By Chris Sears on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 03:49 pm: Edit

Hi all, I just ordered an ARB airbag compatible bull bar for my series II disco SD. My question is just how challenging is the install? What sort of tools will I need. I understand there are instructions but I want to determine how hard this is going to be so as to decide if I want to do it or if I want to have someone else install it. I have decent experience tooling around with cars and the like, but I would love to hear the opinion of someone who has actually installed one. Also, what is the overall opinion of these bumpers. I read on this site someone said they "turn up" really easily when hitting something, is this true? Thanks in advance.

By Steve (Steve2) on Saturday, August 25, 2001 - 04:22 pm: Edit

i put an arb on my old rig a yeip yerokee. me and a buddy - air tools and it took about an hourand a half (the tjm took 3 hours to get all the yeip crap off!) -hand tools most likely and afternoon.

in light of the big hubub at roverfest -in talking to arb direct on the matter apparently there is a thrid vertically mounted bolt that runs up thru the crush cans that must be installed to prevent problems - also somewhere in the recent past an aussie member named gov' went thru quite a detailed post on how to make it from a roo-basher into a tree stump pusher.

you can always call arb if you get in a jamm
206-264-1669
god save the queen!
steve

By Mike B. on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 02:52 am: Edit

You will need at least one friend, some basic hand tools, and some patience. The bumper will be heavy and difficult to align by yourself.

Thanks,
Mike Bauer

By Mongo on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 03:24 am: Edit

Hey Chris,
Like Mike said, basic tools, a strong friend and a floor jack. I installed mine in a afternoon. Also, a hi lift jack is useful for alingment after it's on the truck. I changed all my hardware to stainless, and used larger bolts to mount the crush cans. Are you installing a winch also? If so, email me off group and I'll send you drawings for reinforcing the shear plate at the bottom of the bumper. This is must do if your planning any hardcore off-roading.
MAKE SURE THE ALL THE BOLTS ARE TIGHT! This will help to keep the bumper from rotating. There are no guarentee's from ARB that the bumper won't rotate into the fender in ANY type of impact on the bumper, because of the crush cans.

Frank

By RonL on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 11:05 am: Edit

Chris,

I can make a few suggestions if your interested, I had to install one by myself. I can already tell you to buy a good drill bit for the bolts that are supplied. I used two LR bottle jacks to help with the alignment as well as alot of patience. If you have access to air tools, impact guns are highly suggested as my frame "sleeves" were much larger that the actual frame itself. I used the impacts under low pressure to "manipulate" the brackets. (otherwise known as tightening till they bend to shape). If you are going to put your winch in later, than simply follow the instructions and expect to re-align it from time to time. You see there are more alignment points than fixed points on the arb bumper, a fault in design considering the amount of stress they are supposed to retain. My conclusion, after I install my winch will be two more fixed bolt points on each side, and strategically placed weld points. I elected to keep my factory steering protection bar in place since, prior to the instal I slipped of a rock and landed on it. Anyhow, email me if you need any tips, I am sure many here will assist you as they did me when I receieved mine. This is a great place to hang, I have learned alot from many here.

Ron

By Chris Sears on Sunday, August 26, 2001 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Thanks for all the advice. Unfortunately for me I just moved into and apartment so I don't have the mechanical resources I used to back home. Looks like it might be best to get a shop to install it. So is this bumper worth buying? I am getting a vibe that it could cause more damage to my truck than without it, which is why I am getting it, so as to protect my truck. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

By Ron L on Monday, August 27, 2001 - 06:44 am: Edit

Chris,

I have spent a great deal of time in the automotive aftermarket. So when I get a new part, I am always under the assumption that something is not going to be on the level, no matter what the company states. I particularly deal with hi-po engine components.

With my ARB bumper purchase, I went with what I knew. My brother in law has a 95 D-90 and a 95 Disco I. Both equipped with the ARB bumper. Seeing their performance sold me, because for the price you really cant touch anything out there. My use was to gain a little more approach and clearance. But predominantly for a solid recovery point and a neat appearance and function with a winch. After really using the bumper on a couple of trips in the Central Oregon area I feel there is nothing wrong with the overall design. The installation kit really needs to be reconsidered, but I do understand that if one of us were to get into a major collision and the Airbags would not deploy, ARB would have a larger responsibility in explaining why it did not work as opposed to having to explain why the bumper shifted during a trip.

I do not see a way to design something that would be bullet proof on the trail and still offer maximum protection in a collision. I prefer, because I have a kid, safety on the asphalt first, even if it comes at the expense of a front fascia and two fenders. I think that with the mods that I suggested or even if you were to weld the entire thing it would function appropriately on the trail, with the peace of mind on the road.

Nothing in the aftermarket will ever be perfect, if you keep this in mind you will always enjoy the future mods to your Disco.

Is this your first mod?

Ron