Aftermarket Bumper D1 - ARB/RTE/TJM/SG/Trek/WTF????

[edthediscoman]

Well,
Seems I am in the market for an aftermarket bumper from someone out there and will probably order next week. Price is not the main issue, as all seem to be in the same realm. However there are a few issues. Overall Strength, Approach angle, side protection, jacking/recovery points, issues I had not thought or perhaps.
I have a skid plate, but may replace if it doesn't fit with whichever comes out on top. I also have a light pod on the front, which is a concern, as most of the brush bars will be in the way there....somethings gotta give though.

My thoughts so far:
ARB looks badass, but not sure if I can deal with the approach angle

RTE looks a little thin profile, but seems to have all the functionality i need

Trek: No experience, and have not seen one on a car

SG: Same as Trek

One more thing to consider. I am thinking of doing the change to the late D2 headlights - cause they look cool as hell. But thats down the road a ways, when the disposable income climbs some more.

If anyone has any others to chat about or definitely some front/side pics to share, lets get an all out war on aftermarket bumpers going!!

Thanks
Ed

 

[edthediscoman]

Oh, one more thing, I have recently lifted it 5" from the above pic. 3" RTE HD's and 2" Body lift. If anyone has thoughts/pics/info on the above mentioned aftermarket guys and lifted cars, let me know.
WARONBUMPERS!!
Ed

 

[justinhaaga]

RTE

1) approach angle
2) strength
3) function
4) looks
5) price
6) rte are cool guys
7) good build quality

 

[rtiqulatendisco]

RTE for sure. Do it right the first time.

 

[rmuller]

I did TJM my first time, now I'm on an RTE.. RTE is hands down my favorite.

 

[Gonzo]

I like my ARB all ready rear ended some one (cock bite cut me off no time for me to stop) and not even a scratch, his rear end wasted but the only down side is the approach angle. Get the RTE but I think there is like a 6 week wait on those.

 

[edthediscoman]

Whoa....3 in a row for RTE....where's the rest??? Also, any RTE guys have theirs lifted 2" because of a bodylift?

 

[edthediscoman]

Gonzo, yeah, I love the ARB, I think its the coolest looking. Yours is badass. BTW, gave that skid plate a good testing at Pismo, and its still flat as a board - sweet! Oh, and stop over sometime, lets grab a beverage!!

 

[bigred]

I have and love the ARB, but if I had the chance to do it over would go RTE.

 

[XtremeMarine]

I'm having RTE make mine, and they said a 3 week lead time. They're even customizing the winch basket to fit my Warn 12000. They have everything you are looking for. If you like their lift, go with their bumper. Good luck with your choice. Daniel.

 

[nathansharkey]

I have Safari Gard. front side and rears. Terrible Service. Terrible Product. Terrible Price. I had to pay huge coin to have it shipped up here to Canada and now I am stuck with it all. I wishh that I would have done my homework and bought RTE. I don't even know any one up here to sell it too. Can't justify buying a RTE now so I am stuck with it.

NAthan

 

[Ronnie]

Since you've got that body lift on there, you're better off with the RTE bumper. Otherwise, all the off the shelf bumpers are going to look funny sitting two inches too low. Call Steve at RTE and tell him you want his made for your body lift.

 

[edthediscoman]

Its an RTE body lift kit as well - from Steve and Co. I bought the springs and lift kit a couple of months ago. Wow, this is turning out to be a landslide. The only reason for not going RTE is because it looks a little "thin". Not from a construction standpoint, just asthetics. I am trying to feel other options out there, that might match the RTE in performance, but look meatier. Why does it always come down to more meat?

 

[Gonzo]

I have seen in LR monthly Disco's with a steel bumer kinda looks like a stock bumper but a tad bigger to make room for a winch. Not sure if there LR or after market, thou shipping would be a bitch from the UK.

 

[noee]

I've had the RTE slimline since the days right when Steve took over, in fact, I might just have the first bumper Steve actually made with the Warn 12/15K winch basket, fwiw. All I can say is that when we get our RRC here soon, the first call I'll make will be to Steve for lift and bumpers.

 

[grahamzr]

I have seen in LR monthly Disco's with a steel bumer kinda looks like a stock bumper but a tad bigger to make room for a winch. Not sure if there LR or after market, thou shipping would be a bitch from the UK.

Probably the bearmach one from dap-inc.com not too bad @ $565

 

[nosivad_bor]

Myu vote is RTE i was not a believer until i saw it in person.

I'm sure you can request it slightly thicker to suit your visual taste. I too think its too thin looking, but it would not stop me from buying it.

Also as robbie pointed out whatever bumper you get you will need to have it made so that it fits properly with the 2" body lift. RTE is used to making it like this.

 

[Owen Birch]

Can you use the high jack anywhere on the bumper? Is the RTE as strong as the ARB?

 

[benlittle]

Is the RTE as strong as the ARB?

:smilelol:

Sorry, yes just a little bit.

 

[DiscoDino]

Living in Lebanon I don't have access to heavy parts you guys do in the US or others in the Europe, so I have resolved to doing my own bumpers...

Have done 3 so far, and all three have cost me <600 USD. I took the opportunity of no availablity and built something I liked, I designed and I created.

Having said that, if I were in the US, I'd go with an RTE from all I can hear and see of the product, plus I like RTE and they have treated me extremely well for an over seas customer (something that doesn't come for granted)...in Europe, I'd go with a Devon 4x4 unit...

I'd ask RTE for one, make it as light as possible and to fit an M-8274-50 Warn winch.

I've seen many ARB crumble...they were desined for that, and they are great...just not what I need when I am hanging off them on a winch rope...