Arb or no arb?

[seanshreds]

My brother just got a 99 Tacoma that has an arb bumper that I believe will fit on it that I believe fits my 97 sr5 and I can probably buy it for about 400 bucks and it is in good condition, one or two scratches from the previous owner. I would really like to get it but I am 16 and decreased gas mileage is not something a can work with. Also, would I need to replace my front struts? I have read some threads and it seems like that is a yes. Overall, am i going to lose a lot of mileage and power? What about handeling? Any advice is much appreciated

 

[TRDteen]

With any aftermarket bumper you'll have to add new front shocks and springs. The stock suspension cant support the bumper. The handling should be a little different with the added weight in the front, but I cant speak from experience.

 

[mcaz5]

Actually a guy on here named farmerjon is running the ARB with stock suspension. I'd ask him about the handling and what not, it may sag the front a little to none at all depending on how old your suspension is. As far as gas mileage, it shouldn't be too noticeable. There was just a thread up about gas mileage and aftermarket bumpers.

 

[gannonrt]

I would assume that you'll hit something eventually since your 16 so I would get the front bumper. Not saying your a bad driver just that I would guess most of us had an accident while in high school.

 

[hrt4me]

My brother just got a 99 Tacoma that has an ARB bumper, that I believe fits my 97 SR5, and I can probably buy it for about 400 bucks, and it is in good condition, one or two scratches from the previous owner. I would really like to get it, but I am 16, and decreased gas mileage is not something a can work with. Also, would I need to replace my front struts? I have read some threads, and it seems like that is a yes. Overall, am I going to lose a lot of mileage and power? What about handling? Any advice is much appreciated

where are you located?

 

[the great him]

the ARB is about the lightest aftermarket bumper out there, they weigh like 78lbs. i really dont think you will notice any difference. fyi when i removed my bumper and brush guard off of my 97 to put on my ARB, the bumper and brush guard combo weighted less but only be a couple of lbs, it was still over 70lbs.

you should not have to replace your springs and struts unless you want to, and mileage i dont think will be noticeable one way or the other.

 

[nissanh]

It's your brother... so install the bumper first, drive around, check the gas mileage and see how it goes.... If you are happy... pay him, if not, give it back to him.

 

[farmerjon]

Actually a guy on here named farmerjon is running the ARB with stock suspension. I'd ask him about the handling and what not, it may sag the front a little to none at all depending on how old your suspension is. As far as gas mileage, it shouldn't be too noticeable. There was just a thread up about gas mileage and aftermarket bumpers.

Thanks for the shoutout, mcaz5!

As for my rig, yes, I do run a Tacoma ARB on my stock suspension rig. You can check out my photolog linked in my signature below if you want to see pictures of it - the rig doesn't have much, if any, noticeable sag... As for handling, I don't think it makes that much of a difference. I LOVE having it there, because I can see exactly where the end of my truck is, it really comes in handy when parking or turning, etc.

I get around 20 MPGs on stock suspension with ARB and conservative highway driving (like 60-70MPH, easy acceleration)...

I would say, go for it! You have little to lose, it's your brother, as nissanh said, and it's cheap too.

Hope that helps!