ARB (343020) on my 4Runner 2001 Limited with 1" body lift

[CrazyRussian]

ARB Bull Bar (343020) on my 4Runner 2001 Limited with 1" body lift

I'm thinking to install ARB Winch Bar (343020) on my 4Runner 2001 Limited. I have 1" body lift. Could you guys please let me know how hard will be installation/modification with 1" body lift? And also a good thread/video how to install? Everyone is saying that instruction is sketchy, so good build thread with pictures will be greatly appreciated.

ARB 4x4 Accessory 95-04
Model Number: 3423020
Model: Winch Bar

 

[BrianSD_42]

My build thread has 1" BL with ARB Tacoma bumper (the most common one) on 97 4Runner.

The BL does not make the install harder, I installed the bumper first then years later did the BL.

Linked below

 

[CrazyRussian]

Nice Runner Brian!

I just called to ARB tech support, they said there is no way to install it with 1" BL - liars. At least they said two things will happen:
1. Will be 1" hole between bumper and the body
2. Most likely bull tube will be on a way of headlight.

Brian you are in SD right? I'm in OC is there any way we can meet? I'm new in off roading and builds/mods. I would love to take a look at your Runner. Bumper is kind of big investment for me and I want to make sure that's what I want.

 

[Scramble]

I'm thinking to install ARB Winch Bar (343020) on my 4Runner 2001 Limited. I have 1" body lift. Could you guys please let me know how hard will be installation/modification with 1" body lift? And also a good thread/video how to install? Everyone is saying that instruction is sketchy, so good build thread with pictures will be greatly appreciated.

ARB 4x4 Accessory 95-04
Model Number: 3423020
Model: Winch Bar

There are other after market bumpers that can accommodate a 1" body lift so there's no unsightly gap & the bumpers are less bulky looking too. Addicted Offroad, 4X Innovations, CBI, Shrockworks.
This is how mine fits with a 1"body lift.

 

[BrandonF]

Im gtting rid of my ARB bumper. The approach angle sucks and if you actually wheel hard, it will flex into the body. I have body damage on both sides from it.

 

[TCMach]

Im gtting rid of my ARB bumper. The approach angle sucks and if you actually wheel hard, it will flex into the body. I have body damage on both sides from it.

You and me both haha.

you can modify an ARB to fit a body lift pretty easily. Check out J-money's build

 

[CrazyRussian]

So here is result of my research (not sure if you guys interested):

Shrockworks (really like their bumper) - ~$1400 - 3-4 months!!! wait time
4X Innovations (ok bumper) - ~$1240 - 1 month wait time
CBI (don't like at all) - ~$1270 - ready to ship
Savage off-road (mixed feelings) - ~$900 - 3 months! wait time
ARB (mixed feelings after you guys going to get rid if it :cry2 ~$940 - ready to ship

So, thank you guys for help and your opinion. I'm still not sure what to get. On one side I don't want to invest fortune into the car, on the other side the difference is $200-$300 so might as well to go with what I like.

I wish I can take a look at all of them not at the photos ...

 

[BrianSD_42]

Im gtting rid of my ARB bumper. The approach angle sucks and if you actually wheel hard, it will flex into the body. I have body damage on both sides from it.

Wow. I've had the opposite experience.

No body damage from twists and I've wheeled mine pretty decently over the last 5+ years of ARB ownership.

I found the approach angle to be fine, although I did cut the edges a bit Brian2Sun style.

 

[BrianSD_42]

You forgot an option, buy a used one for $250-500 and re-powder coat it for $100.

They age great and normal usage will show no damage, unless you crash it.

About my truck, sadly I'm rarely in the OC with it. Thanks for the compliment though. If I am up there some time for a group meet up then I'm down to chat.

 

[D Farms]

I heard once you turned around on a trail to prevent scratching your powder coated skid plate.

 

[BrandonF]

You and me both haha.

I feel like my new high clearance bumper is going to be a game changer for the more difficult trails. I just sent it in for powder coating this morning. The ARB will not be missed

 

[Scramble]

If the ARB flexes that much maybe it's better to have the 1" gap.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I heard once you turned around on a trail to prevent scratching your powder coated skid plate.

If you are talking about me I'd love to know when I wrote that. Haha. I guess it could have happened but right now my skid is pretty smashed. Currently it is already painted, not PC-d. I have to repaint it about every two years it gets so scratched up.

 

[mcaz5]

So here is result of my research (not sure if you guys interested):

Shrockworks (really like their bumper) - ~$1400 - 3-4 months!!! wait time
4X Innovations (ok bumper) - ~$1240 - 1 month wait time
CBI (don't like at all) - ~$1270 - ready to ship
Savage off-road (mixed feelings) - ~$900 - 3 months! wait time
ARB (mixed feelings after you guys going to get rid if it :cry2 ~$940 - ready to ship

So, thank you guys for help and your opinion. I'm still not sure what to get. On one side I don't want to invest fortune into the car, on the other side the difference is $200-$300 so might as well to go with what I like.

I wish I can take a look at all of them not at the photos ...

Check out these great options from Addicted Offroad. They don't have options for a 1" BL but still a great option for the price

Tube: Tube Front Bumper 4Runner (1996-2002) [aor-tube(4runner 1996-2002)] - $549.00 : Addicted Offroad is a full service Parts, Sales, and Fabrication company offering offroad parts for all makes and models, Addicted Offroad
Hybrid (My personal fav): Plate Front Bumper 4Runner (1996-2002) [aor-plate(4runner 1996-2002)] - $829.00 : Addicted Offroad is a full service Parts, Sales, and Fabrication company offering offroad parts for all makes and models, Addicted Offroad

 

[GSPRunner]

While the ARB wasn't my first choice when I got around to getting a bumper, I got such a great deal on it I couldn't pass it up. I do like the classic look of the ARB bull bar, but as the others stated, there is some left to be desired when it comes to approach angle.

 

[TCMach]

I feel like my new high clearance bumper is going to be a game changer for the more difficult trails. I just sent it in for powder coating this morning. The ARB will not be missed

I don't think the arb really held me back too much. On tougher trails like Kane creek and chinaman gulch I definitely had to adjust my lines accordingly and the approach angle was a huge bummer. But usually I just smashed into whatever it was and scraped up it until I was over it hahaha.

now that I've said that anybody want to buy my ARB

 

[buccaneerbandit]

arb

I love beat up crap, makes my truck look tough. Just like the trd stickers make it look fast. Sent you a pm

 

[BrandonF]

I don't think the arb really held me back too much. On tougher trails like Kane creek and chinaman gulch I definitely had to adjust my lines accordingly and the approach angle was a huge bummer. But usually I just smashed into whatever it was and scraped up it until I was over it hahaha.

now that I've said that anybody want to buy my ARB

Thats my problem though. The vertical edge along the bottom of the bumper snags on obstacles and when I try to drive through it, the flexy POS flexes into my body and causes damage. I guess it hasn't actually prevented me from getting through a trail either. But like you, I have to adjust my line and require a lot more spotting than I would otherwise.

My new bumper starts right at the end of my frame and only sticks out about 2" past the center of my grill at its biggest point.

 

[MandAtaco]

You can slot the mounting holes on the ARB bumper to move it up to accommodate for a 1". But thats all there is. I used a torch to make the slots longer.