ARB Winch Bumper ? Airbag/non-airbag ??

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Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jay R on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 02:07 pm: Edit

Hi All,

I have decided to get a ARB front winch bumper for my 97 Discovery SE. It seems to be the most cost-effective solution for the front end that is also really sturdy. The other bumpers (SG,trek outfitters etc) seem to be really expensive. Does this seem to be a reasonable decision ? I am not planning on adding a winch until a year later.

The next question is about the airbag version. I am told that the non-airbag version offers slightly better departure angle when the winch is installed. I am told that the non-airbag version does *NOT* hinder the deployment of the airbag. Is this true ? Taking this into consideration, I am thinking about getting the non-airbag version of the bumper.

Any sources that might have the bumper on sale ? The lowest cost I could find was $610.95 (4wheelparts.com). Is this a reasonable price ? Any other cheaper sources ? Please note that I don't mind paying a little more for good customer service. Also I would like to place the order "on-call" and pick up the bumper from the ARB warehouse in Seattle saving shipping costs. Anyone done this ?

PS: I am planning on upgrading the suspension with the Rovertym 2" lift after I get the ARB bumper and Rovertym sliders. The reasoning behind this is that the additional weight when I install the lift will eliminate/reduce driveline problems.

Any information/opinion would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Jay
97 Discovery SE
Redmond, WA.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Bill B on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 02:39 pm: Edit

ARB does suffer some approach angle probs vs. the $G, but for the money is certainly not a bad choice. I just got one for my '97. The air-bag version has three downsides - cost, cannot high-lift on it, and most of all it mounts the winch in a vulnerable position underneath the bumper in a seperate tray. Not only is it vulnerable there, but depending on who's winch you want to use can lead to mounting, access, and functionality problems. Cheapest place I found was also 4wheel parts (http://www.4wheelparts.com/) and it was $526.00 for the non-airbag version if ordered on-line. Cannot comment on what it does to air-bag function though. I do know one guy who has the non-airbag version was hit by a Nissan and the bag did deploy - also totaled the Nissan to the firewall with very minor damage to his Disco.

Bill B

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Cal on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 08:27 pm: Edit

Depending on your time frame, John at Rovertym is planning to build some bumpers.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Rudd Thabes on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 08:30 pm: Edit

Jay

Your are correct that the ARB non-airbag winch bumper does not hinder airbag deployment. The problem is that the non-airbag bumper enhances airbag deployment. The non-airbag bumper eliminates the "crush can" shock absorber system that is interposed between the bumper and the frame thereby, in theory, the airbag could be deployed upon lesser frontal impact. If involved in a minor impact, this could be a real nuisance.

Yes, the ARB airbag compatible winch bumper does make it a little awkward to get at the winch but unless you do an awful lot of winching it shouldn't present much of a problem.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Joshua Bova (Jbova) on Friday, March 02, 2001 - 10:09 pm: Edit

I have an airbag compatible bumper, As far as vulnerability of the winch, I have a bit of armor that protects it (Superwinch X9) The only problem with winching is when respooling, it is difficult to see where the cable is going and therefore you are more prone to pinching the cable. Just pay attention. I like the idea of an improved crumple zone. If I hit something hard enough to damage the extra million pounds that thing adds, the least of my worries would be damage to the bumper. Nothing wrong with the non-airbag though, nice bumper.

-josh

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Mike Little on Saturday, March 03, 2001 - 10:04 am: Edit

I have the non airbag version on my 97 SD and am really satisfied.
I paid a bit more, ordered through 4 Wheeling America and picked it up at ARB.
The only problem I encountered was getting it out of the back by myself on the return home.
The non airbag version also allows for fitting a wider assortment of winches with less hastle than the airbag version.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Ian Moe on Saturday, March 03, 2001 - 12:05 pm: Edit

Jay, I went with the air bag bumper but in retrospect I may have gone with a different bumper or at least the non air bag type. Check out the Ramsey in ARB install in the tech section and you can see the hassle I went through to install the winch I chose.

The problem with the ARB air bag bumper, as mentioned above, is that the winch sits out of sight and may add to a poor departure angle. Contrary to what Bill B says above, I have used the highlift jack and the snatch points on the front of the bumper without a problem. The crush cans are strong and not likely to distort under this type of use.

I see you live in Redmond. When the academic quarter is over, I could help with the install as I live in Seattle. Right now I do not have a workshop or garage, so it would have to be at your place or somewhere else. Let me know.

Ian Moe

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Jay R on Saturday, March 03, 2001 - 02:01 pm: Edit

Hi All,

I appreciate the responses on this thread in helping me out with my bumper decision. I think I will go ahead with the ARB non-airbag version.

Ian,

Glad to find another disco owner in the Seattle area. What kind of mods have you done on the disco ? Do you have any suspension lift ? Picture Gallery ? Website ? If you have any suspension lift w/ aggresive & bigger tires, I would like to take a ride in your rig to see how it feels. Maybe we can meet for lunch or something like that. I will buy. I might also join you if you are going on a trail run.

Thanks again.
Jay.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Bill B on Sunday, March 04, 2001 - 11:45 am: Edit

Sorry about the info on not being able to high-lift with the airbag version. I got that from a couple previous posts from others and not through personal experience. Shouldn't have opened my yap.
Glad to know that you can though.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Ian Moe on Sunday, March 04, 2001 - 05:29 pm: Edit

Bill, I am not sure if ARB recommends it, I just said I've used my air bag bumper to jack and snatch. A little jacking is fine--the bumper will 'settle' and need re-adjusiting for sure. I do not know how the bumper would handle trying to suck the entire front-end out of a mud pit. Maybe the crushcans would bend. I'd be more concerned with heavy snatching or pulling off those stock eyes (anchors), even without crushcans.

Ian


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