What should my next mod be....?

[bovw]

Right now I have a Wilderness Sport half rack. For my current purposes, I like it, but the rear sunroof will not open. I will be testing it next week, a weeks worth of stuff to TX and back. I'll try to get some pics taken and post them up.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'm not overly concerned about approach angles (go ahead and give me some grief here) call me innocent or whatever, but for what I do and will be doing I just do not see it as a factor for me, I know I could be wrong, as often times I am!

I don't think you're wrong, I follow the same thought lines. A lot of people who dislike ARB bumper do so because they are big and take up approach angle. Our club was lucky enough to have an ARB rep come talk to us and hearing some of the things he said clarified it for me. The idea behind the bumper as designed by ARB is to protect important sub-assemblies such that an accident, be that an animal or environmental, has a lower chance of disabling your vehicle. In the Outback (so claims the rep) the majority of people do not die in the accident, but from exposure because with a disabled truck you now have to find a way to travel several hundred miles on foot. So the theory goes that the bull bar is designed to protect things like suspension, steering, radiator so that you stand a decent chance of keeping truck on the road. So when you think about where the wings (a part that is often trimmed for approach) are, these might be protecting a ball joint or tie rod end, for example. The question is obviously one of need. There are very few places in the USA that are quite as remote and unforgiving as the Outback, so it's possible that my decision is paranoia more than a real need as I travel pretty prepared already. But anyway, just throwing it out there.

 

[bovw]

I've been torn with the RTE/ARB choice. I like the beef of the RTE, but prefer the look of ARB. I will probably go with ARB, I don't do much rock crawling, more greenlaning. I suppose the RTE would be overkill for my truck.

 

[Sharkman]

Just the facts:

I have had a NWP on my D2 for 3 years. The welds and overall build quality have not been an issue. The powder coat has come off in several places and it is due to be striped and painted (maybe galvenized). I went with the NWP rack because I could have it custom built to allow use of the sunroofs and still fit in my garage. The rack sees heavy use on a regular basis. From what I hear they are no longer taking orders so a used SD would be a good option if you are not in a hurry.

I have never had any issues with the build quality of my TJM bumper or winch mount.

 

[Andrew Walcker]

I have read and heard a lot of bad press about SG, but have always had positive experiences with Greg and Mary. Perhaps it is because I live 45 minutes away from the shop and have always done business with them face to face.

 

[Desertoutpost]

Just the facts:

I have had a NWP on my D2 for 3 years. The welds and overall build quality have not been an issue. The powder coat has come off in several places and it is due to be striped and painted (maybe galvenized). I went with the NWP rack because I could have it custom built to allow use of the sunroofs and still fit in my garage. The rack sees heavy use on a regular basis. From what I hear they are no longer taking orders so a used SD would be a good option if you are not in a hurry.

I have never had any issues with the build quality of my TJM bumper or winch mount.

Good to know, thanks Steve!

 

[Desertoutpost]

I have read and heard a lot of bad press about SG, but have always had positive experiences with Greg and Mary. Perhaps it is because I live 45 minutes away from the shop and have always done business with them face to face.

Where are they located, I'm in San Diego?

 

[bovw]

I have never had any issues with the build quality of my TJM bumper or winch mount.

Do you have a steel or aluminum TJM. I recently bought a Great Divide Edition bumper for my RRC. Turns out to be aluminum, about 45 pounds. Not sure how much abuse it will take. I know TJM sells aluminum, that would be my main concern there.

 

[Andrew Walcker]

Where are they located, I'm in San Diego?

They are in Murrieta, just north of Temecula. I'd call Mary directly if I were you and do business in person.

 

[Desertoutpost]

They are in Murrieta, just north of Temecula. I'd call Mary directly if I were you and do business in person.

Thanks, I will check them out.

I'm pretty sure I will run the ARB front bumper, I seem to compare everything to them and find I rely on a bizz and how long they have been around. For example, I went with OME instead on RTE coils because I figure they have been doing this alot longer, worked out alot of the typical bizz problems already, that a company does over TIME, has a good reputation over the LONG haul, and you can find their product in varying markets, not just a limited one, so the R&D used for others could be applied to the LR also. Is this making sense to you or only to me? (sorry for the run on sentence.)

I will look to see other items they have and even still look at the front bumper later today.

 

[Michael Slade]

LOL...well if ya got it, flaunt it! :wings:


when we going climbing slacker?

I'm always climbing...'socially' that is. Hehe.

This week is out...next weekend we're camping w/some nieghbors.

Hopefully before summer is over.

I'm going out tomorrow for a couple of days out to the NW side of the lake, but theres not too many places to rapell off of out there.

I am just barely getting around to putting on those sliders (finally painted 'em this week), this summer has been pretty busy actually.

 

[Michael Slade]

I like the beef of the RTE, but prefer the look of ARB.

This is where most people take the wrong approach to purchasing equipment that can potentially save their life.

If you prefer the 'look' of something over the 'functionality' of another, then I would second-guess what it is you're purchasing.

As to the strength of the ARB...

I've had only ARB bumpers on all of my trucks, I've personally seen deer hit at 65+ mph w/no damage to the truck.

It's never seem to get in the way of me getting where I need to go, but I'm not very hard-core. :suning:

I don't think I'd ever run another bumper besides ARB (disclaimer: ARB is a client, so my opinions might be biased).

 

[Desertoutpost]

This is where most people take the wrong approach to purchasing equipment that can potentially save their life.

If you prefer the 'look' of something over the 'functionality' of another, then I would second-guess what it is you're purchasing.

As to the strength of the ARB...

I've had only ARB bumpers on all of my trucks, I've personally seen deer hit at 65+ mph w/no damage to the truck.

It's never seem to get in the way of me getting where I need to go, but I'm not very hard-core. :suning:

I don't think I'd ever run another bumper besides ARB (disclaimer: ARB is a client, so my opinions might be biased).

Client, well hook a brother up! :jumping:


I agree looks should be below functionability and safety (my earlier comment on Hannibal capacity), good points to ponder.

 

[Michael Slade]

My ARB discount is very deep, but I have promised not to compete with local dealers.

If you were near SLC things might be a little different...but I am obligated to stay within ARB's good graces.

 

[Desertoutpost]

My ARB discount is very deep, but I have promised not to compete with local dealers.

If you were near SLC things might be a little different...but I am obligated to stay within ARB's good graces.

Just busting you chops, but thanks!