Decision on ARB bumper

[xskydivingdudex]

So i have a chance to get a used ARB deluxe bumper for $500 but im not sure if i should pull the trigger on it or not. I've always wanted one but 500 just seems a little pricey, granted i know they are 850 new... Just seems like some of u guys get better deals ranging from free - 400.

The only thing discouraging me from purchasing it is the price somewhat and the effect in mpgs to the 4runner. This is my DD but will give me more reassurance bc ppl in parking lots have a tendency to bump my brush guard.

So i guess the ultimate question is should i buy the ARB bumper for $500 or wait later on down the line in hopes of finding a better deal?

 

[FoneRunner]

I paid 500 and lost nothing on power or mpg...I say do it. Used ARB are rare at best and they beat the heck out of brush guards. Just my 2 cents....

 

[xskydivingdudex]

ya i know its better then a brush guard but im just not sure if i should pull the trigger on this deal... i only have $500 to spend so this will cut me from mods for a while and i had to scavenge for this money too. haha

i was also wondering if i could just get away with cutting the end plates off the frame with the sawzaw or do i have to weld the center bracket back on. Like i know ppl said u have to for sure when adding a winch but i know that wont be in the near future since im a college student and have a 14 month old.

 

[FoneRunner]

ya i know its better then a brush guard but im just not sure if i should pull the trigger on this deal... i only have $500 to spend so this will cut me from mods for a while and i had to scavenge for this money too. haha

i was also wondering if i could just get away with cutting the end plates off the frame with the sawzaw or do i have to weld the center bracket back on. Like i know ppl said u have to for sure when adding a winch but i know that wont be in the near future since im a college student and have a 14 month old.

Its such a cool mod though that you won't need to mod anymore for a while. When mine was mounted, we only had to grind off the little ears on the frame caps. Maybe check on that before you mount it...no need to do more than you need to. On the winch...and again maybe somebody can chime in here...but I was led to believe that it doesn't need to be welded on in order to winch stuff.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

ok just making sure bc my dad knows how to weld but id rather not have to do it now since i rarely see them so i dont wanna wait til im home to get it installed.

 

[FoneRunner]

Mine is bolted on and its solid as a rock. No wiggles shakes or movement of any kind...BUY IT!! or let me...I'll do it just because!

 

[bak3rme]

lol i think i saw that ad for the 500 tacoma arb in TX. was gunna tell u about it but thought it was too much

 

[brian2sun]

Just do it! I welded my mounts to my frame with a couple 1" strips where I could grind them off easy if I ever had to remove it. The other option if you're going to be pulling/winching with it would be the "end cap mod":
NWToys.com - Frame Endcap Modification
But I think that's also a lot more work and mine has held up to a lot of abuse.

Keep in mind (for whoever might be reading this), if you ever plan on getting a body lift than you will either have to cut and weld the mounts higher, drill new holes in the bumper like I did (for BLs 1" or less), or put up with a gap. Here's a thread about it the 2 techniques:
Arb bumper with a body lift - fix - YotaTech Forums

And some pics of cutting and welding the mounts (this was for a 2" BL):

Pic of my mod (for a 1" BL):

 

[atokin]

if you got the cash I say do it.... Its rare to find parts for runners on cl here in Texas... You won't see another arb for sale in cen tex for a while

 

[bak3rme]

yea, i'd say do it also even if it means u cant mod for another year. u'll love it. not that i have one but those things are hard to find. see if u can get it down a bit before you buy.

 

[shadofax]

I say go for it I would but I'm in freaking Iraq!:sniper:

If I was back in Abilene I would give you a hand in putting it on but dont get back till Dec. Good luck what ever you decide!

 

[xskydivingdudex]

So this has been one of the hardest decisions ive had to make since it was such a big purchase and money for me is soo tight right now... I kept changing my mind every 5 minutes on whether i really needed it or not. Well the gf told me that i should buy it for sure since i prob wont find another deal like this for a long time and that i deserved it. :reddance:

I just got to work after a long morning of driving an hour to pick this thing up in San Marcos and was very pleased with the looks of it... The bumper and brackets are in great shape and look almost brand new! The guy selling it owns an offroad shop and seemed pretty kool.

**Only thing i need HELP from u guys is wat bolt sizes and lengths do i need bc the guy couldn't find them with all the crap in his shop.**

 

[brian2sun]

The mounts use the existing tow hook/tow eye bolts. Then you'll need to get 6 for the bumper, but I'm not sure what size. I could look, but I'm not sure how to tell the size without matching it by eye anyways. Call ARBUSA, they should be able to tell you.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

ok so i use both sets of bolts for the tow hooks? thnx for the help dude and ya ill give them a call...

 

[bak3rme]

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
everyone is scoring except me! someone pass me the ball!

sell that brush guard for 100 and u got the ARB for 400!

 

[xskydivingdudex]

Ya dude im hoping to get 200-250 for the brush guard and the stock bumper so i can get that 2" BL ive been wanting... I really thought bout getting some 17" blacked sequoia rims for $100 but dont have any funds left so i guess itll have to be someone else's score.

 

[gannonrt]

Congrats on the ARB

That's a great find. I've been searching for about a year but decided to give up because it was delaying the lift I wanted to put on.

 

[bak3rme]

Ya dude im hoping to get 200-250 for the brush guard and the stock bumper so i can get that 2" BL ive been wanting... I really thought bout getting some 17" blacked sequoia rims for $100 but dont have any funds left so i guess itll have to be someone else's score.

those rims for 100? i say sell the brush guard and bumper and use that to buy those rims...then u;ll have a bit saved over and u can use that to work off towards ur BL..coz for 100 thats a hella good deal

 

[xskydivingdudex]

lol ya dude i would definitely go for the lift first bc it will be worth it and itll just come in time. I saw a deal a while back on CL right after i got my lift and couldnt afford it so i had to pass... Also it was a 4 hour drive to pick it up so this worked out but just dont be in a rush unless u can buy one new.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

lol ya ive been trying to get him to barter with me since i have so much stuff i dont use anymore thats worth alot... if these are still available once i sell some stuff im gonna get them for sure since i want new rims, i really want black TRD FJ rims but im willing to take these. I just need to make sure i get the BL once my tires wear down and the rims i plan to run with bc i cant afford multiple sets of tires especially those pricey 315s.

those rims for 100? i say sell the brush guard and bumper and use that to buy those rims...then u;ll have a bit saved over and u can use that to work off towards ur BL..coz for 100 thats a hella good deal