ARB Bull Bars

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

I see a few members here have the ARB bull bars and am curious to hear if everybody is happy with them. I read they are heavy and involves cutting the fenders. Likewise, I see the interest in a lighter bar here.

How do you like them and how much were they when you bought them?

Also, how much did you pay to install them?

Has anybody installed one of these as a DIY? If so, is it easy and did you install the fog light xfer?

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Mon Aug 22, 2005 7:01 am

I haven't installed/bought one yet but it is in the plans. I know alot of people say it is too heavy for the KJ and that, if you install one, you will lose up to an inch of your lift up front. I am willing to make that sacrifice since I want a winch on the front full time and they are the only ones that offer that. I also like the look of it and I trust ARB products as much as I do All J Products (which is saying alot). There have been people that have installed the ARB at home without too much trouble (including the fog lights). The one ARB I saw live, looked so good that it looked like it came from the factory that way. They aren't for everyone though. I was quoted a price of $650 plus $110 for shipping by Predator 4x4 in Colorado Springs before I deployed 6 months ago.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:04 pm

It's easy to install if you can read and follow directions.
The ARB has it's pro's and con's but, has saved my front end many times in the past 2 yrs., and well worth the $653.00 I paid for it. I've banged large trees, run over small trees, bounced off rocks, and been backed into by by a Wrangler when it's E-brake failed on a hill. The Wrangler bent the spare tire rim and wasted his hinges on the tail gate. The ARB suffered a small paint scrape!

uvalax236 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:26 am

$653.00???? Where in the world did you get that price for an ARB?

Fouros · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:40 am

THE only way not to lose ground clearance at the front is by using a MD front spring with bar and no winch OR HD springs with front bar and winch

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:33 am

uvalax236 wrote:

$653.00???? Where in the world did you get that price for an ARB?

4 Wheel Parts 2 yrs. ago.

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

4 Wheel parts wants $740 now

They quoted 4 hrs labour to install :shock:

at $70/hr. I may want to DIY but don't want to hack up the KJ.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:41 pm

Liberator wrote:

4 Wheel parts wants $740 now

They quoted 4 hrs labour to install :shock:

at $70/hr. I may want to DIY but don't want to hack up the KJ.

Cutting the plastic is no biggy, just go slow and easy and bouble ckeck as you go. Doing your own work will make you more familar with your KJ. Just get a freind to assist you and take an afternoon to do it. I took my good old time, 5 hours of it from start to finish!

ARB's directions are very clear and easy to understand.

Use that money you save to get another mod by doing it yourself.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

I've seen them on Ebay for around $650.

DPKJ · **Posted:** Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:08 pm

I got mine at Camp Jeep in '04. It cost $550 out the door, no shipping because I took it with me. ARB was there with OK4wheel drive from Jersey. Couldn't pass it up, it was the only one they had there and didn't want to take it back. The hardware was missing but OK got it to me in three days.

Installed it myself, directions are very good, no fabbing and only minor drilling. Very good kit! The bumper is light considering the size and seems durable. The winch added to it did lower my Jeep 1". With ARB's HD springs it brought it back up +about a 1/2 inch. It sits a little too high in the front, but it's better than low.

Oh yeah, the ARB guy said that was "cost" on the bumper. I am assuming to OK4WD.

Oh yeah, Ive had my Hi-Lift on the CB Antenna mounts since it was installed with no problems.

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2005 5:40 pm

I just ordered mine and it will be tossed on this week. How do you make sure you don't lose ground clearance up front? What are ARBs HD springs? A little help, thanks.

kj in a tight spot

Fouros · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:01 pm

ARB has different spring rates with thier lifts

Light duty, No accessories at the front (ok maybe some lights)

Medium Duty, ARB bull bar no winch

Heavy Duty ARB Bar and winch

see here

http://arb.com.au/Seattle/UVAG_PDF/jeep_kj.pdf

KJ04 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:36 pm

kj in a tight spot wrote:

I just ordered mine and it will be tossed on this week. How do you make sure you don't lose ground clearance up front? What are ARBs HD springs? A little help, thanks.

kj in a tight spot

If you're not putting a winch on it for awhile you can get by with the lift coils you have. In 6 months or so it starts to sag you can do a clevis to make up the difference.

I've got Rusty's standard Heavy duty coils on with a RRO Combo lift. ARB's springs are not going to give the lift you now have.

LimitedLurker · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:18 pm **Posts:** 114

You can always have custom springs made. We have 3-4 places around here that will do it. Probably be able to take the KJ in and have them make a few measurments and tell you what spring rate you have now. Tell them how long you wan them and how stiff.

mOlson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:51 pm

What is the actual weight of the ARB? Anyone now what the final added weight is, meaning the weight of the bumper minus the weight of the removed stock components?

SethX9 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:45 pm

Quote:

I want a winch on the front full time and (ARB is) the only ones that offer that

That's not right, is it?

Edwin · **Posted:** Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:42 pm

I don't have the ARB but it's the one that I'll probably get. :wink:

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:04 am

My ARB is pushing 100 lbs as far as I know. The stock components DO NOT WEIGH ANYTHING! The plastic bumper weighs all but a couple of pounds, if that. Hope this helps.

SethX9 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 25, 2005 9:29 am

But again, it's not correct that ARB are the only ones making a bumber with a full-time winch for the Liberty. Is it?

kj in a tight spot · **Posted:** Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:33 pm

As far as I know there are two bumpers out there for the KJ that are compatible with winches. I have seen custom jobs, but the ones you can buy pre-fabbed are from ARB and Rock Ready. It is your choice. The ARB has the winch hidden from view inside the bumper and the Rock Ready had the winch on the outside of the bumper. It is a personal preference. I like the idea of having the winch protected from other people, the weather, and so on but its up to you. Hope this is helpful.

ARB Bull Bars

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