ARB bumper with stock suspension on Tacoma?

[gallinastrips]

New to this site and have just purchased 2011 Tacoma. Thinking of putting ARB front bumper on the truck and am wondering if anyone has done this without changing suspension at the same time? How was the additional weight on the front end? I am not into heavy off roading, so don't want the lift etc... But live up a rough two mile dirt road that is covered in snow all winter and is very narrow, with lots of poor drivers on it. I want the bumper for protection from other vehicles and tree branches when I am in the woods. Any help?:victory: Oh ya, would not have a winch on it.

 

[scollins]

It will likely sag about 1", maybe 1.5". I talked with an ARB tech today (their US office is the same city that I live in), and he said the 05+ Taco Bull Bar weighs about 160 lbs. :Wow1:

Seems to me that is too high, as I remember my Jeep ZJ ARB bumper wasn't that heavy. But hey, the guy works there, I'd hope he'd have the straight scoop.

I'm looking at the same bar with a Warn M8000 winch. But if his figure is right, that is a walloping 200 lbs on the front (and a significant dent in the payload capacity too.....)

 

[RU55ELL]

I have the ARB and M8000 on mine. I have stock suspension with spacers and didn't notice much sag if any at all.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...I have stock suspension with spacers and didn't notice much sag if any at all.

Would that have anything to do with the spacers eliminating the sag?

I'd guess a 1-1.5" drop with the ARB bar.

 

[keezer37]

I have the ARB (no winch) on mine and put my OE coilovers back on last summer while my ICONs were off for a rebuild. While I did not measure for sag, I did notice I had to take it easy in the truck as the OEs will of course compress much easier and much further with that weight on front. also, the steering control lacked a bit on these fine Ohio country roads.
Further, and this is just an assumption on my part but I do think you place more burden on your ball joints with this extra weight not being taken up by a stronger coilover spring.

P.S.: The OE coilovers had 40k mostly street miles on them.

 

[RU55ELL]

Would that have anything to do with the spacers eliminating the sag?

I'd guess a 1-1.5" drop with the ARB bar.

I had the spacers on before I had the ARB and winch and it looked the same. Maybe the camper top makes up for any rake that the bumper and winch may cause.

 

[alexrex20]

I have the ARB (no winch) on mine and put my OE coilovers back on last summer while my ICONs were off for a rebuild. While I did not measure for sag, I did notice I had to take it easy in the truck as the OEs will of course compress much easier and much further with that weight on front. also, the steering control lacked a bit on these fine Ohio country roads.
Further, and this is just an assumption on my part but I do think you place more burden on your ball joints with this extra weight not being taken up by a stronger coilover spring.

P.S.: The OE coilovers had 40k mostly street miles on them.

a stronger spring will not affect how much weight is on the ball joint.

 

[CodyB]

I had my ARB with a Warn M8000 on the stock suspension of an 09 LBDC for four months before putting on the OME suspension. The weight of the bumper and winch dropped the front of the truck and severely limited the amount of travel. I would not recommend having an ARB with the stock suspension based on my experience.

 

[gallinastrips]

Thanks for all the good advice and experience so far. I have spoke to a few shops that install ARB including ARB, and they all seem to have a different opinon about how it will affect the handling of the truck with stock suspension. They all argree that it will drop the front an inch or two though. Also, considering the Ranchhand grille guard which seems well made, is 86lb, looks are a bit goofy, price is right, and lots of ranchers seem to use them which means something On the other hand 160lb does not seem like a lot of weight, but I guess it is sitting on the very front of the truck past the axle.

 

[RU55ELL]

What is the spring rate difference between TRD and non-TRD?

 

[gallinastrips]

What is the spring rate difference between TRD and non-TRD?

Good Question, I will have to look into this because I do have the TRD edition.
Thanks Russell

 

[Gregster]

Consider getting an Aluminess, they are only 60 lbs (but cost $1050 USD).

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/gr...overland-tacoma-bumper-ends-12-31-2010-a.html

 

[gallinastrips]

Consider getting an Aluminess, they are only 60 lbs (but cost $1050 USD).

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/gr...overland-tacoma-bumper-ends-12-31-2010-a.html

Thanks, these look sweet:safari-rig:

 

[gallinastrips]

Thanks for the link Gregster and sorry ARB, but I just put a deposit down on a Aluminess. Did not want to have to modify the suspenison in order to put a bumper on this truck. Thanks for all the good input:victory: