ARB Bumper weight?
- Thread starter saburai
- Start date
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
I don't know the exact weight but from having thrown mine around I'd guess a little under 100 lbs without the winch in it. Let's say 90.
If you are wondering about whether your springs can handle it... you may need to add a short spacer to balance it out.
If you are wondering about whether your springs can handle it... you may need to add a short spacer to balance it out.
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Its about 80lbs without the winch for the Kj.
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
Ok, I'll bite.
Why do you want to know this?
Why do you want to know this?
saburai
Explorer
Many reasons
Well, for one I like to make educated decisions about my vehicle modifications.
I'm concerned - in no order with things like fuel mileage, over hang, polar rotational movement, strength vs. weight, etc, etc.
Ok, I'll bite.
Why do you want to know this?
Well, for one I like to make educated decisions about my vehicle modifications.
I'm concerned - in no order with things like fuel mileage, over hang, polar rotational movement, strength vs. weight, etc, etc.
IXNAYXJ
Adventurer
When I put an ARB on a buddy's XJ, I could very easily move it around. I highly doubt it would affect the lift height on the front.
EDIT: I just talked to a friend who works at the head US office not too far from my house. He was thinking about 120 lbs before a winch.
-----Matt-----
EDIT: I just talked to a friend who works at the head US office not too far from my house. He was thinking about 120 lbs before a winch.
-----Matt-----
Last edited:
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
Fair enough.
The reality is that adding a bunch of weight on the front end will have its affects. The front springs will be compressed a touch, more weight, etc.
No matter which combination of parts you settle on they will all be within say 100 lbs of each other. Likely less. That means it will be a mostly negligible difference between each configuration.
FWIW, I'm the type that resets the odometer every time I fill up and I always squeeze 50-100 kms out of the Jeep after the fuel gauge warning light goes off. Fairly consistent. Adding the ARB was worth a loss of 1-2 mpg (US gal) depending on the type of driving that was done. My normal commute is cruising at ~90 km/h for 30 minutes, ~120 km/h for 10 minutes, urban traffic for 5 minutes. Aerodynamics being what it is, the 120 km/h stint is probably what is taking most of the fuel economy.
Polar moment of rotation and braking? Sure, you notice it a little when you jump between two XJs where one has the bumper and the other does not. But, it is not as marked a change as I notice when I jump back and forth between the S2000 and the Civic Si for example. The XJ has a big lump of a tractor engine in it that weighs more than a Chevy small block (for example). And it is a long engine. The engine still remains the over riding component (and transmission and transfer case) that determines the feel as far as quick direction changes are concerned.
Overhang, that is indeed one place where the ARB suffers. That said, you have to determine what your intended usage of your Jeep will be. My best friend bought my stock black XJ from me this past fall. He's been doing the mental gymnastics of which bumper and winch combo to go with as he builds the rest of the Jeep. I think he is going to end up with the ARB. He's realistic about how the Jeep will be used and he likes the look. Neither of us are rock crawlers so how it works in that environment is secondary (tertiary?).
HTH
saburai
Explorer
Thanks
I'm glad you approve of my motives:elkgrin:
I too have been doing the "mental gymnastics" of which bumper and winch combo to use.
I have been going back and forth with AJ about different bumper set ups. AJ has been very helpful. He seems to really know his work and his CS and comms are great. I would not have a moments hesitation buying his product.
Anyway, I'm pasting a piece of a recent email exchange with some pictures from him, I don't think he'll mind the free plug!
AJ's email:
"As far as the weight goes, a winch bumper generally is in the range of 85 lbs, a non winch bumper lower 60's. If weight is a concern we can always come up with a design or alter a design and take off quite a bit. It does add a little more to the cost usually because of the extra work. But for example, normally a SlikRok weighs in around 85-87 lbs, I had a customer who wanted that design but put on a diet since he was planning on doing some desert racing in the JeepSpeed class. We managed to knock almost 20lbs off the bumper, wasn't easy and required a lot of redesign to the guts. Here's a couple pics of it.
A rear bumper with a tire carrier is around 95-100 lbs total depending on the options you get. Our new swingarm design is going to be absolutely bulletproof featuring tapered roller bearings, double shear design that is simple yet absolutely tough as nails. We're also switching to rectangular steel construction of the main swingarm. Here's a quick pic showing the new swingarm setup...
As far as the position of the tire, that's no problem either. Best thing is to indicate in a pic where you'd like the tire center mount to be and I'll do my best to locate it there. Several years ago I did a split arm tire carrier, I'll see if I can find some pics for you. The biggest change was that the swingarm was located on the face of the bumper instead of on top and the receiver hitch was located much lower. We had to do that in order for the latch base to clear the tailgate when it opened. I thought of doing something similar to this but to "french" the swingarm into the top section of the bumper so the swingarm and bumper face were flush. A LOT of work involved in that so I've never built one yet.
I'm open to any and all ideas you may have. You don't have to be a draftsman or artist, any rough sketch will do. Some of the best stuff I've made has come from customer's ideas more than my own.
AJ"
The ARB is sweet. I was under the impression it was substantially lighter than the others. AJ will build a LW bumper, help design what ever I wish, his work and CS is top notch and his prices are great. I like that:sombrero:
Off topic but here is a link to my old 2002 kinda sorry I sold it...
http://www.m2bmw.com/stucky.htm
I'm glad you approve of my motives:elkgrin:
I too have been doing the "mental gymnastics" of which bumper and winch combo to use.
I have been going back and forth with AJ about different bumper set ups. AJ has been very helpful. He seems to really know his work and his CS and comms are great. I would not have a moments hesitation buying his product.
Anyway, I'm pasting a piece of a recent email exchange with some pictures from him, I don't think he'll mind the free plug!
AJ's email:
"As far as the weight goes, a winch bumper generally is in the range of 85 lbs, a non winch bumper lower 60's. If weight is a concern we can always come up with a design or alter a design and take off quite a bit. It does add a little more to the cost usually because of the extra work. But for example, normally a SlikRok weighs in around 85-87 lbs, I had a customer who wanted that design but put on a diet since he was planning on doing some desert racing in the JeepSpeed class. We managed to knock almost 20lbs off the bumper, wasn't easy and required a lot of redesign to the guts. Here's a couple pics of it.
A rear bumper with a tire carrier is around 95-100 lbs total depending on the options you get. Our new swingarm design is going to be absolutely bulletproof featuring tapered roller bearings, double shear design that is simple yet absolutely tough as nails. We're also switching to rectangular steel construction of the main swingarm. Here's a quick pic showing the new swingarm setup...
As far as the position of the tire, that's no problem either. Best thing is to indicate in a pic where you'd like the tire center mount to be and I'll do my best to locate it there. Several years ago I did a split arm tire carrier, I'll see if I can find some pics for you. The biggest change was that the swingarm was located on the face of the bumper instead of on top and the receiver hitch was located much lower. We had to do that in order for the latch base to clear the tailgate when it opened. I thought of doing something similar to this but to "french" the swingarm into the top section of the bumper so the swingarm and bumper face were flush. A LOT of work involved in that so I've never built one yet.
I'm open to any and all ideas you may have. You don't have to be a draftsman or artist, any rough sketch will do. Some of the best stuff I've made has come from customer's ideas more than my own.
AJ"
The ARB is sweet. I was under the impression it was substantially lighter than the others. AJ will build a LW bumper, help design what ever I wish, his work and CS is top notch and his prices are great. I like that:sombrero:
Off topic but here is a link to my old 2002 kinda sorry I sold it...
http://www.m2bmw.com/stucky.htm
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
Yep, some quality work in that bumper. I made a rear bumper for my old LWB SJ-413 not unlike the bumper shown in those pictures. I had so many hours into it that I promised myself to not do that again.
Nice Bimmer.
Nice Bimmer.