Bull Bar Poll

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:05 am

This might have been done already, But...

Which Bull Bar Did you Pick and why? Please explain.

Those who have had them for a while, any regrets on your choice? Please explain and say which one you wish you had picked, and why.

Thanks

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:21 am

I would definitely go with the Rock Lizard bumper over ARB. As for the T/R bumper, I don't think they make one for the KJ anymore.

XJMA · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:21 am

There's really only one "bull bar," and that's the ARB Bull Bar. Other front bumpers are just front bumpers. It's kinda like kleenex, ya know.

But I have a rock lizard fab front bumper on one of my XJs, it's great.

Can have a license plate on the front, or...

Perfect for if someone wants to let you borrow a multi-mount winch!

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:30 am

I got the ARB due to a couple of things, price for one :lol:

got it used with a bunch of other parts including front fenders, rear 2.5 inch pucks etc for 300 bucks, plus I always liked the look even though some dont. It is a very well made bumper from a very reputable company.
NOW when RLs bumper comes out and I see what it looks like I may change my mind but to me the ARB looks great. People respect it , just pull up behind a slammed Japanese vehicle and see the looks as they try and inch forward so you dont push them through the light! :wink:

T/R bumpers are still available or so there rep says, and they look good as well. Oh and the ARB sticking out great place to lay tools when you are working on the Liberty, sit your beer on it, a plate of food, so its muti purpose also! As far as weight goes any bumper worth anything will be within 20/25 lbs so what is the big deal??????

Tom

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Tue Aug 14, 2007 11:06 pm

I will probably go with an ARB front bumper for several reasons.

1) I really like the looks of the lines of the ARB on the 02-04 KJs (not a big fan of the 05+ ARBs though)
2) I want a winch permanently mounted on the front end
3) The integrated Hi-Lift attaching points are a huge bonus

...and last but not least...

4) My wife told me if I was going to replace the front bumper it would be with an ARB or nothing .... since she has really given me free reign on everything else with the KJ (including an SFA conversion) I have to give in to this restriction.

spencevans · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:32 am

So why was the TJM bumper left off the list? Currently it is the only front bumper built to match the lines of the 05+ libertys. With build quality equal to ARB and a competitive price they have to be in the mix. The TJM bumper will also hold a 10,000lb winch. Oh did I mention they look great in yellow.

I know it's an old pic and it looks funny but I have recently got around to painting all the fenders and super sliders to match. I will have more to follow, it looks amazing now.

tomsjeep · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:21 am

No question. ARB.
My TJ has had one for 5 years, and has impaled a few traffic offenders, only suffering a scratch so far. The offenders include a full-sized Chevy Suburban that turned left in front of me.
My KJ (which hasn't got its first 1000 miles yet) will have one before the first snowfall.
For me, performance is the best yardstick, no complaints about my ARB, just happiness!

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2007 8:16 am

The reason TJM's weren't on the list is simple. I forgot they made a front bumper. I figured i was missing at least one othe company, thats the reason for the "Other" button. How does the winch attach?

Now i remember. I have emailed that company 3 times asking for product info and NOTHING! customer service counts in my book also. Their website is no help. Can't even find any KJ info on it. I likke the way it does match the "Lines" of the 05's + but it leaves the whole grille unprotected, unl;ike the ARB, RL and others I have seen.

Price is not everything.

I think it was the yellow that made me forget the TJM.

Sorry.

Are the TJM's Airbag compliant like the ARB's?

spencevans · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:50 pm

To answer your airbag question, the airbags run on inertia sensors so technically all bumpers are airbag compatible. Yes the TJM was crash tested for crumple zones. Pricing for the TJM is almost identical to the ARB and they can be purchased from any one of the 100 TJM dealers in the country over the phone. Just ask them how much it would cost to have a type T-17 bumper for KJ delivered to your door. All TJM dealers have a different markup so you may save some money by making a dozen calls. I would say $850 shipped would be a good price. Install time is about 4-6 hours and weight is about 70lbs.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:02 pm

I didn't want to get into an air bag discussion, but i guess i started it.

FUNCTIOABILITY of the air bags is NOT the issue. Having your insurance comapny tell you that a claim is not covered because you changed to a NON compliant and tested after market product is the issue. ARB puts that on their products for a reason. I know how air bags work. Mine on my 96 xj DID NOT WORK, and thank god for that:

If it had then i would not be here. That's another story.

I know how air bags work I also know because of that pic above how insurance companies work. having a product be tested and stated that it is "Compliant" makes a world of difference. Just wait till you hit a soccer mom while sliding on some wet pavement and causing some damage to her minivan. Her ins. co. will take a LONG look at your after market bumper.

TRUST ME!

Anyway,

I am currious about how people like them, not the insurance companies. That's for another thread.

Fouros · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2007 6:01 pm

The TJM is airbag compliant , they have to pass Australian design regulations before being sold on the Australian market which includes airbag testing

humptyjumped · **Posted:** Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:21 pm

I have had my ARB for about 6 months and LOVE it. The first thing I noticed
is how precision they are. Everything mounted PERFECTLY.

Putting the winch in this weekend, and I think it is a huge bonus
to be able to tuck it away inside the bumper....

spencevans · **Posted:** Thu Aug 16, 2007 11:40 am

humptyjumped wrote:

I have had my ARB for about 6 months and LOVE it. The first thing I noticed
is how precision they are. Everything mounted PERFECTLY.

Putting the winch in this weekend, and I think it is a huge bonus
to be able to tuck it away inside the bumper....

I think those 02-04 arb's are soooo sexy on the KJ. My favorite is silver on silver.

0311_DoC · **Posted:** Fri Aug 17, 2007 11:29 am

jeepkj02 wrote:

I would definitely go with the Rock Lizard bumper over ARB. As for the T/R bumper, I don't think they make one for the KJ anymore.

they do and they are expensive. they emailed me about month ago.

spencevans · **Posted:** Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:03 pm

0311_DoC wrote:

jeepkj02 wrote:

I would definitely go with the Rock Lizard bumper over ARB. As for the T/R bumper, I don't think they make one for the KJ anymore.

they do and they are expensive. they emailed me about month ago.

Yeah, they quoted me $1400.

JMM · **Posted:** Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:00 am

Back in January when I was shopping for a replacement front bumper, I went with t he ARB mainly because of the fact that I would not have to relocate the washer fluid tank , and it says that it is air bag compatible - I was initially going with the Trail Ready rig. They both get high marks for looks in my book!

If I had it to do all over again based on the choices I had narrowed it down to at the time, which were Trail Ready and ARB (did not know about the Rock Lizard front bumper(s) at the time, thought they were only making the rear bumpers) I would do the same thing - I like the ARB bumper, only wish is that it would be nice if it had and integrated 2" receiver. I have a WARN setup I have used on several vehicles and that I like but cannot use on the ARB unless I mount the winch in the ARB bumper - but then I would not be able to use it for my other truck. I also wish that the recovery points on the bumper were not under the vehicle, it would seem to me that if one was stuck somewhere that the position of these could very well be inaccessible.

However - with that said the prototype Rock Lizard front looks very interesting am thinking about changing over to that once it becomes available.

My choices are change over or buy a winch for the ARB...really which would be less expensive - buying a winch that I can mount in the ARB or getting the RL bumper.

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