Considering an ARB bumper

The deer and critter population in my area has exploded and I am considering purchasing an ARB bumper for some added protection.

I have read multiple threads regarding ARB bumpers and most of them involve considerable suspension modifications. Most of the guys with ARB bumpers are hard-core off roaders from what I gather...

I am not a big off-roader, and I would like to modify/replace as few suspension components as possible while still maintaining my factory suspension geometry. I am okay with some forward rake, but I don't want my truck to look like a door stop either.

I do not plan to add a winch. I am considering Bilstein 5100's to minimize forward rake. Will these shocks be enough to keep my truck at stock height in front while maintaining a near-factory ride quality? I am not willing to purchase new front springs, so this would be a deal breaker as far as the bumper goes. I have looked at other brush guard options, but most of them seem to be more ornamental than functional (please don't beat me up for that comment), but that is just my take on things.

Any advice?

 

Sub'd for answers.

 

subd

 

I hear you. Your reasons are the exactly the same I built my ARB clone.

I copied everything I could, but opted to drop down a size in sheet steel for weight savings. I'm running original TRD springs and only ended up dropping the front end 1/4" (give or take). Could be more now, but its not enough for me to go out and buy heavier springs.

My intention was never to prevent damage when I or if I contact a deer. I only wanted to protect the radiator enough to reduce the chances of a puncture. Basicly, I just wanted to increase my chances to limp home. I fully expect front end damage when the time comes.

I think my home made Australian 'Roo Bumper looks great and I expect it to serve me well. Unfortunately, I can't tell for sure until I have a deer/car interaction.

 

Wow, you built that bumper on your gen 1? That looks great!

I would really like to build my own, but I don't have the skill or finesse to do it

 

Look into any plate bumper. Hybrids are good if they are DOM tubing, not sure how many are. I don't like the ARB because IMO it looks to big and cluncky. Doesn't help your approach angle at all, if not makes it worse. Pelfreybilt or brute force fab look so much better I think

 

Brute Force plate bumper with full hoops

Do it

 

With the ARB front bumper, in order to maintain the stock height, I believe 5100's w/ OME x885 coils are a necessity, and possibly aftermarket UCA's to help your alignment...

 

Although I don't have an ARB bumper on mine yet, I think you'll be fine with 5100's to compensate for any droop. I also agree with you're assessment on the other options.

Edit: From what I've read, the reason most get new springs, etc... is because they also install a winch with the bumper.

 

Nw trail innovations
I have a buddy running one on his stock 4runner and he loves it. I was thinking about going this route for my 2nd gen taco
It is a weld yourself kit. But if you cans weld or have a buddy that would help you out that would be a good way to go

http://nwtrailinnovations.com/toyota-tacoma-2005-2011-winch-bumper-kit

 

What is DOM tubing? I'm not familiar with it, hence my question. Thank you!

 

here is a better pic.

 

There are different types of tubing. DOM, ERW, Seamless...etc... Each with different qualities, strengths, weakness. DOM is one of the strongest types.

DOM stands for Drawn Over Mandrel. DOM Steel Tube is produced using uniformly high quality C1020 steel strip and is formed and electric resistance welded into its basic shape. After annealing to produce a uniform grain structure throughout, the tube is then cold drawn over a mandrel to give it these advantages: uniform concentricity around the central axis, better ovality, closer tolerances, denser surface, uniform wall thickness, and higher physical properties. The cold working process works the weld area to produce a sound, dense, and homogeneous structure comparable to that of the base metal. The weld line disappears, causing DOM tube to be virtually seamless. The surface is superior to that of regular seamless tubing, since the material has been cold drawn from strip steel. The hole is straight and concentric with the outside diameter. DOM Steel Tube may be machined, formed, welded, carburized, and subjected to other fabricating techniques that are ordinarily applied to low carbon steel. The use of DOM Steel Tube gives you a guaranteed micro-inch surface and lower productions costs by reducing or eliminating such operations as boring, honing, and finishing.

To learn more about different tubings: http://metalsupermarkets.com/blog/difference-between-erw-dom-and-seamless-tube/

 

Thank you! Very informative and helpful!

 

I've been running an ARB on stock suspension for about a year and 10k miles. Front fender to hub measurement on my dcsb sport 4x4 is 19.5".

I lost around .5" of ride height and the weight is noticeable under heavy braking. It's never been a safety problem for me and doesn't look ridiculously low.

That said, I will be replacing my front suspension to get my factory height and clearance back and to address the nosedive. I'm going with 884s for a higher spring rate because my coils are likely pretty worn out.

If swapping the springs really isn't an option I'd go the hybrid route. $165 for springs doesn't seem as bad when you start pricing out some other bumper options with comparable features.

 

I had my ARB on stock springs and shocks. The ride wasn't bad except that I bottomed out (nosedived) a fair amount and corners were sometimes sketchy. With adjustable bilsteins I would say you could make up for any loss in height.
I will link some pictures when Photobucket is back up..

 

Thank you Mike. Just curious though, are the extended UCA's necessary if I am just trying to level my truck? I am currently at stock height. I understand the idea behind the stiffer springs since I am adding weight, but I am just wondering about the UCA's. Thanks again for your feedback.

 

I agree... the ARB does look big and somewhat ugly. The ARB sparked my interest after reading two or three threads in which the OP's had smacked some wildlife with somewhat minimal damage. I will look into the Pelfrey and Brute Force options. Approach angle is not really a deal breaker for me since I do not regularly go off-roading.

The hybrids look really cool, but I would like to keep my fog lights and they are just a little too off road oriented for my application.

 

Not sure if you are aware but for the 2012+ Tacomas the ARB bumpers require you to cut and retain your lower plastic fascia. Obviously those with 12+ model year Tacomas that go with the ARB don't care but it is something to consider.

It'll look like the pics in this thread, where you can see the lower bumper behind the ARB to fill in the gap between the headlights and grill and such:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/so-i-bought-an-arb-bumper-for-my-2012-dc.258880/

In my opinion its ARBs way of adapting their bumper and saving cash on having to match it up to the front end geometry, since it is after all, only applicable to 4 model years.

 

Pelfreybilt, brute force fab, Relentless fab etc.. bumpers will all old up just as good if not better than ARB to hitting a deer or wildlife.