ALLPRO VS ARB

Allpro = form over function
ARB = function over form
Relentless = form and function
I chose Relentless cuz I like things to work like they should and look good doing it.

 

Does anyone know if the all pro has cut outs for a hi-lift?

I know my ARB does, they work awesome too.

 

Very well put. I've owned both versions of the AP front bumper. The 'greatly improved approach angle' stuff is BS. I have posted pictures side by side of the old one on my truck and the new on my truck (same day, same angle, etc) and the approach angle is only slightly better, but nothing to really brag about. I'm afraid to mount a winch to my AP, for fear that I'll hurt the bumper if/when I have to use the winch... SERIOUSLY.

I'd look into something more beefy if you are going off roading and want a bumper that offers more than 'looks' and 'clearance'. Just my 2 cents.

I'm thinking relentless front and ATO rear FTW!!!

Serious offer, I'll trade my relatively new AP with no damage and no rust for someone's relentless and I'll throw in cash and help with the removal and install.

 

I have none of the three bumpers but if you take a lesson from the real rock crawlers aka jeeps, you find the move is most definitely away from big heavy run into anything bumpers. In fact bumpers skids and sliders are now being made in aluminum which if designed correctly and of the right grade will perform as well or better than steel.

Weight hinders performance, both on and off-road. That is just fact and it doesn't matter what kind of offroading you do weight is the enemy. The more weight you slap on the vehicle the more negative the impact to performance. Suspension suffers, the engine and drive train suffer and of course gas mileage suffers.

Additionally bumpers are designed (or should be) to absorb the force of an impact and in doing so they will and should deform depending on the hit they take. Force doesn’t just disappear it has to go someplace and if you hit something hard with a big giant bulletproof bumper that force is obviously transmitted to your frame and surrounding components. Now depending on the hit both the bumper and the frame will survive no harm no foul but a big enough hit will damage the frame if some of that force is not dissipated by the bumper as it should be.

You have only to look at the stock bumpers on your vehicles (any vehicles) to see that manufacturers are not bolting big steel monstrosities on them and it’s for all the reasons above.

Now as was pointed out before, if you want to run your truck into trees and boulders and don’t want to damage your bumper and you don’t care about maximizing performance or damaging the rest of your vehicle then a big heavy steel bumper is for you! But in reality you need to find the best mix of protection and durability at the lowest weight. I like the relentless bumper in aluminum myself but that is based strictly on my opinion of what a good bumper should be as I have never seen it in person or used it.

I have used metalcloak bumpers on my jeep made from a mix of both aluminum and steel. Basically the shell was aluminum with steel end caps which worked great. I foresee a big push towards aluminum in the Tacoma aftermarket world as the word gets out so keep an eye out on the websites of your favorite manufacturers and I will bet more and more aluminum products are going to be cropping up.

 

The Relentless Fab bumper IS available in aluminum , I have one .

 

The allpro handles winching just fine. Ive had to be pulled and had to pull at pretty extreme angles and it did just fine.

Allpro has good approach angles too.

If you already have a bumper I have no idea why you would get a new one especially since you havent even been wheeling where you need a winch?! I dont get why you need a new bumper.

Its your money though.

 

I've only been on light to moderate trails. Nothing serious as I don't allow myself to get in situations that I can't get out of w/o a winch. This truck is my DD until I pick up something "more fun"

Glad to hear the AP holds up to winching. Maybe I'll spring for something very soon.

 

I call BS.

I have winched with two different AP, original plate version and the new version. I also drove my truck into the back of an 08 BMW (Cali Female Driver - Don't Ask) and nothing on my truck was damaged except the $22.00 headlight support.

Lrgrnr - what does your truck currently have on it for a front bumper?

 

I hear the new stickers have better ass clearance.

 

We gotta get you some ATO man. I hear he makes some pretty good armor.

 

Does the ATO skids work with the all-pro front bumper? If not I'm going to ditch this bumper and put the stock on (too much work trying to straighten this one out).

 

Good, I might be getting one for my birthday!

 

ATO is straight bolt on, yes, works fine with aftermarket bumpers.

 

Ok, I asked because the budbuilts need some modification and was wondering if ATO's did.

 

I love my ARB, but I will admit to missing some shackle mounts!