My ARB was modified by the previous owner of my '93 when I bought it in 2000 and all the winch brackets had been removed since he didn't plan on having a winch. When I added a winch it was a simple thing to weld a universal winch mount across the frame attachments of the bumper. This also opened up lots of options for additional winches, particularly larger ones. If you a modifying it, I'd also suggest reinforcing the side wings which are prone to bending easily.
Here's my modified ARB (which I recently sold to another cruiser owner)
This is what I replaced it with. Even though animal strikes are possible in Utah (I've hit two deer in the last 15 years) it's not a real worry for me. So this bumper has minimal tube work above the actual bumper. The single tube is there to provide a bit of protection to the winch and to have a place to mount lights. Simple, clean and strong and works with my winch.
In the end, here's my advice. If you live/drive in an area where hitting wildlife is a REAL possibility, a bumper that protects the radiator, headlight area and can possibly deflect an animal downward (or keep it from going over the hood into the windshield) is a good choice. The ARB is a bumper that fits that description.
But to the OP, I see you're in SoCal which isn't particularly known for lots of animal strikes unless you consider pedestrians animals.
So I don't know that you need "full face" protection, unless that's the look, style and protection you want.Another option since you can do a bit of fabrication is to modify a non-winch version of the ARB. I prefer the non winch version for the look. The smooth front is cleaner IMO without all the winch brackets. My ARB was modified by the previous owner of my '93 when I bought it in 2000 and all the winch brackets had been removed since he didn't plan on having a winch. When I added a winch it was a simple thing to weld a universal winch mount across the frame attachments of the bumper. This also opened up lots of options for additional winches, particularly larger ones. If you a modifying it, I'd also suggest reinforcing the side wings which are prone to bending easily.
Here's my modified ARB (which I recently sold to another cruiser owner)
This is what I replaced it with. Even though animal strikes are possible in Utah (I've hit two deer in the last 15 years) it's not a real worry for me. So this bumper has minimal tube work above the actual bumper. The single tube is there to provide a bit of protection to the winch and to have a place to mount lights. Simple, clean and strong and works with my winch.
4x4 labs with mods...
NLXTACY
Wits' End
lcgeek
Glad to meet you!
Last edited:
No deers hit with my ARB. It's non-winch mount and bought is used for $300 = win till I need more. However, it did protect the rig against a highway speed garbage can strike about a week after I installed. DEMO'd the can into a shower of 10,000 pieces. Zero damage to the rig. So, easily paid for itself already.
NLXTACY
Wits' End
BMW X5 made a hard right from the left lane cutting off my wife. The ARB peeled off the fender and both passenger doors from the X5.
I had to repaint the ARB to remove any evidence from my truck HAHAHAHA
I had to repaint the ARB to remove any evidence from my truck HAHAHAHA
I still think the ARB is the best looking on a 80. Had mine for over 10 years.
One thing I always see people complaining about the arb bar is the two small eyelets on the front of the bar not being big and beefy enough.
They are not recovery points. You will end up wearing a bow shackle if you snatch off them.
They are there to bolt on a bracket made for a hilift jack, so you can lift the front of the car. you can buy it from arb.
They are not recovery points. You will end up wearing a bow shackle if you snatch off them.
They are there to bolt on a bracket made for a hilift jack, so you can lift the front of the car. you can buy it from arb.
ARB will always give you the classic look that will never get old.
With that said the 4x4labs is what goes on all my rigs front and back. Best clearance from all bumpers if you need it.
But if you ever hit a deer or a kangaroo with another bumper than an ARB, it will be your new passenger.
With that said the 4x4labs is what goes on all my rigs front and back. Best clearance from all bumpers if you need it.
But if you ever hit a deer or a kangaroo with another bumper than an ARB, it will be your new passenger.
I have no issues with the ARB bar. I have had them on both trucks. I'm not a fan of the "prerunner" look, but to each his own.
The ARB on my 91 saved my White 80 when a woman was reversing on an entrance ramp around a blind curve. It was a square hit and I pushed her trunk into the back seat as the rear of her sedan exploded. The powder coat on the ARB was scuffed and needed to be touched up.
The ARB on my 91 saved my White 80 when a woman was reversing on an entrance ramp around a blind curve. It was a square hit and I pushed her trunk into the back seat as the rear of her sedan exploded. The powder coat on the ARB was scuffed and needed to be touched up.
Got an ARB cheap on my 1st 80. I hit a deer and rear ended a car with it with no trouble for me. The deer was mangled to the point of no salvageable meat and the car had some damage. It was my fault but sucked. The lady took off for a stop on an off ramp. I looked over my shoulder and started to go. She slammed on the brakes in front of me for no apparent purpose. I asked if they were okay and they were. I then asked why she stopped and she said she saw a big silver truck coming and thought it was a car in the lane she was trying to enter. It was me behind her and we were both trying to enter that lane.
My second ARB came on the 80. One deer kill and no damage to the bumper. We've got tons of animals around here. I probably won't change bumpers unless we leave Idaho which we probably won't ever do.
I know that all three of these bumpers have killed deer. Two with me driving.
My second ARB came on the 80. One deer kill and no damage to the bumper. We've got tons of animals around here. I probably won't change bumpers unless we leave Idaho which we probably won't ever do.
I know that all three of these bumpers have killed deer. Two with me driving.
