Why not an ARB?
I bought mine for about $800 shipped. And it's already powder coated.
Honestly, I actually purchased a used ARB a few months back, cleaned it up, sanded, fresh coat of new paint, and got all ready to install...found out that one of my front frame rails was bent by the previous owner (the tow hook part is bent, you can see a thread I started
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/141219-repairing-minor-frame-damage.html) so I ended up selling it for a $200 profit because I was not ready to take it to someone to repair the frame rail and I do not have the appropriate tools to fix it myself. I also have zero experience welding and know that the end caps need to be removed and if winching, it is recommended to weld new end caps on for extra support, so I scratched the idea of an ARB.
Plus, IMO, they have a dated look to them...I am not hating by any means, just I like the look of the other ones a little better. Now if I came across one like Blcktpgsr's, I would pick it up in a heart beat as the modifications he made to the ARB make it one of the sexiest bumpers I have ever seen on a 3rd gen.
id go CBI, i have only had experience with CBI, but from everything i have seen, and head i would chose them hands down. not saying 4x is bad. but i have first hand seen CBIs products, both bumpers and other products, and its QUALITY stuff. and their customer service is top tear too. so thats my vote, plus i like the look of the hybrid
Good to know, and thanks for your input. I do love the look of the hybrid bumper, both front and rear...but rear is a ways away, front needs to be done now!
I would go with 4x Innov's personally...at least I plan to. I do like the CBI, but I like the fact that 4x's is all plate, and covers more. IMO it's just as streamlined and the CBI (I think the ARBs are too big), but still protects as much as the stock bumper. I did read about one person having fitment issues, but I believe it turned out to be a slightly bent frame or parts, could be wrong though.
I've seen a quite a few 4x products firsthand, and they are well built. I have never seen the CBI stuff, but I would assume it is just as well built. It seems like CBI is popular on the left side, and 4x is popular on the right!
Also, just my .02, I would paint the bumper yourself if you do any kinds of wheeling that could scratch it. Powder coating looks nice, but if scratched, it's a lot harder to touch up. You can get a pretty durable paint job with time and effort.
I too like the look of the full plate, as I cannot stand the look of tube bumpers (again, just my opinion) and how so much other stuff shows. There is just something very unique to the CBI hybrid that tickles my fancy...does show a little more of the underside than I would like, but I plan to fill the two main holes with AUX lights to fill it up a bit.
I have also heard about the fitment issues of the 4x bumper and that the customer service was not all that great...but it is a damn good looking bumper!
And I also agree with the painting by myself, and that is probably the way I plan on going...it is just kind of a pain is the @$$ and a tedious process!
I have dealt with CBI and I purchased their rear hybrid bumper with tire swing and gas can holder. That thing is a piece of art, very well built. Took it to the Rubicon and smashed it on every rock I could find
held up great.
Choose which you like, i'm only speaking out for the quality of CBI to help you out.
Good to know that it will hold up well! I absolutley love the look of the rear hybrid bumper and would to pick that up too...but I already have the front bumper and 7th injector kit from URD on my mind and need to get purchased before the rear bumper.
What about
Addicted's new bumper?
I saw this, and love the look of it, but I have a 1" BL and that bumper is not able to compensate a BL...so I have excluded that from my options.
I wish ODL still made front bumpers for us 3rd gens because they also had a sleek and sexy front bumper. I would have added them to the list if they were still available...plus I could have done a road trip to pick it up to save on shipping costs.
Shrockworks is also a very clean sexy bumper...but price and wait wise, just not really worth it in my book when comparing to the other options out there.
Thanks for all of your guys input, and please continue to give more feedback!
Ryan
The new addicted bumpers are way cool, too. Looking into a set for my 1st gen.
