ARB Front Bumper

[timgco]

What ever hapened to ARB in the US?

Did the models come out for H3's without the added flares?

Did anyone buy one of these bumpers yet in the US?

I had one reserved at OK4X4 but when I found out the model with factory flares and no factory fog lamp option was not reasy yet, I passed.

Anyone have more info?

[timgco]

K, so I called ARB and they have the bumper for use with and without flares in stock. So now I am trying to decide to order the bumper light inserts or not. thoughts?

[6pack]

I think with the inserts. I guess they just replace the factory fogs as far as wiring go? What price are they running?

[navigator32v]

I got quoted $957.00 and $1100 by two shops down the road from ARB here in Renton. I even went to ARB to see if I could look at one and they wouldn't unpackage one I kinda wanted to see one before considering $1000 worth of front end protection.

Oh, and $87 for the driving light kit, or you can buy plastic blockoffs. It used to be $300.00 for the kit, but they are no longer using IPF lights. And you have to hard wire to your driving lights, they are NOT plug and play.

[timgco]

[quote=navigator32v]I got quoted $957.00 and $1100 by two shops down the road from ARB here in Renton. I even went to ARB to see if I could look at one and they wouldn't unpackage one I kinda wanted to see one before considering $1000 worth of front end protection.

I agree about seeing one in person. I don;t think we'll have that opportunity anytime soon...unless we get one soon! however there is a couple of H3's that their employees have. Maybe you can schedule a time with them to check it out. They seemed cool when I talked with them on the phone. Call and ask for Buddy King. He was very helpful in answering my questions and even EMailed me the coomplete installation guide. Take your cammera with and ask to take pics for the forum.

ARB EMailed me the install instructions. DAMN! It's quite a bit more involved than the WARN bumpers were on my past H2's. But it is doable!!

The light kit that you get from them is not plug and play from what I can tell in the install instructions. It shows splicing into your headlamps. I would think you can splice into your factory fog lamp wiring though. That would be way easier than removing the headlamps as well. Than you will also have to splice into your front turn signal lamps. No big deal though...a coupe of scotchlocks and your done.

The remaining install looks OK, you have to modify (cut up) the lateral bracket that is on the 08's, and than pin the bumper once you have it mounted up. This keeps the bumper fron tilting toward or away fron your grille. That will insure it fits perfect!!!

I'm thinking a two or three person job to lift everything into place. I thought the bumper was just over 120lbs...but need to verify + the 8000 Warn is another 74lbs. So a tbar crank will be needed to gain an inch or so back from teh extra weight. Again, I don;t see this being a huge deal. Just measure from the center of your hub the the fender before and after the install. Trun your tbars to the same height and you won;t need a FE alignment than.

Let me know if you want me to call him and ask if we can get more pics. I'm sure it woudl benefit them in sales to get a bunch of pics up on the boards. I hope to ahv emine ordered up this week yet...

[navigator32v]

That's funny you mention Buddy King. He was the biggest jacka$$ I've ever met. He actually made me walk away from ARB shaking my head. He had this attitude -- even the warehouse guy was more helpful and knowledgable. Luckily he showed me around and gave me a better feeling about the place.

[timgco]

Originally Posted by navigator32v

That's funny you mention Buddy King. He was the biggest jacka$$ I've ever met. He actually made me walk away from ARB shaking my head. He had this attitude -- even the warehouse guy was more helpful and knowledgable. Luckily he showed me around and gave me a better feeling about the place.

too funny. Well, I guess you may have to find someone else to talk with than. On a side note: if you want to view the install, PM me your EMail.

Man, that really sucks!!!! Maybe you can find one of their truck up there to check out? DId you get to see the bumper installed?