Help me make up my mind on an ARB summit bumper

[Fermn]

Do I need it? Absolutely not.

Do I want it? Absolutely yes.

Honestly the only thing holding me back is the fact I'll be adding a lot of weight to the vehicle and that I have to cut my OEM bumper. I'm afraid the car will feel a lot more sluggish than it normally feels.

To anyone running a front bumper that do not need it... do you regret your decision?


Thank you :clap2::dance:

 

[yotantexas]

Love my front bumper but anything like that is a rabbit hole. Heavier springs up front for the added weight. Then its adding lights on the new mounting options. How about a winch? Dont forget the nice and swanky Factor 55 stuff to go on the end of the winch line. Current battery up to the task of a winch?

But really, there is a good bit to consider and not just slapping a bumper on.

 

[EmotionCRZ]

I love my ARB bumper. No regrets. Build quality is great. Recommend the LED fog lights from ARB, or STEDI.

 

[Ryance39]

Personally I don’t love the way it looks. Is it well made and tough, sure but the looks are the show stopper for me.

I feel like without other significant mods it sticks out a bit too much.

 

[John in NC]

I wouldn't want the gas mileage hit, and added weight hanging on the front unless I was a bigtime off-roader and adding a winch, just my opinion.

What about the front bumper clearance/ relief cut some guys have done? Give a different look and not add weight. "Free" too.

Or an aluminum front bumper? I don't know much about these so giving my 2 cents as I'm reading up on them.

Don't know if you saw this thread- ARB Summit Bumper

 

[rdruss]

I have an '03 and IF my front stock bumper were to get severely damaged somehow ( I don't off road) I would really consider a steel, or aluminum replacement, but the lightest steel I could find as I don't need to push trees out of my way.

 

[Nalcyon]

If I drove my 4runner everyday I would not do it. The way I am built is purposeful, (winch, bumpers, sliders, roofrack etc...) and works for me because the 4runner is pretty much used for offroad, towing, or a pleasure cruise on the weekend, but in 3 years of ownership we've put less than 20k on it including several 1000 plus mile round trips. The few times I've had to use it for daily driving duties I always think to myself I'm glad it is not my daily driver, due mainly to the weight.

 

[Fermn]

The truck is sort of but not really my daily driver as I do have another vehicle but enjoy driving my 4runner every day. Gas mileage already sucks as is, I guess the decrease in gas mileage is another thing I have to add to my "cons" list.

Thank you everyone for contributing to my post !

 

[Nalcyon]

The truck is sort of but not really my daily driver as I do have another vehicle but enjoy driving my 4runner every day. Gas mileage already sucks as is, I guess the decrease in gas mileage is another thing I have to add to my "cons" list.

Thank you everyone for contributing to my post !

Yeah the gas mileage is a thing, but more than that the stress on components the weight adds. Even though our vehicles have the payload the increased weight and stress will negatively effect the longevity vs the same vehicle without weight.

For me, because I now drive much slower, (around 65 top speed), and take turns and braking much slower, it feels analogous to driving a freightliner to pick up groceries.

The way I drive mine is if I have to have the capabilities, or if I want to enjoy the ride for a special trip, cruise, etc. I take the 4runner. If I have to rack up miles for work or errands, I take the manual transmission Honda Fit.

 

[sn_85]

Unless you really feel you need an ARB Summit bumper in Miami then I wouldn't get it. As others have said it adds unnecessary weight and the ARB Summit is a heavy beast at that. I think if you wanted a full bumper there are other options that are lighter. From what I understand the ARB bumper weighs 195lbs. You could get a Hefty fabworks full front bumper that's aluminum and weighs like 60lbs. Although after having lived in SoFlo for 3 years I can completely understand wanting an big beefy bumper for hitting things (or people)

 

[dylans]

I love my ARB. It is very heavy, and you'll notice the weight under acceleration and braking. Youll definitely need an aftermarket suspension setup to handle the weight, I went with Dobinsons.

As long as you adjust your driving habits accordingly and get a good feel for it, you could be fine. I drive a little slower and brake a little sooner, a little more distance between myself and others, I pay attention more but none of those are bad things. I've had the ARB for almost 3 years and driving with it is like second nature now.

I took a fuel economy hit, a few mpg's I think.

I added lights of course, since it's just begging for them once you install it. And it deserves them.

No winch here. Not yet. I mostly bought it for protection from animal strikes. There are a lot of deer and open ranges here in AZ, elk wandering around in northern AZ etc.

I daily my 4runner and have taken it on several 2000+ mile road trips and I do not regret the bumper in any way. It's a seriously well made bumper. I wouldn't go back, and I would do it again without hesitation.

I haven't hit anything with mine yet and have only heard reports of their worth in crashes (spoiler they do their job well), but their presence does make you feel safer while you wait for the universe to align you and a deer on the path to a meeting.

I could imagine that the feeling of safety might be akin to being inside of a tank.

I have the earlier version for the 10-13 4runner and the summit looks nicer in ways, just more refined.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Fermn]

Unless you really feel you need an ARB Summit bumper in Miami then I wouldn't get it. As others have said it adds unnecessary weight and the ARB Summit is a heavy beast at that. I think if you wanted a full bumper there are other options that are lighter. From what I understand the ARB bumper weighs 195lbs. You could get a Hefty fabworks full front bumper that's aluminum and weighs like 60lbs. Although after having lived in SoFlo for 3 years I can completely understand wanting an big beefy bumper for hitting things (or people)

Man, you hit the nail right on the head !

 

[Fermn]

Yeah the gas mileage is a thing, but more than that the stress on components the weight adds. Even though our vehicles have the payload the increased weight and stress will negatively effect the longevity vs the same vehicle without weight.

For me, because I now drive much slower, (around 65 top speed), and take turns and braking much slower, it feels analogous to driving a freightliner to pick up groceries.

The way I drive mine is if I have to have the capabilities, or if I want to enjoy the ride for a special trip, cruise, etc. I take the 4runner. If I have to rack up miles for work or errands, I take the manual transmission Honda Fit.

Sounds pretty much like the way I drive now, mainly to maximize my MPG's lol. I do like the idea of the beater car for errands. I haven't thought of that one. Thanks!

 

[Fermn]

I love my ARB. It is very heavy, and you'll notice the weight under acceleration and braking. Youll definitely need an aftermarket suspension setup to handle the weight, I went with Dobinsons.

As long as you adjust your driving habits accordingly and get a good feel for it, you could be fine. I drive a little slower and brake a little sooner, a little more distance between myself and others, I pay attention more but none of those are bad things. I've had the ARB for almost 3 years and driving with it is like second nature now.

I took a fuel economy hit, a few mpg's I think.

Any idea of what MPG you're getting now?

 

[dylans]

Any idea of what MPG you're getting now?

Well I also have sliders that weigh 55lbs each so that's a contributing factor in my gas mileage.

I drive on Yokohama Geolandar AT's in 255/75 17 as well. They're awesome so far off and on road.

But all that said, my tank average is around 17mpg. I'm still tracking it since my tire change and I use a scan gauge to tell me. I think it should settle around 18.