Well sadly, even after getting an estimate from Geico ($2100 for front bumper and misc due to my most recent accident!) , since the air bags "won't go off" in a collision after installing an ARB, Geico won't necessarily cover any damages in future accidents if I were to hit someone with the ARB on the front. SO... I'll be getting an all new OEM bumper instead, and getting my OEM fogs back (after not having them for about 3 years)! Now, I might go about this myself (since my dad is no longer backing this)-- would there be any interest in someone wanting a brand new painted and fully complete Limited fat lip bumper? The only person I can imagine interested would be someone trying to sell their modded truck and need to turn it back to stock before putting it in the classifieds.

On a side note, which light bar (not brush guard or custom bumper or etc) would be the best to go with for a '02 fat lip? I was thinking a plain Westin one on Amazon for like $115.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but ARB bumpers are supposed to be airbag compliant, and should go off if in a frontal collision.

A quote from ARB's website....

"AIR BAG COMPATIBILITY
With an air bag equipped 4x4 it is essential that the vehicle's crush rate and air bag triggering is not altered when a bull bar is installed. To ensure compatibility, ARB assesses each vehicle's frontal crush characteristics and replicates the crush rate into the design of each air bag compatible bull bar and its mounting system. This method enables engineers to achieve maximum possible vehicle and passenger protection without affecting the crash pulse. ARB has invested heavily in vehicle crash barrier tests to validate the performance and compliance of its air bag compatible bull bars, and as a consequence, our bars offer a far greater level of protection than most standard brush guards and grille guards"

I'd get an ARB myself. In fact, I have one and I trust it a lot more than I trust the flimsy OEM bumper.

Who says the air bags won't go off with an ARB bumper? Geico? I'd be looking for a different Insurance company.

I had an FJ80 with an ARB Bull Bar W/ Warn Winch on it. After I sold it, it was in an accident, and the airbags worked just fine.

ARB's are supposed to be complianant with airbag stuff and all, Techno used to work for ARB, and he said so, ill try to get him to look at this thread to respond.

You beat me to it. I read that quote a long time ago on the ARB website. Email Geico with that website.

ive seen cars smashed beyond knowing wat it was yet no air bags went off

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll try to get that information across to Geico and see what happens. This doucher at a local body shop refused to quote me work one day (a very good shop who my dad has brought in literally hundreds of thousands of dollars of work for them) commented to my dad that the airbags wouldn't go off, blah blah blah, just because I had asked him to take a look at the damage done and if he could put an ARB on. Could you post up a link to where that disclaimer is? I need to send it to my pops.

Sure 'nuf, here it is....

Bull Bar - Bumper Production

By the way, there is no 3rd gen 4Runner listed, but the Tacoma of the same year uses the same frame, airbag system, mounting point for the bumper as the 4Runner. Basicly the same vehicle with a different body.
This is common practice among manufacturers, in case "anyone" tries to tell you different.

As already said, ARB bumpers are Airbag compliant. There mounts have crush zones built into them. Also the airbag sensors are mounted on the frame, not the bumper. If anything the ARB allows some impact protecting the airbags. Bumpers that don't have the crush zone will transfer all the impact energy into the frame which could cause the airbags to go off prematurely.

One thing to keep in mind when comparing the 4Runner to the Tacoma is that the frames are NOT the same. The ARB will bolt up to the Taco without any permanent modifications, however, the 4Runner requires the end plate on the frame to be removed. This plate is welded on therefore removing it is 'permanent' and it is this reason that ARB does not list the bullbar for the 4Runner. ARB does make any products that require permanent changes to the vehicles structural/safety components. (At least, this was the policy when I worked there 5 years ago.) However, I believe the Prado bullbar that some people like does not need that plate removed or grinded down, but ARB still do not list it because the Prados have other differences to the 4Runner.

I wish ARB would do something about this. I will write to my old boss in engineering and see what he says.

Btw, I aquired my ARB after an accident, but I worked it out with just the body shop and kept my insurance (Nationwide)out of it. I honestly have no idea if it could be a problem in the future so I might make some inquiries.

You're close here, but the sensors are in the cabin. The reason premature activation can occur is because the stronger front end will not crumple and absorb energy, instead the vehhicle will decellerate quicker and trick the sensor into thinking the collision was more severe.

Nice catch on the frame mod to make it fit.

Two of my airbag sensors are on the front frame, about 12"-18" back from the bumper (Yellow sensors and yellow wires)

Won't Geico just cut you a check and let you fix it yourself???

Sorry, yes, there are two sensors on the frame. They send signals to the sensor assembly unit in the cabin. The cabin stuff is what makes the determination on whether to deploy or not.

x2??