Considering an ARB bumper

Agreed, that's a bit over the top, even with a lifetime warranty. Going to do a bit more searching this weekend and see what I can come up with, but it's good to have options!

Apparently the ARB fogs in the Amazon link I posted above are the same too. There's only a 5" lead from each of the assemblies. I suppose even if I find another set of 4" lights I'd still have to find the courage to do splicing. I can splice computer wiring all day long, but I can safely assume my computing work isn't exposed to high winds, rain or snow!

 

If you have factory fogs you can use these adapters. I wired mine in a few weeks ago. And yes the bulbs are a pain to change out in the arb fogs. I replaced the ones that came with them with piaa plasma ion yellow bulbs I had left over from a previous car.

$8 iJDMTOY 9005/9006/H10 Male Adapter Wiring Harness Sockets Wire Compatible with Automtive Driving Light, Running/DRL, Fog Light, Retrofit, Off-Road Lighting, etc

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HNAT6SQ?th=1

 

I'll backup yeos on that one. I used the same adapter to avoid splicing into or cutting the factory harness. Super easy and took less than 5 minutes to install. I got the blue butt splicers from HomeDepot to put on the ends to connect to the ARB lights. Fit like a glove! Keep in mind that the fog lights changed in the 2012+. The ones he linked are for the 05-11.

The ARB lights have the same yellowish tint that my factory headlights have....for what that's worth. It is a very soft white.

The one question that @NM Lance asked that hasn't been answered is the one around the UCAs. If you are maintaining factory ride height, then replacing the UCA is completely unnecessary and could even have some ill effect. In fact, I lifted 2" with the Ironman lift kit and did not replace the UCAs. My alignment is not perfect, but is mostly in spec. I have heard others say that you only need the UCAs if you go above 2". I would like to have them, but they are not necessary. I have 50k mi on my lift, and probably ~20k mi with the bumper.

As for sag in the front on stock suspension, go find a buddy who weighs ~200# and have him sit on the front of the truck. That's what you can expect it to look like with the ARB bumper.

I looked at several aftermarket bumpers and went with the ARB for several reasons. There are some great looking options out there, and ARB is one of the heavier. However, I've seen actual pictures of the ARB after collisions with animals/trees whatever. They always look like they served their intended purpose. I cannot say the same for other bumpers....not that they don't serve the intended purpose, but I haven't seen the evidence (please don't think I'm knocking on other bumpers). ARB did a promotional video where they drop a bag from the ceiling of a warehouse that is supposed to represent the rough weight of a deer. The ARB took it like a champ and the other bumper they tested bent considerably. I just looked, but cannot find the video. I want to say that it was on their website. They are also one of the only that specifically state that airbag sensors are not impacted, though many will tell you that no bumper impacts the airbag sensors...just another thing for peace of mind.

Oh, and don't forget, it comes powder coated. Most bumpers come bare steel and will need to be painted/powdercoated/whatever.

 

Thanks for this link, yeos! I thought the stock fogs were H11, though? There's a button next to the H10 pictures for the H11 (

$8 iJDMTOY H11 H8 880 881 Male Adapter Wiring Harness Sockets Wire Compatible with Automtive Driving Light, Running/DRL, Fog Light, Retrofit, Off-Road Lighting, etc

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HNAT6CW). The fogs on the stock bumper that's laying next to our garage has pins that are farther apart than the H11 in the pictures however, so I don't know what to think now...

I totally agree with you, CowboyTaco, on the merits of the ARB. They're the exact same reasons why I went with it too. Living in deer country was my primary motivator! I've been in way too many close calls before this year, and I feel so much more confident that this upgrade has finally been completed. Between impact survivability and airbag compatibility, I was sold.

 

The stock 05-11 fogs are H10. The connector is the same or close enough that it works between 9005, 9006, and H10.

Sorry I linked the wrong one earlier. This is what you want. Same auction, but with the correct option selected.

$8 iJDMTOY 9005/9006/H10 Male Adapter Wiring Harness Sockets Wire Compatible with Automtive Driving Light, Running/DRL, Fog Light, Retrofit, Off-Road Lighting, etc

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HNAT6SQ?th=1

 

Thank you!!! Nothing would suck worse than getting the wrong one. Being able to use the perfectly good stock fogs would be optimal. Much appreciated!!

 

To be clear, that adapter doesn't allow you to use the factory fogs. That allows you to connect the ARB fogs to the factory fog harness (allowing the factory fog light switch to control them). Just make sure you get the right adapter for your year.

The H10 is for the 05-11 model year. I believe, but could be wrong, that 12-15 model year takes the H11.

 

Well, darnit. I guess I'll do a little more research. Surely someone else has successfully done the same thing I'm trying to do.... Thanks for the heads up, CowboyTaco!

 

How did you guys wire up the LED blinkers

 

Do you mind posting any pics or which ones you cut into. I have the foglight anytime mod already done. and just want to also confirm that the link for the for that adapter plugs right into the flog light connector. ( the one you disconnected from your stock bumper lights?)

 

Yeah if you could please post pics that would be great

 

Might as well go ahead and share what you learned too.

 

Bump

 

Yes, they were stupid expensive - i did get a discounted set, but that didn't really matter, since it was even more stupid expensive after paying in CDN $, and to import over the border.

That said .. i didn't like the plastic buckets provided. Looked chintzy. These Labrak inserts are distinctive, and the 4 LED pods throw a wall of light, far forward.

Yes, i've got armor hung onto a 5-lug, as commuting is something of a competitive contact-sport, some mornings.

The ARB install was straight forward. My 5-lug is different obviously from the 6-lug. with the LCA/UCA's being different on the 5-lug, aftermarket parts aren't commonly available/discontinued now. I had to pretty much go to looking at Plan B, which was a 2.75" front / 1.75" rear shock mount spacer, and AAL in the rear. I run Bilstein 4600's on the front, and 5100's on the rear. My front end initially sacked by about 1/2", and has settled out to around 3/4" lower, ~25,000km's later. No bottoming out, no corner wobbles. I don't know if there are aftermarket coils (without a LT kit) for this version Tacoma - i've not really looked for them, as i don't think that i have the need for them - but i suspect that there are no such uprated coils specifically meant for this version with the OEM, definitively non-LT suspension.

I obviously have no winch - there is no need for one with my little truck.

 

I guess we can't add rep anymore? Anyway, nice write-up. Did you ever do anything with the red wire for the whites?

 

Hook them up to the fog switch?

 

Dual-color LED module - half in white, half in amber. When no turn signal active, it runs steady white on 1/2 of the module. When turn signal is activated, the other 1/2 of the LED module kicks in, flashing amber.

 

The ARB on my first Tacoma took down a deer with no issues not long after I got it. No pictures because there wasn't much to see other than a banged up deer. It didn't fare quite as well against a Subaru and it took some damage. I walked away, the other driver didn't. I've posted this before but here's what an ARB looks like after impact. Corner impact, I was doing about 40mph, other driver's speed was calculated at about 50mph. Driver's side airbag deployed normally (no passenger side on the '95.5s). I'd already pulled the passenger side Hella 4000 before I took this picture that's why it's missing.



Current Tacoma (shop techs in the pic, not me):

Definitely upgrade the suspension, even if you don't add a winch.

 

Well my parts came in. I shall get on this tomorrow

 

I have two black wires from my ARB led blinkers