By mongo on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 12:31 pm: Edit

HI All,
Just got back from roverfest, great time, great to put faces with the names...To make a long story short, I totaled my ARB winch bumper on a easy trail. Came to small rut, crested it, came down nice and slow and whacked my bumper. Not a big hit, just enouhg to go "HUH, got some paint with that". Get back to camp, pop a beer and and take a look at the bumper and say "WHAT THE F&*K!". bumper rotated up, didn't do anything to the crush cans, dented the roller, done that before, but popped the winch in about 3 inches.
Basically, all the Guru's in attendance have the same opinion, shouldn't do that much damage, short of hitting something BIG AND HARD. Brian from WCRC will be sending in a photo for Klye's window. I'll also try and post some pic's...funny thing (sorry Christian) as we were checking out the damage, another DII pulls and it's the same thing, but a lot more body damage. His REALLY ROTATED.
Anyways, I'm calling ARB in the morning to speak with them about a small hit, causing so much damage, I'll keep the group posted...and i'll with more pic's, either here or on disco2.com

mongo

By C.Frezza on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 05:51 pm: Edit

Hey All,
I'm the OTHER guy who busted an ARB airbag bumper on his DII. Similiar to Mongo, I crested a small hill on the first gate of the trials course and came down lightly only to find that I scraped bottom with my bullbar. Needless to say, I continued through the course until a few judges told me I torqued my bumper. Well, figuring I just slid it a bit on the bolts, I continued on my way until a few other judges said I needed to stop. It was then that I realized I could not see the top rail of my bullbar over my hood. I got out and literally rotated the bumper about a foot under my chassis. The wings dug into both fenders and sheered the aluminum on one and scratched the other and the hood and fenders are off. My drivers side crush can on the bumper failed miserably and quite early for such a small lowspeed collision with hardened mud. No airbag deployed and the hit didn't stop my forward movement. I actually thought I simply scraped bottom slightly and kept going. Oh well, keep looking for updates from both of us. Pics will be posted soon too. Mine is the white gold rig right next to Mongo's red one. We actually highlifted the bumper up as best we could just so it would be safer to drive. (no problem Mongo) we mud ducks have to stick together. Good meeting you and putting a face to the name also.

Christian

By ???? on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 06:37 pm: Edit

'either here or on disco2.com'

is disco2.com still functioning? what in the world happened to Justin & Lita?

By Jon E. Yermo (Jon) on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 08:14 pm: Edit

I'm an ARB bumper user, and I'm really sorry to hear you guys had so much damage from rotation. I'm going to post some comments on this - not so much for the guys who have already suffered significantly, of course.

I know a lot of the same guys who participated in an earlier discussion on ARB (among others) rotation and subsequent damage will be weighing in here so...

Again, I strongly recommend tacking this bumper (in particular) to the frame with some welds to prevent this unhappy situation. I'll forward pictures of the procedure to Ho for his review and (hopefully!) posting.

The poor, front-heavy design of the ARB is WAY TOO MUCH weight for the sloppy six-bolt installation as stock.

You must either drill out the holes to accept a larger bolt with tighter tolerance (no slop during install) or weld the bumper along the trailing edge to prevent rotation.

I'd love to see more dialog on this one again...

Erik

By AZJeepEtr on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 09:19 pm: Edit

I totalled my ARB,and TEH CAR with the ARB. Drilling the holes how still isn't enough. I hit a tree and a ditch, and the bar screwed the car royally, but my girl friend and i walked away. ARB needs to find a new way to safely mount these bars to not flex upwards as far as they do know. But the question is, do i want a series 1 or 2?!?!

By James on Sunday, August 12, 2001 - 10:42 pm: Edit

Are all these mishaps occuring with the "airbag version" of the ARB Bullbar??? The "airbag version" is the one with the lower fairlead, correct?

James

By C.Frezza on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 02:20 am: Edit

James, yes it is. My particular bumper is mounted with the 6 bolts that it came with and was installed by a very reputable individual who also works at my LR center. I think tac welding the leading edge is a good idea and many have done so only after the bumper has rotated on occasions. Unfortunately with my incident, the rotation caused one bolt on the bumper to actual cause the steel to stretch underneath it so a simple crush can replacement will not suffice. Pictures will be available and anyone who wants copies can surely request them from Mongo or myself personally if you can't find them on the web.

Christian

By C.Frezza on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 02:22 am: Edit

Mongo, to add insult to injury. My receiver hitch/shackle and hella clear covers were stolen in the parking lot. I've got an idea who it was too...They'll regret they did it too. I'm definately the vindictive type. I'll nail them next year. I've got them marked so I know who's they are...heh heh heh.

C

By gp (Garrett) on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 03:08 am: Edit

I was there this weekend too, but people stealing shit off other peoples trucks......that is LOW. I am not sure i could wait til next year to get revenge. I heard last year they had problems with people getting stuff stolen from their trucks during the awards thing in the parking lot. For the most part though I would say it was a good group of people. check out www.travelswithrover.com This is a site of a couple that i was camping next to. They had a white D90 with a massive rack on top that Marty made. Very cool folks......unlike the slime that snagged your lights.

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 03:27 am: Edit

That does suck C.Frezza... I'd go after them now.. I'm thinking a good A$$ kicking is in order for the scum sucker.

By Moe on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 05:43 am: Edit

Is the DII airbag bumper vastly different than the DI? On my `96 the airbag bumper has a total of 14 bolts--7 for each side. On each side, 3 attach the crush can to the rail and 4 bolts attach the bumper to the crush can. The rear 3 bolts you can only get so tight before the rail will start to collapse, but the front 4 can really be cranked down tight.

Are these rotational problems initially being caused b/c the front bolts are loose and then the bumper catches on something putting pressure and leverage on the rail bolts?

My ARB has taken hard hits left, right, underneath and in front without problems of rotation. It has 'settled' a bit, but I have just loosened the front bolts readjust and tighten. You could throw the ARB out the window, but if it wasn't installed correctly maybe it doesn't deserve this treatment

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 07:57 am: Edit

>"My receiver hitch/shackle and hella clear covers were stolen in the parking lot."

Man, this kind of shit pisses me off...I advocate severe beating with extreme prejudice.

By Slider on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 02:32 pm: Edit

Christian and everyone who encountered this situation...

You're not going to believe this...

But the top bolts to my new ladder design were unscrewed but the lower ones were too hard to get to...I guess,

Didn't notice until I was back here in CT and actually went up!!!

Guess the design (although some changes will be neccessary) was good enough to steal...or try to!

I was parked next to a guy from Virgina who's Hella's disappeared as well!!

Idiots!!!
YOU CAN AFFORD THE TRUCK...JUST BUY THE STUFF!!

By Moe on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 02:58 pm: Edit

It sounds like the ARB is getting dented on the wrong items. I'd be looking to test the ARB on the one or two fellas that are making an annual killing at roverfest.

By MONGO on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 04:29 pm: Edit

Hey Guys,
i think pic's will tell the story...by the way, I had a shackle stolen from the parking lot too. Mine are also tagged, let's find the stupid, low life, scum sucking, a$$holes and kill them (. I was parked in front of slider.
To answer Moe's question about the bolts being tight, YES, I even replaced everthing with stainless bolts. Early in the week I had to do a off-center, up-hill pull to get my truck out of a ditch. The bumper didn't rotate then. Moe, what's your point about making an annual killign at Roverfest? The TRek Outfitters bumper took some rally nasty knocks and didn't self destruct...
Also, we compared the NEW ARB to a OLD ARB in morning and there's a definite diffence in the materials used in the construction. Anyways, I'm still waiting to here from ARB, i'll let you guys know what happens.
LET'S DRAW AND QUARTER THE F@#K'S WHO STEAL FROM OTHERS...

MONGO

By george Saitanis on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 04:49 pm: Edit

I guess we can set up some bates and wait taking turns from distance and nail the F*$#rs next year.

By MONGO on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 04:51 pm: Edit

I LOVE THAT IDEA, I'LL BRING THE NIGHTVISION AND SNIPER RIFLE...OR MAYBE JUST WAIT FOR THE F@#KERS WITH MY TRUSTY MAG LITE...

MONGO

By C.Frezza on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Well, here's some info from ARB. I spoke to a Dave LaTrolette or something like that. Explained the circumstances about the rotation of the bumpers etc. etc. and his response was that it did what it is supposed to do regardless of how lightly we may have hit it against an object or rock etc. I explained briefly about Mongo's situation and he basically told me that (referring to Mongo) that he wasn't going slow if a rock crushed in his fairlead and moved his winch about 3 inches.
He quoted studies regarding the DII airbag bumpers etc. and said that its up to us how we choose to keep it from moving etc. ie. tac welding, adding more bolts etc. but the cans are doing what they should. The bumper is designed to rotate or crush or both upon impacts. I get the impression that these particular bumpers in question unless welded or beefed up, are NOW more cosmetic than for offroad like the other models and older versions for the DI etc. I did email some pics to him and he said the crush cans can be replaced and that the particular piece of metal that stretched under the unaffected bumper mount can be fixed at a welding shop. MY ADVICE TO ANYONE CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF THE DII AIRBAG ARB...if you willing to live with scratched aluminum fenders and broken plastic on the front end, get one. If not, seek another manufacturer. Guess I'm going to keep the bumper, weld it solid, touch up the scratched fender and leave the torn fender alone and live with it. Mongo, I'll be in touch this week unless you want to call me at home or on my cell. Slider, I'm not surprised. I'm going to set up a camera next year and catch the bastard on tape and shove his head up his ass without even getting his ears wet. Talk to you guys soon. Oh, I did mention in the email to Dave that the discoweb will be informed of this stuff and that many decisions on purchasing etc. are based on knowledge and info. gained and passed on on this site.

Christian

By mongo on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 05:01 pm: Edit

That's interesting, because I think if i was going fast i would have CRUSHED the crush cans. They didn't move...sounds like the roller and winch mount on mine did what the crush cans were supposed to do...CRUSH still waiting for a reply ...thanks for the info C.

mongo

By Moe on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 05:08 pm: Edit

"what's your point about making an annual killign at Roverfest?"

A reference to the people that stole your shackle, and other people's lights, hitch pins, ladder, goldfish etc

By mongo on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 05:12 pm: Edit

hey that's what i though, just making sure we're on the same page

frank
MONGO

By C.Frezza on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 05:50 pm: Edit

HAHA. You said it george. We can really have fun with this one next year. It will be the guy with 4 extra shackles/recievers and a few plastic hella light covers.

Christian

By C.Frezza on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 05:55 pm: Edit

Mongo, if it makes you feel any better..I have a picture of your rig in the parking lot on early saturday morning BEFORE the damage. Sorry.

Christian

By mongo on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 06:06 pm: Edit

Yo Christian, was it Tim or Dave at ARB you talked with? Call my cell and let me know. I'm still waiting to here from Tim...I just finished pulling the bumper and my crush cans aren't damaged...so much for the speed theory. I still think if i was going fast that i would have CRUSHED the crush can before denting the roller and moving the winch mount. more fuel for the fire...(bad Pun)

Frank

By JCabrera on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 06:26 pm: Edit

I had a similar incident with my Disco I Airbag ARB. My ARB rotated forward damaging the right and left fender, so bad that it caused holes (yes, holes) in the fenders.

By jay caragay (Jcaragay) on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 07:23 pm: Edit

I hope Axel will excuse my verbage-

But that stuff in The Grand parking lot is seriously FUCKED UP. Count me in on your sting op next time around. I can't believe that someone would try to do a little shopping with fellow LRO trucks.

I have some techniques that may come in of service next year.

Christian and Mongo- after reading what has happened after Sat night, I am seriously disappointed in ARB. You should toss that bumper out of Kyle's window.

By christian on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 01:06 am: Edit

Mongo, I spoke to Dave. They should seriously take heed to what is said about anything on this site. Could damage sales here on the East Coast. I'll try and give Tim a call today, too.

Christian

By gp (Garrett) on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 02:41 am: Edit

So all the stuff that was stolen happened at the Grand parking lot? I was not sure if you were all talking about the Bear Mt. Lodge lot or the Grand lot. I would not think anyone would have the balls to do it at Bear, since there were always people around. But at the Grand......people were talking about what happened there last year and they just assumed it was non-rover people that saw an opportunity. But it does not sound that way. I will most likely be there next year as well and will be happy to supply any pain i can inflict on someone that pulls this kinda shit. Holding them down and repeated shots to the nuts with a potato gun would work to get the point across i think.

By Mongo on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 02:57 am: Edit

Hey Christain, read the post from Sean called, Attn DiscoII air bag owners, or something like that, it has a e-mail address for a tech at ARBUSA...
GP, yes we were parked at the Grand, I'm going to call the manager and alert him of the incident. Not a bad idea about the potato gun, but I think a sting operation would be fun. I'd like to see the F@#kers faces when their hit in the forehead with a laser site from a 92F. Then we can hold them down, and blast away with the potato gun...
And, as soon as i can post the pics, I can't wait to throw the bumper out kyle's window...

Mongo

By David on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 03:09 am: Edit

Guys, for those who lost things at Roverfest, I would recommend keeping a tab on the Auction sites, among other things. It's a shot in the dark, but that shit happens all the time....

By Joshua Weinstein (Untrakd) on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 03:47 am: Edit

I think you all have to look at my solution to this issue. I actually had Dave, the ARB tech that you guys are talking about modify my ARB to suit. If you look in the tech section you can see it. Instead of dealing with rotation, I simply welded the can in place. I have not had a bit of movement. I have seen airbags deploy on rigid bumpers like mine is now, so I am not concerned about that either. This past weekend, I took out a 4 inch in diameter tree and had the truck resting on the front of the bumper on some rocks.

By mongo on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:05 am: Edit

Hey Joshua. there are 2 problems that are being addressed with this thread:
#1. On my (mongo) bumper the crush can weren't crushed. the front where the roller mount the winch to bumper, pushed in. The bumper needs to be reinforced at this poin to keep the mount from moving. Mine did rotate, but only about a 1/2 inch.
#2. Christian truck was thrashed when the crush cans, crushed and the bumper rotated up into the fenders. Welding the cans would have in this case.
I have bent rollers before, but never dnet a winch mount...more to follow

mongo

By John on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:10 am: Edit

Lets not forget Christians bumper was also installed incorrectly with 2 of the critical mounting bolts left out,causing his severe rotation.But regardless of that, it obvious the crush can version has approach angle problems with the roller fairlead being the weakest point and the first point to take a hit.

By mongo on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:16 am: Edit

Your right John, I forgot about that. Christian I hope you mentioned that to ARB. I'm still waiting for a reply...

Frank

By Christian on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:42 am: Edit

Installed incorrectly? Highly doubtful since LARS installed it. But, I can see if they only supplied 6 bolts than that is what he used. I'm sure they wouldn't leave any out or add them if it wasn't required. I'm going to check out more threads on this and incidentally, I sent the discoweb.com location to dave with some more pics and let him know how important this site is for info. exchange etc. I'll give him another call today.


Christian

By christian on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:45 am: Edit

another question...does welding the actual can prevent it from crushing? Does the weld get placed into the corrugated folds of the can and prevent it from collapsing?

Christian

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 05:44 am: Edit

(C.Frezza)>"Well, here's some info from ARB. I spoke to a Dave LaTrolette or something like that. Explained the circumstances about the rotation of the bumpers etc. etc. and his response was that it did what it is supposed to do regardless of how lightly we may have hit it against an object or rock etc."

So is the ARB just a cosmetic add-on that can't touch the ground without not only failing, but also damaging the vehicle? And to prevent rotation, you have to weld it yourself? That sucks big time! Might as well chrome-plate these things!

P.S. I highly doubt that we'll have the same petty-thief problems at the KKCW/Truckhaven event...What happened at RoverFest is total bullshit. The thieves have obviously never seen an angry mob of neoRoverphites in action

P.P.S. I'll bet the thieving scumbags drove stock wranglers...

By Moe on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 06:07 am: Edit

Josh, does have a good solution to this problem. He had a plate welded down on top of the cans to which he attached his winch. It is very solid but now the bumper is really a non air bag bumper, if that matters.

Wake up Josh, you were not mowing down 4" trees unless they were dead, rotten, and ready to fall

By mongo on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 06:29 am: Edit

please read the new post I started...christian,call my cell when u get a chance...hopefully pics will posted soon

frank

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 06:37 am: Edit

> I sent the discoweb.com location to dave with some more pics and let him know how >important this site is for info. exchange etc. I'll give him another call today.

>Christian


uhhh,,,, i think you are thinking of

discoweb.ORG

hehehe... ARB people will love the site you sent them.

-rd

By Matt on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 06:45 am: Edit

Do any of these problems exist with the non-airbag ARB? Cause I'm thinking about getting one. Thanks.

By christian on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 07:40 am: Edit

Whoops. Your right. Figures.
Thanks

Christian

By Mike J. (Mudd) on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 07:59 am: Edit

Go with RT Matt

By christian on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 03:47 pm: Edit

Well, here it goes. I called ARB again with the intent of contacting someone else other than Dave LaTrouette, got him again because nobody else was available. I don't know his position but he is neither technical or sales.
Anyway, I discussed in great detail about the situation at RoverFest regarding my vehicle and Mongo's vehicle. In a nutshell and he did speak candid but honestly and truthful that there have been past and recent sessions of discussions regarding bumpers on LR's and Jeep. Recently, a jeep enthusiast started a thread regarding bumpers etc. that ARB manufactured. I guess different things ensued and ARB has basically stepped back from discussion groups where people feel they are empowered to influence others that may of may not choose an ARB bumper based on their research and reading. So, with this in mind. They make the bumpers and have tested them extensively. In my case, the bumper did what it was supposed to do and the crush cans did their job. Unfortunately, testing was designed with a direct frontal impact so I have to live with the results of my impact. With regards to Mongo's vehicle, some have emailed and called ARB and stated (supposedly) that the individuals that damaged their bumpers at the RoverFest were intent on slamming throught the courses with reckless abandon. Thanks, for anyone who is not with us on this. I did not slam through it and will not because that is not the way I drive and my damage was caused on a trials course. Dave did receive my pictures and agreed the hill I hit was small. We did agree that although it may not be a design flaw, the DII Airbag bumper is designed with aethetics and safety first vs. functionality offroad. We can purchase them and alter them but tests concluded were based on impacts head on with kangaroo's (actually not actual kangaroos so Dave says) at 70kg or so at whatever km per hour collision etc. The crush cans on my vehicle should be replaced and he stated he will give me a great deal on the one I need to replace on mine. Any reputable welding shop can fix anything else and he will give me the number of bolts needed to properly secure the bumper although more bolts won't necessarily keep the bumper and its cans from doing what they are designed to do. OKAY. I tried with no result on my sort but we were both enlightened in some way. They do not plan on taking part in online bulletin board discussions as we have here although I did mention that even empowerement may not be our intention, our opinions on this particular site DO, however, hold alot of salt in the LR and Disco world. Good Luck with all endeavors. By the way....does anyone out there have any front fenders to sell me R or L so I can do my own cosmetic work on it? White gold would even be better for a DII 99' or newer. Not worth repairing by a body shop at this point, if the bumper may rotate again. Mongo, keep in touch if you get any other type of responses. Slider, let's keep in touch and good luck to you on your ladder. For those who even THINK of touching my vehicle next year...watch out!. I'm one vindictive italian with a mean streak when people F**K with me. Haha. You know who you are and we're ALL looking for some pummeling in the parking lot next year. Bye all for now.

Christian

By Mike B. on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:48 pm: Edit

Not to speak for other Disco owners, but I've ready everyone's posts carefully. I'm still not convinced that the problems that you are experiencing with ARB are due to the severity of the impacts. There are simply too many incidents.

JCabrera has a 96 diso with an Air Bag ARB bumper. He experienced the same problems that Mongo and Christian did when he shipped his Disco out west in the back of a semi-truck. No way that there was any sort of impact like ARB is stating while riding in the back of the truck.

I really like ARB. They make fantastic products. I really hope the come square with us on this one. I don't anybody is looking to sue anybody here (yet), but I think that we deserve some sort of solution.

I'm no expert, but I think what is really needed is an ARB (or after market) replacement/upgrade of some sort for the crush can system. The mounting system and the crush cars are way too weak for real off-roading.

Thanks,
Mike B.

By mongo on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:52 pm: Edit

Hey Guys, I'm still waiting for a response but I agree with C. These are not for the hard-core off roader...or for the guys who like to take thier truck out on weekends see what it can really do...I learned that a mass produced product isn't going to stand up to the rigors of what i want to do with my rig...Hey C. I'll let u know what happens with me ...

still want to find the a$$hole who stole our stuff

Mongo

By mongo on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 05:22 pm: Edit

here's pic or 2\bumper

By mongo on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 05:24 pm: Edit

second attemp {d:\pics\canon111\1137.jpg}

By Moe on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 08:42 pm: Edit

Mongo , try using the \"image" before the brackets--without quote marks, of course. Otherwise go to formatting or the testing area for more help

"the hill I hit was small"
How small was that hill Christian
And how much momentum were you carrying? No bouncing through?

On Saturday night I was with an old heavy Jeep who got on the gas and broke an aluminium rim through a muddy patch with a hidden root and rock underneath. The Disco had already crawled through the patch twice so I new the base was solid. I asked why the heavy gas and he explained he didn't want to get stuck in the mud and then continued to blame the poor quality of aluminium rims and how he needed steel for this hardcore stuff. LOL.

Moral of the story: even the stuff made to knock down the kangaroos can handle grizzly bears if approached in the correct manner.

By christian on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 03:20 am: Edit

Moe, I absolutely agree. I was not moving fast at all. I was barely crawling in the first gate of the trials course. I'll send you a pic of the hump I hit. Bumper did what it was designed to do. Unfortunately, the hit came under vs. head on and that caused the can to crush and twist downward allowing the whole bumper to rotate. The bumper did not crush inward it basically failed on the lower part of the crush can and when I gave it a little bit of gas to get further up the hump the bumper just rolled with the vehicle farther under it.

Christian

By L_Tilly on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 05:31 am: Edit

As I understand it, these problems are with the Air Bag version only of the ARB, correct? I still have a healthy number of other items on my "need" list before a winch bar, but am trying to keep one or two specific options in mind in advance so that I don't screw up w/ other accessories (ie skid plates that won't work w/ certain brand bars, etc). My 96 Disco has air bags but from another LONG post a month or so ago I have decided not to get an air bag specific bar. I just want to make sure the non-air bag ARB doesn't suffer the same easy bruising.

L_Tilly lnctilly@mediaone.net
96 Disco "Beowulf" - NH, USA

By Axel Haakonsen (Axel) on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 05:55 am: Edit

It don't. I have a non-airbag ARB on my 97, and have bumped into things on the trail many times. It's bullet proof.

By mongo on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 07:29 am: Edit

the older versions of the ARB seem to be pretty bullet proof, and built with heavy guage steel...

mongo

By Discosaurus on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 08:47 am: Edit

I came into this late because I disliked ARB bumpers from the begining so the thread didn't interest me.

But.......if you're having problems getting service from ARB America in Seattle, try calling Jim Jackson. He's the national sales manager and very interested in any true complaint. I haven't been reading the thread - You need to figure out if you have a REAL issue before you bother guys like Jim...he won't listen to you if you simply f**ked up and smashed something.

gl

keith
discosaurus

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 09:08 am: Edit

Also , I think the thing to keep in mind is the the entire bumper is AIR BAG COMPATIBLE. Meaning , its not as strong and will absorb more shock then a non air bag model. Abosorbing shock means crushing. Not just the cans but the whole damn thing. They had to do what they had to do to get it certified as such and you wanted just that , AIR BAG COMPATIBLE . With items like that you cant have it both ways....

Kyle

By mongo on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 09:21 am: Edit

Hey Keith and Klye, your both right...
Keith, do you have his e-mail or phone #.
Klye, they basically told me that, hence, it's not for the hard-core off roader.

Still waitng to here more from ARB...

frank

By Discosaurus on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 09:49 am: Edit

try (206) 264 1669

By mongo on Wednesday, August 15, 2001 - 10:05 am: Edit

thanks keith, got that one, i'll try him there...


frank

By Gov on Thursday, August 16, 2001 - 03:29 pm: Edit

wow, sounds like you guys want your bull bars to actually work for a living. Living in Australia as I do, you can probably guess how much choice I had for a bar for my D2. I asked around a bit and all that I spoke to said that ARB was the dogs bollocks, (a good thing I think) and that no matter how many shopping carts you hit them with in the car park, they just wont bend. I got one fitted by ARB's head office in NSW and all looked good, except that the approach angle was about 30 degrees. So in my normal way, thoughts of grinders and hack saws etc saw me pulling it off for a better look. Well, holy snapping dog shit! The first thing I find is that they had had to drill a third hole in the rail for each can. Fair one. But not only had they not put in any kind of effort to tidy up the hole or protect against rust but in one case they had missed and had then drilled a second hole right next to it. Opps was not a word I was using.
Anyhow, that all fixed up, I set to with the designs. I had a big old Warn 12000 lying around so I made up a table type bracket for it out of 1 by 2 square wall. It sits between the rails, attached by the two original rail bolts on either side and then triagulates back to an extra attachment on the first cross bar. The triagulation also makes for a securing point for a skid, but more on that in a minute. The winch it's self sits quite high, kinda half in and half out of the bar, and I needed to cut a fair bit of the front grill away to give it room. The fairlead now sits where the number plate (sorry licence plate to you folk) used to be. I found that this left plenty of room to bring the bar in by two inches and also raise it by an inch, and still leave a two inch gap between the front of the winch mount and the bar. (The crush cans need about an inch and a half of that if ever needed.) This left alot of extra metal underneath. Don't you just love cutting wheels? Basically what I did at this stage is took lots of measurements etc and figured that with the 'step' part of the bar removed (where the fairlead used to be) and a three inch suspension lift (hoping rovertym comes to the party with one soon!) I'd end up with an approach angle of @45 degrees. Much better. Then I looked at the steering links and found that, using the triagulated brace of the winch mount and a 17 inch bit of alloy plate, and a five inch skirt on the bar angled dowm at 28 degrees, pow! one skid.
Anyway, to cut a long story short (opps too late) my ARB bar is now THE BOLLOCKS! I've welded the cans in place (only at the rail ends) and done a fair bit of re-enforcing around the bar, but it now is able to push tree stumps out of the ground just like the last 9 rovers I've owned. (And yes, before anyone asks, you do have to cut through the root systems first)
Well, if anyones interested in doing the same, I have all my drawings, etc write to me aand I'll send you a full point by point and some before and after shots. If no ones interested then I'll just shut up! CYA Gov.

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 05:07 am: Edit

Damn, a man who can think for himself! Very nice.

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 05:08 am: Edit

but still too bad that you had to finish that ARB yourself...you paid for a finished product, didn't you?!

By AZJeepEtr on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 07:40 am: Edit

Let's see some pictures!!

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 07:46 am: Edit

yeah, what he said!

By gov on Friday, August 17, 2001 - 07:34 pm: Edit

nice responces, thanks guys. Am walking out to the shed now, to pull her apart and take photo's etc. Give me a couple of weeks to get the write up finished. By the way, nice to see that Rovers are being used in anger still, I was starting to think we were out of fashion.