Keep it stock or put an ARB Summit Bar on a 2017 TRD Pro?

Alright folks, a car hit me in the parking lot last week and scratched (being nice here) the side of my front bumper on the passenger's side. I was rather steamed about it b/c they did not even leave a note. Regardless, I filed a claim and I've been contemplating switching out my front bumper on my 2017 TRD Pro for the ARB Summit Bar (1. to get it ready for some overlanding adeventures in the future and 2. to protect it from things like this happening again in the city, add sliders from mobtown to the list too).

I've been searching the threads and maybe I'm typing up the wrong parameters, but I cannot find a thing to help me out. If I were to install the bar plus a warn m8000 would I need to be concerned about weight issues on the front and would the combo affect on my TRD Pro front suspension? Would I need to replace front suspension components? I would prefer to keep the suspension stock and not have to deal with modifying it if necessary. While I know that there are other types of bars out there, I would rather stick with ARB just because I have been very happy with them in past. I had one on a 1991 Pathfinder, 1996 Land Rover Disco, and currently on an 1993 FZJ80 Cruiser.

Any input would be greatly welcomed and thanks!

 

yeesh, I'll try to get a better picture tomorrow...

 

Yes, also add a f800 pro (or other) front and rear facing dash cam.

 

First, overlanding is really used a lot the past few years and probably less than 1 percent of us actually overland. Anything offroad wise I would replace it with something stronger like ARB it and great vendor on here

Will it sag with that setup you explained, more than likely yes.

You can probably get away with a small spacer in the front though

 

Yes, overlanding is used a lot nowadays (not just here, but also on Ih8mud), I get that, but that is the preferred method I would like to use it for when I'm not driving back and forth in the city and interstate (99% of the time). I'm not building a rig to take off and go bogging around in Alabama (where I currently live); I'd prefer to head out West or even up into the Appalachians of AL, TN, GA, SC, NC, or VA, get out, away, disconnect, and camp out. I'm also considering the GFC or AT Summit or Habitat camper top in the future as well as a rear bumper. I know those additions will cause me to have to switch out the leaf springs (probably the Heavy Duty Dakar Leaf Pack with an extra leaf) and possibly the coils in the front, but I figure I might be able to keep the shocks as is for now with the addition of the bumper and winch. I've read elsewhere too on here that adding spacers on the TRD Pro no matter what size messes up the original design of the vehicle, which has me questioning on whether I should add the ARB and winch or not. That advice was coming from other TRD PRo folks.

I've also been reading the other threads on here like: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plate-bumpers-after-impact-with-pics.379600/ and my past experience with ARB has had me happy, yeah I could go with Pelfrey or CBI, but going over that thread has me going back to what I've worked with in the past, not to mention the work put into the design of the bumper, passing crash tests, and dealing with airbag tech. I'm not planning on staying in Alabama and could be in a state where a modified bumper could matter (e.g. D.C.) from what I saw on some threads around here (I could be way off though). Thanks for you help though @TACORIDER

 

When you get the bumper, let me know how you plan to keep the front end up.

 

Have you considered looking into an aluminum front bumper? I think Demello had one on a scale at the Toyota jamboree and it was 60ish pounds

 

You don’t have to justify anything you do to your truck to the group. Do what you want to do and own it. Your money.

 

Never keep it stock

 

I just put the ARB bumper on my truck this week. The suspension seems fine in the front; it seems to have helped the sag being less pronounced in the back (I haul tons of camp crap) But I have the OME setup on my bench to install next. Just awaiting the leaf liners to finish. I love the bumper though!

Also, some of those scratches would be visible with the bumper as you keep a small piece of that plastic on the ARB. I also had scratches to both corners prior to the bumper upgrade. If you have any questions on the install, let me know. The directions were not so eloquently written.

 

as near as I can tell "overlanding" is a code word for "camping, but everything costs 3x as much and we put it on the 'gram"

 

" I parked in the yard once".

 

I wasn't trying to, more like trying to get a better understanding on other people's experience, whether or not people had installed an ARB bumper on a TRD Pro, and if it caused any issues with the current suspension setup. I couldn't find anyone who had, but hearing from @musher 's experience, it seems like it could be a go!

@musher thanks so much for sharing your experience, this is exactly what I was looking for! I've heard the directions aren't the greatest and I will be contacting you to find out more on what to do! I really appreciate it. I figured if I at least got one response that was helpful it would be worth it, and yours is right on the $$. Per the scratches, I can live with that.

I'll make sure to share the experience...

I had considered it, but based on my past experience with the ARBs and looking at the threads comparing the bumper setups and the accidents on other folks' Tacos, I'll be going with the ARB.

 

@CementTurd ARB is solid, I’m looking into in on my 80 series cruiser but only reason I did not get it on the Tacoma was because on the 2nd gens they have no recovery points. I saw a few on 3rd gen Tacoma’s at the Lonestar Jamboree this year and they look great. I didn’t pay any attention to the suspension they were running and of course the ARB vendor was rocking a nice OME setup. @musher said his suspension was fine for the front so hopefully that’s your case. Side note, the fit, finish and ride quality on the BP51s we put on my buddy’s is really nice but only downside is the split collar and you have to remove it from the truck or compress it to adjust. Just Incase you decide or have to switch the front out. Look forward to seeing it when you get the camper, hopefully it’s the habitat camper, those things are awesome

 

Thanks @TACORIDER, I'll keep you posted on the updates for both the bumper and the topper. I've been really eyeing that Habitat for a while, but the price, ughh. I've got some other stuff I need to work on, like we all do, both for work and fun. Lots of work especially on my 80, which needs a new driver's side floor pan. I'll post some pics of it tomorrow possibly. I installed the Dobinson's rear bumper on it recently and I need to wire it up and I just recently finished putting in dynamat after pulling the old deadner out. I also need to fix the electrical for the accessories since it was a mess when I got it. I think once I have it all put together, I'll more than likely sell it and then make the move on the Habitat. It too has an ARB on the front and a Warn m12000. The 80 was going to be the camping vehicle, but then I got the Taco and as much as I love the 80, I have no reason to keep two vehicles, especially when I can get better mileage with the Taco (19-22mpg) versus the 80 (10-13mpg) and enjoy saving some money once it's gone that can but towards getting away in the Taco.

Per the Taco. I was thinking I was going to go with the GFC at first but then I got to visit with the folks over at O'Neil Overland Mercantile in Atlanta. They were nice enough to let me check out the Habitat that day even though they were closed that day. The space in that camper won me over as I'm 6'2" and tend to get claustrophobic. That being said the clam design is not what I will be going for.

 

I love my 80 series and will start its build soonish. I love that camper but with me being a shortbed I couldn’t to it and my longbed is just a daily. Also I am too cheap so we just built a trailer and put the CVT MT Denali and we’ve been happy. Come on out to the jamboree you’ll love it.

 

Yeah that price for a lot of the camper tops like those are ridiculous, that's why I think I have mixed feelings about the Summit and the GFC. I'll have to check the jamboree out for sure. I googled it and looks like a lot of fun!

 

I’m surprised they are that much, back in the day a camper was pretty affordable but that’s what steered me away from it was the price. I like my trailer and makes it easy between vehicles
Ya it’s a 4 day party pretty much, if you don’t know anybody they do guided runs which are slow and they don’t look like fun. If you go with a group it’s way better. Come on out with us, there’s about 10-12 rigs and we bring our better halves and we all go out and do other trips. For jamboree we split into two groups at times for not as built up rigs or others will rise with us if they are not willing to scratch up their truck or ty an obstacle. We are stubborn and do it care for the bypass haha

 

Any updates on this? I too am considering ARB on a Pro.

 

ARB is a nice. I’d be happy to help out and get you the bumper and future suspension upgrades at a great price. PM me, let’s chat and work together