ARB or Fab Four?

So stating the obvious I'm new to the site and I'm looking to upgrade my bumpers. Its come down to the ARB, Fab Four, and Pelfreybilt. The Problem the forum is a little outdated I did thoroughly go through old posts so I thought I'd start a new conversation...The other thing is can you still get the Pelfreybilt?

 

Pelfreybilt is no longer around but if you like that style then check out BAMF. They took their stuff to the next level. I hunted around for my Pelfreybilt aluminum for like 2 years before I was lucky enough to find them. ARB is a great option too but as far as bumpers are concerned they are a different animal. So figure out what you'd like out of a bumper and consider the impact on your suspension beforehand.

Good luck!

 

Yeah Pelfreybilt is no more, unfortunately. Always heard good stories about their stuff though, if you can manage one used.

On the other hand, I went with the ARB on mine - I liked the fact it retained air bag functionality, whereas a lot of other ones don't.

Good luck, I think it comes down to personal preference and intended use, more than anything.

 

If you want to be able to plow through a herd of deer at 60mph and be fine...get the ARB. Built like an absolute tank (and similar weight lol), and the only bumper that's air bag compliant. Alot of function over aesthetics.

If your not as concerned about that stuff and prefer a different look, go with another manufacturer

 

I vote ARB.

 

Fab Four stuff looks ridiculous IMO

 

Not a fan of the Fab Fours. Between those choices, I would go ARB.

 

Love my ARB

 

I did an absolute ton of research on bumpers, and ended up with an ARB on my daily driver. Zero regrets. Due to methodical tire selection, my gas mileage was unaffected, which is a bonus.

 

Another vote for ARB.

 

I've always liked the ARB bumpers on the 1st and 2nd gen tacoma's! For some reason they don't look as good to me on the 3rd gen.

 

Really? I like the new ARB look, I actually want to find one and put it on my 2nd gen.

They're less angular and yet the 3rd gens are the less angular truck.

 

I guess they just make the front end of the truck look super long to me.

To be fair, I've never seen one in person on a 3rd gen so it could all be perspective.

 

Ah, quite right, it kind of goes over the stock bumper in part tou still have to cut the stock bumper but it does give the truck a severe underbite.

I picked my ARB up on the cheap but it didn't come with mounting brackets, had to fab my own so I took the liberty of mounting the bumper higher up and further back eliminating the need for any of the front bumper to exist, looks significantly better than where ARB has it located IMHO.

I like how ARB has the winch mounted to no stress the winch hardware as the winch feet face forward so any tension simply pulls the winch into the bumper harder rather than twisting force on a horizontal winch cradle plate like most bumpers.

 

ARB saved my passenger's life. Got T-boned by a Nissan Armada, both vehicles totaled. We had broken knees, ankles, fingers, ribs, and punctured lungs. I'm really, really glad the airbags went off. We are both still walking (hobbling) and talking. Three months later, I'm starting physical therapy on my knee and ankle.

 

The truck looks sick

but if you could pick any and do it over again, would you still pick ARB?

Many others still have one more more hoops:
-WarFab
-ATHFab
-Coastal
etc

They just look really long on 2nd gens, at least in pics
almost like it ruins approach angle and would get hung up on rocks
But you would know re: real world experience whether it's been an issue or not
None of the other fab company bumpers seem to stick out as far

That same bumper version on pretty much every other model 4x4 always looks better and doesn't stick out as far