By joshua on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 05:32 pm: Edit

So im currently running the LR winch tray/brush bar combo on my 97 disco. I like the set up, but Im mildly annoyed without a place for my Hella HID's...

I wanted to keep the stock look..uyntill the bumper started to rust. Now its completely rusted, and looks like crap...

So other than going and getting a new bumper from LR, what are teh pros-cons on an ARB

they look heavy and massive, but many people have them.

are they worth the casharoonie for them?

joshua

By mongo on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 06:35 pm: Edit

Hey Joshua,
Take a look at RTE, or Trekoutfitters, Treks a little pricy, but not as big. John at RTE makes great stuff..just giving you some other options...

Frank

By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 06:37 pm: Edit

Why not just get your old stuff dipped and powder coated.

By Moe (Moe) on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 06:45 pm: Edit

If rust is the only concern, Robert is right get it painted but before hand have a shop weld on some tabs for you Hellas.

The ARBs are heavy and massive.

By joshua on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 04:16 am: Edit

Moe and Oldscout, I just finished powdercoating the winch tray, and purchased a new brush bar ( wich i might add was a PITA to find for the tray). Its all in great shape..The rusted part is the actual disco bumper, and it looks like crap, and it getting worse and worse.

Have you guys seen the OEM winch tray set up? approach angle pretty much blows with it, so i was tthinking just getting rid and trying a whole new set up..

but now, which bar?

joshua

By Tom P. on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 06:09 am: Edit

Joshua wrote:
> approach angle pretty much blows...
> ...but now, which bar?

Well, the ARB sticks way out there too, so *you* might be happier with Rovertym. I have an ARB, and at $500 you can't go wrong with it. But those RoverTym bumpers are 1/4" plate AND offer better approach angle.

Tom Proctor
96 Disco

By Moe (Moe) on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 06:17 am: Edit

I have seen pics of the OEM winch trayn and it does look like it hangs low.

I am in the process of giving my ARB a major chop and restoration, so I cannot recommend the ARB. The Safari Guard bumper has a great approach angle and is known to twist and send people to the poor house. Rovertym has some new bumpers that the jury is still out on.

Best of luck

By Marc on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 07:10 am: Edit

Joshua,

Check the Bearmach catalog on DAP's site. Some interesting alternatives. No idea how good they are tho.

-Marc

By Cartner on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 09:12 am: Edit

What about that Z-Bar Forest that RN sells? Is that any good? I'm in the same search process...

By Ken on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 09:29 am: Edit

I have the SG bumper the more I read this board I see people don't realy like them. I think their major issue is with price. I think the SG bumpers are the best looking out there but are not quite worth the money. I checked out the ARB but I thought they were ugly. One good thing about ARB is you retain your headlight washers with SG you don't. I cracked my OEM bumper on a trail and didn't want to make a claim against my insurance company. I also didn't want to fork out $900 to basicaly put my car back to stock so I added a few hundred and went for the SG. To be honest I think it's the best out there but if I was replacing my bumper just because I don't think I would have spent that much.

It does provide a much better approach angle over stock but as I didnt shop around I don't know if it's better then other brands.

After bumper,skid,lights,bottle mount kit and install I think the total was about $2500.

I don't off road enough to outlay another grand for a winch but if I do thats next. Also SG bumpers require you to trim your grill for a winch and ARB doesn't. All and all the ARB has better features I just thought it was ugly.

By Seann on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 09:58 am: Edit

ARB weighs less than the RTE. Installed my brothers RTE blade bumper for his classic RR, and it makes my ARB feel like a coke can. RTE is beyond solid, cant wait for the RTE for my Disco2

By joshua on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 01:47 am: Edit

So I checked out the other racks, but Im leaning towards ARB.
Last winter I was in the parking garage of the WTC ( go figure) and saw a disco with a winch bumper, but had no brush bar.. It was like the ARB style, but no protection around the headlites...

Was this an ARB as well?

By Marc on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 03:26 am: Edit

Joshua,
That sounds like the Bearmach I was telling you about above. You can add an a-bar or brushguard to it also.