Considering an ARB bumper

Those are all good choices, but I think its more speculative. No one really knows what bumper will hold up better. Impacts are so varied its impossible to say one is better than the other.

I like my big, gaudy ARB style bumper. We are all different and all have different tastes. I think it would be just weird if everyone wanted the same bumper.

 

Yeah, I heard about the lower fascia situation and I wasn't too impressed... But, I was able to locate an unpainted replacement fascia for only $75, so I figured I would buy this and hack it up instead of my painted factory bumper cover.

I was also put off by the proprietary fog lights that can only be purchased through ARB.

I conservatively expect to spend $1600 for everything (OUCH), but I have a 1000 dollar insurance deductible, and I will have to put time into taking it to a repair shop if I happen to hit something. In the end, it may be a wash anyway.

 

Just an update... I am going to get one on order along with the 5100's, fog lights from ARB and unpainted front bumper cover.

I guess I will be the sacrificial lamb. But, I will let you guys know how it all works out and whether or not it is worth it.

 

Good choice!

You should be fine with the ARB on factory coils with the 5100's. I'd set the spring perch on either the second (.85") or the third (1.75") notch to compensate for the added weight.

FYI, a 05-11 ARB fits on a 2012+ just fine. Only difference is a slight gap below the grill. No need to cut/retain the factory bumper cover, and doesn't stick out nearly as much.

 

NMW, that looks auesome! Could you post some closer pictures of the gaps around the grill?

 

Thanks for the post! I am unable to view your pictures though, but I am not the greatest with computers. I will see if I can view them on a different computer.

 

Sure! I'll take some close up pics tomorrow in the daylight and post them up.

Thanks!

 

Just an FYI, look into TJM bumpers they are almost the same as ARB except for the center hoop but they come with fog lights included (50w).

Check with Sierra Expeditions, they are in Mesa Az

 

I would advise spending a little bit more and getting the 6112's. Love mine.
Used to be in PI quite a bit back when I lived in Houlton. Miss the country there.

 

Yes, as long as you don't clobber a moose. Then nothing much is going to keep you damage free, but you will have a much better chance of walking away from it I think.

 

Sorry for the delayed response. Here are some close up pictures of the 05-11 style ARB on my 2015:

 

The gap isn't bad at all. I think this looks better than the newer style that sticks out further and leaves a bigger gap unless you trim the existing bumper. Time to start saving up for mine...

 

I know I'm dredging up an old thread, but this one has been the most informative of all the ARB bumper + weight + suspension threads I could find, and also the most recent. At least it's still in 2016! I'm also on the verge of picking up an ARB deluxe bumper (from the TW marketplace even!) for the same reasons OP did, and am wondering how the OP did with his setup? I'm not considering a winch at this time either, and he asked the very question I've been doing some research on; try to maintain it's stock front end height and current comfortable ride. My '05 PreRunner V6 is at 85K miles and I was looking to replace the coils as well as the shocks all around, even before I spotted that marketplace post. (Toyota replaced my rear leafs this past summer, so there's that.)

I'm seriously considering the Bilstein 5100's front and rear, and wondered if OME 885 springs would be overkill?

Anyway, really hoping that OP will post, and that others might have any additional input!

 

That's awesome! I'd read in other threads that there's a definite 1" or more drop, and that with some potholey roads some bottoming out occurs... is that the case? Looks like you're rural and I'm on some country roads too, though admittedly it's mostly paved. Still, with relatively high miles, I figured shocks and coils were in my future anyway, so with the addition of the extra weight of the bumper, I thought I'd do the right thing. At least I don't have to worry about upgrading the control arm like those guys who are putting some extra lift on theirs.

So the Bilsteins AND the 885's, do you think?

 

Thanks rjbiii! I definitely appreciate the input. I sure hope the OP comes back and updates the thread too.

 

Unfortunately, I had to put this project on hold.

I began having issues with my 2003 Tacoma, and I had to put about $3000 in parts alone into it. I had other financial obligations as well, and I simply could not responsibly swing it.

I am still planning on installing one, hopefully in the very near future. My plan is to purchase Bilstein 5100's and the OME 885's as others had mentioned. I have seen at least two other Tacoma owners install these without any modifications at all, but I would worry about ride quality and the lifespan of my tires.

I do not plan on lifting the truck, so hopefully, I will not have to start with control arm replacements... This would be a deal breaker for me.

 

I wonder if the Eibach 620lb coils would do better than the 590lb 885's? Without a bumper the Eibachs are allegedly good for 1.6" over stock. I imagine they'd sag less than the 885's and may go good with stock rear springs.

 

Thanks for letting us know what happened OP, and sorry to hear about your truck problems. Hopefully you'll be able to do the new bumper in the near future!

I've been doing a little searching this morning, and am having a hard time finding the 620lb Eibach springs you've mentioned, randomguy.... I'm getting all kinds of info on lowering kits though. Eibach's own website only brings up shocks when I punch in my truck info. Would you have a link to an info page for these coils you mentioned?

I was curious as to why the OME springs, from 883 to 885, are all rated for 590lbs, and then jump to 660lbs on the 886? I can see they increase in height, but wouldn't that have any effect as to how much weight the spring supports? I'm certainly no suspension expert, but this was mystifying to me.

Okay. Off to work.

 

I think you have a good plan. Get the billies up front and raise them up to a bit with factory springs. The weight of the bumper should bring it back down to stock height. Since you don't offroad, blocks up front could do the same thing.

 

I'm running the eibach / toytec 521600 2.5" 600lb springs with my arb bumper. I've only got a few days of experience with the bumper on and I haven't used any other spring with a steel bumper before so I'm not sure how much of a review I can give you guys. I can definitely feel the weight up front and I lost 1/4" to 1/2" of lift.