why NOT an ARB bumper?

Are there any reasons NOT to get an ARB bumper?
Why do people get other brands?
I hear ARB is the best.
Just noticed Coastal Offroad's is cheaper. $600. Originally assumed all steel bumpers are about the same ~$1k price.

I can't tell if the ARB worsens approach angle

 

Because they weigh a ridiculous amount and there are lighter options. ARBs do look good though and are one of the only ones actually crash tested.

 

I love the ARB. The only con is that it looks funny on a 2.5 gen, and it weighs a good bit.

 

I'm not a fan of the way it looks. Its very "boxy" and square which imo doesn't look good on the 05+ trucks since the lines are more rounded than a 1st gen. They're good bumpers but I prefer my 1/1 custom made one that ended up being cheaper than any one bought from a name brand. It's also very heavy and unless you're going full broverland, its unnecessary weight compared to lighter ones.

 

oh man. That review video said they designed it to be as light as possible
but it's the only time I've heard that and they look heavy

 

Check the weight specs. I believe it is well over 100lbs.

 

They can try and make it lighter, but at the end of the day, its a full steel bumper that they need to keep their safety standards with so no cutting corners in the name of weight reduction.

 

Key word is they crash test which most aussie brands do because of the very strict vehicle modification laws there. Still it isn't "US DOT approved" since it didn't go through the crash test standards that are set by DOT. But I mean does that really matter since many other things alter the crash ratings that we don't typically think of.

Approach angle is worse. You can get lighter options. No recovery points you add those to the underside of the truck where they get smashed. Expensive compared to competitors. The coastal is not welded you have to weld it up or pay them to weld it up.

Why do people get other brands; looks, approach angle, strength, lighter weight, aluminum option, recovery points, hoop design is better, can run choice of pods for fogs compared to stuck with ARB brand, can paint or PC whatever color they want (bare steel). Want something american made.

 

Try close to 200(with winch) I'm sure there are better bumpers, but I wanted an ARB just for the Aussie look. And until I get sponsored or some person that wants to pay for my shit………………….that's what I got

 

This ^^^^^ FTMFW OP!

 

I believe you’d want to beef your suspension up for one of those as well. It’s one of those things with a lot of hidden costs beyond just the bumper.

 

This ^^^^ too OP!

 

also no front recovery points

 

This ^^^^ three OP!

 

Why NOT to get one?

They're heavy.
They reduce your approach angle unless you've got a stupid tall lift, and even then they still reduce your approach angle.
They require ARB's foglights unless you want to mess around with trying to modify the plastic fog light surround to work with the stock Tacoma fog lights
The included turn signals are super chintzy and prone to filling with water
The electrical connections are cheap and not water resistant. Plus they include Skotchloks, so you can be guaranteed electrical issues down the road.
The black powdercoat that they use will fade over time
The newer gen bumpers make your truck look like it has a serious case of underbite.
No front recovery points (though in fairness even their early Tacoma bumpers didn't have "recovery" points, they were meant for connecting a hi-lift with a shackle...also, they have a great explanation for why they don't do that and it largely comes down to people are morons)
And, they're heavy.
Oh, and the hardware used for mounting the skid plate is mild steel


So... why TF would you get one?

Well, they're designed for hitting stuff. By "designed", I'm not talking about looks. There are tons of little things that they do that all add up to a bumper that is designed to be a protective barrier between you and whatever you're about to hit. The hoops, for example, pass through the top part of the bumper and tie into the bottom, increasing the strength and the ability for the hoops to absorb energy. The mounting brackets are designed to spread the load down the frame rails, making the bumper more likely to stay put and not flex up or down in an impact. I'm not talking about the little kisses and love taps that you deal with on a trail. They're designed to clobber a kangaroo at 70mph while giving you a chance to drive your truck home. Yeah, I know, I've never seen a kangaroo on any of the trails that I explore. Hell, I rarely see deer on the forest roads. They know better. The deer in my neighborhood on the other hand are morons. What I do see on the forest roads are lots of f'n Subarus driven by people who think that forest roads are their own personal closed off WRC course while they haul ass to get to their Sierra Club group hike. Nothing against them really, but I'd personally rather use up an asshat's crumplezone before mine starts coming into play.

If I were building a rock crawler or trail rig then I would not go ARB. My truck is a family hauler. For me, the ability to get home is more important than being able to see if I can get my wheel onto a rock taller than my children. For what I do, I feel that ARB is the best tool for the job. I've got one on my 1st gen, got one on my 2nd gen.

 

Coastal offroad is a diy weld-it-yourself kit, BTW. Hardly apples to apples comparison with ARB.

 

FYI, you arnt stuck running their fog lights we make a bracket to run aftermarket lights.
i went with arb as it was crash tested and i do like the looks. next choice is a cbi alu bumper

 

Fair question. ARB bumpers weigh a sh!t ton, require you to beef up your suspension, don't improve your approach angle, and stick out really far. Why did I get one? Read here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-non-enthusiasts-tacoma-build.667560/page-3#post-24169871

You can get front recovery points, if you like. ARB P/N 2823010 or similar from another manufacturer.

 

Yup. Gonna order those. I have your fuse panel

 

ARB was at the top of my list....until I saw it in person. It's just so oversized! It's like when you're a kid and you want to put your GI Joe in your cool Lego car. The proportions just don't match up. The 2.5 Gen also requires you to cut up your original bumper if you want it to look closer to right.

They are BEEF though. And I always turn to look when I see one. They're well engineered and purpose-built. But not for me.

I hunted for a Pelfreybilt aluminum bumper for almost 2 years before I was lucky enough to find one a few hours from home.