Front bumper armor questions

My Two Cents = From the research I did a couple years prior to purchasing a front bumper, best I could tell ARB is the only supplier that actually conducts the engineering analysis and engineering design to NOT alter the crush resistance of the truck. Yes, the mounts of the ARB are designed to compact under a collision, at the same rate as the stock crush cans. Bumpers mounted directly to the frame will likely be much more static in a collision and experience/cause less visual damage. Why should you want your bumper/mount to compact/bend/mangle? - In order to dissipate as much energy as possible before the force reaches your body in the drivers seat. Also, once you alter the crush rating of your truck, your airbags will no longer deploy at the specific millisecond it was designed to. If you remove the functionality of the crush can, your body will experience more forward momentum prior to the Air Bag deploying in an accident, thus reducing the effectiveness of the Air Bag. I suppose it would even be possible for your body to hit the steering wheel before the Air Bag even goes off if you attached solid steel right to the frame and experience a high speed impact with a stationary object. ARB is the only vendor I can remember even mentioning Air Bags in their product descriptions. Needless to say, I have an ARB...

 

Quote from ARB's website:

"AIR BAG COMPATIBILITY With an air bag equipped 4x4 it is essential that the vehicle's crush rate and air bag triggering is not altered when a bull bar is installed. To ensure compatibility, ARB assesses each vehicle's frontal crush characteristics and replicates the crush rate into the design of each air bag compatible bull bar and its mounting system. This method enables engineers to achieve maximum possible vehicle and passenger protection without affecting the crash pulse. ARB has invested heavily in vehicle crash barrier tests to validate the performance and compliance of its air bag compatible bull bars, and as a consequence, our bars offer a far greater level of protection than most standard brush guards and grille guards."

 

Awesome info! Looks like when I decide to add a bumper, it will he an ARB

 

IMO Pick a bumper that you like. Do the research. All vendors of aftermarket bumpers will tell you all the bs for buying there's. Choose the bumper that fits your needs. Call the vendor you want to purchase from and ask them all the questions, when you feel satisfied with that vendor then buy it.....

 

How is the suspension after a heavier bumper with the added weight? Is an upgrade necessary or will stock handle the load?

 

Are trucks air bags are triggered by g-force, so the front bumper will not affect that at all. You hit something regardless of what you have the stopping force will create g's and bam airbags go off. Now there wont be as much energy absorption with a full steel bumper, but the stock crush bar doesn't really have any of that either. You get in an accident the mounts will bend air bags will go off if enough g's occur.

I had full skids and sliders and I felt the weight on my truck. The ride was definitely softer, and I was sagging to the point that I was rubbing with 265 size tires, on certain bumps in the road while turning. Will it handle the weight, yes, but depending what you do performance may be sacrificed. Normal driving wont/shouldnt be an issue.

Op, any bumper you go with will be fine. Arb is definitely heavier and pricier do to all the R&D. Aluminum is lighter, but consider after hitting a deer, the ability to bend it back may not be possible do to how soft it is, where steel you can bend back to a certain extent. IT will definitely save the vitals of the vehicle, but may be hard to get insurance money to repair (if your covered).

 

Here is my truck after a collision with a dodge 3500. I was parked and he was going between 35 and 45.





If it weren't for my Relentless front bumper my engine would have been smashed into the cab.

 

I have the standard ARB. When I added it to the front, my suspension compressed over 1" from the weight. Is it possible to run with no lift.....yup. But the ride will be slightly different.

As for it's toughness.....I clipped a Honda Accord on the rear fender while pulling out of the grocery store (low speed, 15 mph or less). Her fender, trunk & bumper were demolished. They totaled her car & I had light paint scratches on the ARB. The deputy was in awwww with how the bumper held up.

 

Not to be picky, but I'm sure you meant under the cab. Engines don't go into the firewall. The design of the front end pushes them under the truck. It's been that way for a while now. When my brother totaled his early 2000's GM truck I went to see it and his 327 had left marks on the firewall right where the transmission is supposed to be . He walked away from it.

 

Yes...into the firewall and down....not thru