ARB Products - Opinions for Build

Hi All:

So, I’m requesting opinions (and experience) on ARB products for my TACO (2017 Off-road). Here’s the deal. I live in DC. I no longer have a driveway or garage to do my own work. Accordingly, unless it’s a simple bolt-on, I need an installer. My truck is Quicksand, so I like accessories with the “natural black” finish. “Coloration” isn’t a factor for me.

Respectfully, many people post in this forum without giving “reason” for use. Again, here’s the deal. I like camping. I’ve done backpacking, hiking, etc., WV, VA and MD. Love it. BUT, my dog and I are getting older (SIGH). 15 to 20 miles/day on foot isn’t easy anymore. Trail driving and “plop” camping is much easier (I know, sorry). Designated trails and fire roads in the eastern forests would be my application.

Bought my TACO in July of 2017. It’s got 1,300 miles on the ODO. Want to see at least 15 years out of it (not a daily driver). My current mods are all cosmetic. I’ve built (from scratch) two previous trucks, a ‘68 Sububan and ‘75 Blazer, ground up, new engines, whole 9 yards, did all the work myself. Loved both of them. Took them everywhere, got them out of everything, not my first rodeo. I’m running factory suspension and tires on my TACO. Couldn’t bring myself to replacing new rubber, especially for my application. For me, quality and reliability are more important than price.

I like a “plan” for mods. Right now, that includes the front end, rear bumper, rub rails and undercarriage “armor.” Recently, I was looking at a used ARB Summit “Bull Bar” in another thread. To check it out, I called ARB in WA. They answered on 2 rings, transferred me to a guy in the back who answered in 3 rings, who then spent 20 minutes on the phone with me talking about what I was thinking about getting. Based on what I learned from him, I decided not to buy. Have to say, ARB really impressed me.

So, here’s what I’m looking at:

For the front end, the ARB Front Summit Bar, part #3423160K. ADVANTAGES: (1) bulletproof, (2) pre-finished, (3) comes with all the accessories with pricing between $1,500 and $1,700 including shipping, (4) airbag certified (an issue for me here in DC) and, (5) multi-generation product (not new). DISADVANTAGES: (1) Big, heavy, overkill for my application, (2) requires body modification (not bolt-on), (3) requires electrical modification for lighting and, (4) installation in my area is $500 to $1,000 depending on what I want.

For the rear end, the ARB Rear Summit Bar, part #3623040. ADVANTAGES: (1) bulletproof, (2) pre-finished, (3) comes with all the accessories with pricing between $1,200 and $1,400 including shipping and, (4) uses factory installed hitch. DISADVANTAGES: (1) requires body modification (not bolt-on), (2) NOT a multi-generational product, (3) installation cost in my area is unknown because it’s relatively new, but estimated at $500 (max) or less.

For the “rub rails” (sliders, etc), I’m uncertain. ARB has a product, but there are many other choices out there, some which appear to be better. The ARB product does require drilling for mounting, which I could do myself. Like other ARB products, it’s pre-finished and multi-generational.

For the undercarriage “armor,” the ARB Under Vehicle Protection Kit, part #5423010. ADVANTAGES: (1) front-to-back system no other add-ons, (2) self-installed (I can do this one) and, (3) pricing between $700 and $850 including shipping. DISADVANTAGES: (1) Unknown if a multi-generational product and, (2) not much information available concerning “durability” (limited YouTube search returns, etc.).

The ARB Front Summit Bar, part #3423160K, photos from ARB and shamelessly used from another TW Member (sorry!):




The ARB Rear Summit Bar, part #3623040, photos from ARB:




ARB Under Vehicle Protection Kit, part #5423010, photos from ARB:





With the above in mind, here are my questions:

What is your experience with ARB products, how long have you had them, do they hold up?

For the front end, the weight of the bar is 170 LBS. Has anyone who installed one needed to do suspension mods because of this?

In speaking with ARB by phone, one concern I had was part replacement. It appears NOT to be easy or inexpensive. Any experience with this?

I live in DC and shop work in this area isn’t cheap. I could drive further out, but then need to deal with leaving my vehicle and getting back. If you shopped out install work, how comparable are the prices I stated? If you know of a reputable shop in the DC area, could you please tell me?

I’ve looked at a number of manufacturers. All seem to have “options” that increase price. ARB seems to be one price with everything. Most other manufacturers also seem to ship “bare steel,” which I understand. Finishing work in this area adds at least another $200. Any manufacturers that I’m missing here?

Any other thoughts about ARB and/or other recommendations?

Replies appreciated and respected.

THANKS

 

Not quite familiar with the 3gens but my ARB front has held up pretty good. Been through trees, rocks, concrete and a nissan maxima with no real issues. The powder coat chips off as usual and I have heard of other people having surface rust inside the bumper.
As far as mounting on stock suspension you will likely need to upgrade the springs (#700) although a coil spacer might be a solution, again not sure on the 3rd gens.

As far as armor goes, ARB is expensive and IMHO worth it. Theyve been doing the whole offroad thing for years and will continue to sell. However, I have seen some really well fabricated stuff from vendors on this site that have gone the extra mile to achieve a product that looks like it should have come stock.
Pelfreybilt has unbelievable customer service and amazing products.
But again if youre set on ARB, you chose a good brand and I wont try to sway your vote.
Good luck with your search.

 

If you ever just have a hankering to work on your own truck, you're more than welcome to use my driveway, tools and my helping hands. I'm up in Silver Spring, MD which isn't too far from DC and a few of my friends living in apartments take me up on that offer on a weekly basis. All the things you mention are very easy to install with a couple of people.

For the undercarriage armor as well as rock sliders, Mobtown Offroad makes great products, and they're fairly local saving you on shipping. Another advantage is their sliders are a true 100% bolt on with no drilling whatsoever, and are arguably the strongest sliders on the market. IMO ARB skid plates are overpriced for what they are, and not as stout as other vendors here.

As far as the bumpers go, I've always been a fan of ARB on the 1st and 2nd gens, but haven't seen it in person yet on a 3rd gen.

Hope this is somewhat helpful

 

All that metal added on the truck, you are going to need upgraded suspension me thinks...... otherwise the truck will bounce around quite a bit. Might as well go OME (which is ARB btw).... ask them what springs to order the kit with.

 

I second @Mobtown Offroad. Their service is excellent. In my opinion, they have the best engineered sliders available. I shopped for sliders for a couple of months before making a choice. If you like I can send you the spreadsheet that I used for research, it just about every fabricator on TW.

 

For your application, I'm not sure I see the need for any of those products..... but it would be sweet.

 

ARB is solid stuff and customer service is as good as anyone.

I've had ARB bumpers before and other brands as well on other trucks but one thing in the back of my mind for my '08 was ARB is a big company and is able to crash test bumpers. As a result they can make a legitimate claim (I don't know the validity) that it won't change the airbag dynamics. This being my first truck with airbags I didn't know how that might factor into accidents and insurance so that factored into my decision.

Also they are pretty good about doing their homework, so they come with good instructions that generally match what's actually on your truck. That's not something that is true of many aftermarket products. And if something doesn't match or is missing they actually answer the phone.

That said, I would consider other options for skid plates and rear bumpers. I'm a fanboy of ARB but I don't wear blinders.

 

I put bumpers and sliders on trucks for decades now, obviously for off road but you know the honest truth is they have done as much protecting in traffic accidents and shopping malls as any rock or tree. There's a quiet sense of satisfaction when you see paint on a slider that you know would have been a door ding otherwise.

 

I like @Mobtown Offroad haha. (Yes, I just tagged myself)

Plus, you won't have shipping cost if you come get it from us, we are only 2 hours tops from you on the other side of the bay. And, we can install all the parts right here in the shop. Labor rate is $85 an hour if you need us to do it. Sliders take 2 hours max, skids we can do in about an hour, rear bumper in about 1.5 hours and front bumpers in about 1.5 hours. Our front bumper for the third gen is not yet complete, but we are close.

 

All those products he listed comes to around $3500.... I can fix a lot of door dings for $3500. I'm not saying don't buy it, I'm just asking if you really need it and would the money be better spent on other things that enhance the experience.

 

I'm all for armoring up, but but in my opinion the ARB solution looks dated. Its also some heavy ass bits of kit. You can go to all aluminum for the type of running your looking to do (front and underside), and put less of a hit on your driving experience.

 

I didn't know that ARB made skid plates

 

All things being equal, yes absolutely gas and beer on a trip are far superior to mall terrain truck building. Just saying that there's benefit to having the extra steel on a daily basis, too.

 

I think I have seen them on a show vehicle. I also think they are rather thin, so I would go with any other company.

 

PELFREYBILT OR MOBTOWN.

 

@Mobtown Offroad for the trussed kick out. It's more efficient usage of the material that's already there

Pelfreybilt



Mobtown

 

This guy and his windows paint

 

Also the way the @Mobtown Offroad sliders wrap the frame. That was the part that really sold me on them. But I went with Plefreybilt for my front bumper, cuz that thing is dead sexy.

 

HAHAHA i just spit coffee on my work computer...make it stop!!!