My 4Runner vs Subaru Outback

[techno]

Well, its my 2nd accident in 15 years driving and my 1st in the USA, lets hope the insurance claim stuff goes through smoothly....
An old lady made a left hand turn in front of me this morning leaving me with no options. I hit her rear passenger side and messed it up pretty bad. The Subaru had to be towed, but I managed to limp the 4Runner home after the tow truck driver helped me pull the bumper away from the tire. Didnt get a pic of the Suby, but here's my poor baby

 

[Ron Helmuth]

Hope you are fine sir. We need you alive and kickin for the forum!

She was cited for failure to yield or some such offense I hope?

Let's get you an ARB bumper up front with the insurance money and take out her whole rear quarter the next time.

pesky Subarus they are like rabbits out here....

 

[techno]

Thanks Ron, everyone is fine, although the little old lady was shaking like a dog sh!tting razor blades. The whole back end of her car is trashed, and I wouldnt be suprised if they write it off. Funny you mention an ARB, as that is exactly what my 'economic stimulus payment' was going to!

 

[Rock Slide]

sucks to hear about your wreck. Glad both parties were okay.

Since you mentioned upgrading your bumper, how about getting a Sport hood while you're at it

Just trying to help make light of a bad situation. Keep us updated!

 

[TopRunner]

If you had an ARB fitted you would have gone cleen threw the soobie.

 

[Wombatsaw]

I did the same thing to some drunk running a stop sign. It was cheaper to do the arb bumper then doing the stock bumper mainly because of the fog lights. Might as well get the hood scoop.

 

[techno]

Update.
I have an ARB bumper on the way. To keep things on the legal side, the body shop had to quote the cost of repairs to return the vehicle to pre-accident condition, but instead of ordering a Toyota bumper I have purchased an ARB and the body shop will fit it and refund to me the cost of the OE stuff. So in the end the ARB will cost me $176. I'm happy with that!
Also, they wouldn't replace my hood with a sports one since that would be insurance fraud. They think they can repair mine.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

can't beat that

what a steal! you will love that beefy look up front.

You may want to consider Ritzy's mod, corner lights with supplemental turn signals. With the angles on the ARB bumpers it gives oncoming drivers a second chance to see your turn signal from more angles.

And it is a piece of cake to do, I could even handle that one.

 

[techno]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of the bullbar look. I've owned two ARB's in the past, one on a Hilux and one for a Nissan Patrol. Regarding the turn signals, I plan to fit some side signals just in front of the front doors. It beats me why they arent required on US vehicles as they are in most of the world. At least some US manufactures are starting to put them in as part of the side mirrors, and most of the euro makers are leaving them fitted for north american models. I'll look up that mod you suggested though, I like the sound of that too.

 

[techno]

ahhhh.... thats better!

 

[FishRunner]

techno

where are you in the 'burgh?

 

[4X4snowRunner]

Bull Bar

Nice!.....

 

[RonMAIDEN]

What,no sport hood?

 

[Ron Helmuth]

that really compliments the color of your ride.

what is that little orange dealie ma bob in the middle? is that a deer whistle?

blacked out grill would likely look nice against the ARB

 

[techno]

What,no sport hood?

i know...
I tried , but the estimator wouldn't do it unless I payed for the difference.

what is that little orange dealie ma bob in the middle? is that a deer whistle?

That is the bracket that hold a winch control box. The tech put it on for some reason, its coming off until I get a winch.

 

[bigtuna]

awesome!!!!

Your truck looks great w/ the ARB bumper.

I am considering installing this on my 2000 limited, what do you think now that you have driven it for a while?

MPG difference?
Rattles?

Nice truck

 

[peter78]

Re: awesome!!!!

Your truck looks great w/ the ARB bumper.

It looks a lot better. Did it cost quite a bit more than just getting a new Toyota bumper?

It looks BAD ASS and according to my son, that is good.

 

[techno]

The ARB cost me $760 shipped. The OEM bumper parts (everything related to the bumper) totaled $940. The body shop charged me 2 hours extra labor to fit due to the chassis mods required. At the end of the day, my car is fixed, I have an ARB bumper and $95 in my pocket.
I'm very happy with the bumper. Its very solid, matches up great with the 4Runner lines and gets plenty of positive comments from people. I cant actually confirm this yet but I suspect I am getting slightly better mileage with it, maybe due to the reduced frontal profile (ie, more aerodynamic). I'm probably dreaming, but my fuel records will confirm or deny this in a few months I'm sure.
No rattles at all.
Here's another pic from the side.