| Author | Message | ||
     Cary (Colodisco2) New Member Username: Colodisco2 Post Number: 15 Registered: 06-2003 |
I'm about to replace the stock front bumper on my Disco2. Whats some opionins on these three bumpers ARB, TJM or Safari Gard? Which one is most durable, etc? Thanks | ||
| Frank Rafka (Mongosd2) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Mongosd2 Post Number: 390 Registered: 02-2003 |
do a search, lots of info... | ||
| Matthew A. Barnes (Discoveryxd) Senior Member Username: Discoveryxd Post Number: 402 Registered: 08-2003 |
The TJM is a nice bumper from what I've heard (if you like the bull bar style). As far as the others go, niether. If you want a bumper that has great approach angle, then get an RTE slimline. www.rovertym.com Matt | ||
| Bill Mallin (Billmallin) Member Username: Billmallin Post Number: 166 Registered: 09-2003 |
Cary: You'll quickly find bumpers are a lot like tires and girlfriends--everyone has opinions about theirs and other peoples'. I have a SafariGard front and rear and I really like them. The RoverTym product is superb, though I wish the powder coating was of the same quality as whoever SafariGard uses. The TJM is nice too. I'm not a fan of the ARB--sticks out too far. Like Frank said... do a search of the archives... My $.03 | ||
| Rick Neff (Lostinboston) Senior Member Username: Lostinboston Post Number: 297 Registered: 06-2003 |
The ARB is nice, but can act as a plow offroad. I have an $G and like it alot. The RTE is also great. I would get the RTE if I was buying one today. | ||
| Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 198 Registered: 01-2003 |
ARB: just horrid. Don't know why anone would ever put one on their truck. $G: Nice bumper, but customer service sucks. TJM: I like it. Looks good, and I've never heard anything bad about the company. But, I would still recommend the RTE Slimline. It's the best out there. If you wanna know why, search. Then get it. | ||
| not the same Mike (Mikem) Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 87 Registered: 02-2003 |
ARB and TJM are the only airbag compatable bumpers available for the D2. The TJM bumper is currently in vogue on Dweb. Everyone who's anyone hates the ARB. If you're not concerned with the airbag compatability stuff, RTE seems to be the most popular. Do a search and read the endless discussions | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 120 Registered: 12-2003 |
i second what adam said about safari gard customer service, the bumper however is incredible, powder coating is second to none. Cheers Jack | ||
| Shane Lesteberg (Snwbord24) New Member Username: Snwbord24 Post Number: 12 Registered: 01-2004 |
I got the ARB for my '03. I don't have any complaints with it, but it does stick out farther than I thought it would. It's airbag compatible and fits the '03. Plus the price was better than the other options ($749 from BP). I somewhat like that it drops down farther than the other styles. Less approach angle but doesn't visually expose as much which looks better IMHO. Since I'm a rookie here take it as my one cent vice two. | ||
| Jamil Abbasy (Jamooche) Senior Member Username: Jamooche Post Number: 339 Registered: 05-2003 |
Get an RTE slimline with brush bar. | ||
| Chad Meyer (Ccdm3) Member Username: Ccdm3 Post Number: 204 Registered: 07-2002 |
Safari Gard | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Senior Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 346 Registered: 12-2002 |
i've got a safari gard on my D1 and it flexes like crazy. my buddy Jake has the RTE and its rock solid (Fully boxed, no flexing, not as sexy) another buddy has an ARB and he is constantly dragging the bumper on everything (poor approach angle). the TJM is a questionable upgrade from the stock bumper, in my opinion. so: for sexy appeal, i'd go safari gard for rock solid construction, i'd go RTE for a bumper that will take out a Kangaroo at 90mph i'd want the ARB. for the least bite on your wallet go TJM. Do a search, this topic has been talked about repeatedly. marc | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 223 Registered: 02-2003 |
Make Your own. | ||
| Cary (Colodisco2) New Member Username: Colodisco2 Post Number: 16 Registered: 06-2003 |
which has a better approach angle the Safari Gard or the RTE? Am I correct in saying neither of these are airbag compatible? Also the RTE seems real easy to install. Has anyone installed either of these with the skid plates? Thanks again  | ||
| Chad Meyer (Ccdm3) Member Username: Ccdm3 Post Number: 206 Registered: 07-2002 |
They are both a piece of cake to install. It is more difficult to remove your factory bumper than put on the new one. Both require grill trimming to install the winch. You are correct...they are NOT airbag compatible. The approach angles are about the same. The SG finish quality is superior to the RTE, but you will notice the RTE has a larger following on dweb. I've got the SG and couldn't be happier. | ||
| Frank Rafka (Mongosd2) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Mongosd2 Post Number: 392 Registered: 02-2003 |
The difference in a airbag bumper and a non is the cruch cans. It's simple, if you install one with the crush cans, it's going to flex, BY DESIGN. The crush can is basically there to slow the input to the trigger in dash. You make the choice, a solid bumper or one that isn't. As for steering skid plate, I'm not a big fan, I never hit anything... And for install, RTE was a piece of cake...  Frank | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 231 Registered: 02-2003 |
Go with a solid NON-airbag bumper, and take out the air bag fuse when offroad. That way u won�t get a pop in the head when u slam on a rock or while winching. | ||
| Bill Mallin (Billmallin) Member Username: Billmallin Post Number: 172 Registered: 09-2003 |
I've not ever been in a wreck where an airbag went off, though I have been in accidents and seen several accidents involving vehicle equipped with airbags where I wondered, "How in the hell did that not set off the airbag?" That said, I've also seen a few cars where the bags went off, and it didn't appear (to me) like there was enough damage to warrant the airbag going off. I'm thinking... How hard would one's car have to be hit to cause an airbag deployment? If it would be an issue while off-roading, would a switch to turn the airbags off be an idea? I'm not an airbag expert... enlighten me. | ||
| David Statler (Falconx84) New Member Username: Falconx84 Post Number: 6 Registered: 02-2004 |
Has anyone here tried making their own bumpers? I found Marty's pics online, but I was thinking something a little more detailed, like a step by step guide, list of tools, prices for metal, etc. If anyone has pics of a homemade bumper I'd like to see them. The only ones I've seen here are on jeeps-- and ...wow... I wouldn't put that junk on my lawn mower. If I get around to finding my digital camera, I'll see if I can get some pics of it. I know there has to be a better way than what these jeepers did. | ||
| David Statler (Falconx84) New Member Username: Falconx84 Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2004 |
Nadim - the pic on your profile, is that bumper homemade? I like the look, but how durable is it? I remember reading one post (either here or somewhere else, kinda runs together @ 3am) where a guy was rear-ended in his disco. Not a mark on his bumper and the beamer that hit him was totaled. That sounds solid to me -- just wish I knew the brand.... | ||
| Alan Bates (Alanb) Senior Member Username: Alanb Post Number: 454 Registered: 07-2002 |
David, It takes alot of experiece, time, and tools to make a bumper that works and looks good. Anybody can make one, making it presentable is a different story as you have witnessed. Unless you have all the above, I would just buy one. There are plenty of good bumpers out there in all price ranges. | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 1158 Registered: 08-2002 |
David, I think that was Jamil that got rear-ended. He runs one of my rear bumpers. Yes, bumpers can be made, but keep in mind that the bumpers you see typically took 3-4 tries (at least) before they were in their present form. | ||
| Cary (Colodisco2) New Member Username: Colodisco2 Post Number: 17 Registered: 06-2003 |
What would be some of the differences between an A Bar and a Brush bar bumper? Why would one be chosen over the other? | ||
| Adam Ross (Discodriveradam) Member Username: Discodriveradam Post Number: 199 Registered: 01-2003 |
Hey Greg, that's a pretty convincing plug for you! | ||
| Rob Davison (Nosivad_bor) Dweb Lounge Member Username: Nosivad_bor Post Number: 1603 Registered: 02-2003 |
i dont think you can get an ARB thats not Airbag compatable for disco 2 can you? rd | ||
| David Statler (Falconx84) New Member Username: Falconx84 Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2004 |
Greg, with the given anecdote -- how much do your bumpers run for a 98 d1? | ||
| Cary (Colodisco2) New Member Username: Colodisco2 Post Number: 18 Registered: 06-2003 |
Rob, I believe you can. If I'm not mistaken I've seen both air bag and non air bag ARBs for sale. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 877 Registered: 05-2003 |
Bill, I am not an airbag expert either. From what I understand, they are designed to deploy on impacts that are more "centered". It takes a stronger impact to deploy them if crash is at an angle. I never had one deploy, and I pray I don't. However, I have seen the immediate side effects and injury that deployment can afflict on a driver. I've seen such severe swelling and bruising to the upper facial and skull area that it was difficult to determine if there was head injury or air bag bruising. It's not a pretty picture and darn scary. Of course, in a serious crash I'd want the protection of the airbag. However, I don't want to go thru the process of getting beat up by an airbag in a "fender bender". From what I understand, bumpers that are airbag tested and have crush cans are less likely to deploy on a light impact. That's one of the main reasons I chose the TJM bumper. Mind you, I've already pulled the bumper out of whack during recovery by running over a tow rope. After I did that, I was told that I could have the crush can section removed, have it re-welded and it would be back in alignment - but, I'm leaving it as is because I want the crush cans in my bumper. At least for now. Someday I might change my mind. There are definite benefits to having a bumper that does not have crush can issues. When someone comes out with something that is indestructable, I'll probably start saving up for it. I haven't figured out yet if the recent discussions on "Kyle's bumper" are serious or just humorous joking around. If they're serious, I'm extremely interested in whatever he designs. From what I've seen watching the DiscoWeb videos, he's very familiar with the Disco and the impact damage that is possible. In any case, the bumper decision was what got me the most frustrated and confused when I was beginning. I think it's kind of funny that I still have not made up my mind which one of them is the best to have. I think Marc's summary of the bumpers that are available was excellent. | ||
| Nadim Samara (Discodino) Member Username: Discodino Post Number: 233 Registered: 02-2003 |
Making your own bumper is not as hard as you think, however, make sure you know what your doing. My first bumper (some may remember it) was my first welding project and it was crappy on all fronts but weight...it was HEAVY and the recovery points were great. My currrent bumper was designed in Autocad 14 (brother is an architect)) with stress analysis and LOOKS BEING THE LAST THING ON MY MIND (hence the hideous bars in front of the lights), I can attest that It has withstand the pulling power of 2 winches with snatch blocks AND 2 hi-lifts (I like mud a lot), so it has proven itself. Not only that, but I have it mounted with EIGHT bolts to the chassis (most go as far as 6, so a 33% increase is nice) AND the last pair of bolts are BEHIND the front crossmember, therefore not allowing ANY rotation/movement. The material used is 10mm steel, 2" tubes and 1" tubes. Granted that is heavy, but the fact that there is not much bumper kept things in the 40-45 KG deparment. Also, I�ve been welding for 6 years now on almost everything, so I think I�ve gotten to a good level of that. IF you are in ANY doubt about making your own, or a custom bumper, then simply buy an off the shelf one. I am not selling my bumpers because this is my hobbie and not my livelihood, so I am not really defending that idea, all I am saying is that the RTE, S$, and all others were made by mortals as well... | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 1159 Registered: 08-2002 |
David, sorry. DII's only. | ||
| Randy Maynard (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 759 Registered: 08-2002 |
Greg, Any word on availability of the gas tank skid plate? | ||
| Paul Ohryn (Stroker) New Member Username: Stroker Post Number: 3 Registered: 02-2004 |
Keep in mind guy's that the factory and bumpers such as ARB are designed to "crumple" on impact so that your frame doesn't. Therefore choosing a bumper is like anythig else it depends on the application. Hard core trail/bush rig, the beefier the better and a homemade job is fine but if it's mostly on road/highway use then one that crumples can save your frame and maybe your life in an accident. Alot of the cost of some of those bumpers is R&D for crash testing. I have a 96 dodge 2500 4x4 CTD and it spends most of it's time on the road and we went with the ARB for that very reason. It's equipt with a warn monster 15,000lb winch wich I have literally moved buildings with and it has handled it nicely. But for a bush rig, homemade for sure that way you can costomize. |
