A bunch of Parts questions: T-Max vs. Warn, ARB deluxe bumper concerns

NickleTech · 09-08-2007, 02:09 PM

Hey guys, figured I could use some advice here.

To date I have yet to upgrade my FJ. I'm considering starting with the ARB Deluxe Front Bumper but am concerned about the weight. Do people typically purchase suspension upgrades when upgrading to the deluxe bumper?

FJ Cruiser 4x4 Accessories by ARB

What do those suckers weigh? 200-300LBs?

Secondly, assuming I do go with that bumper - do you think a 9000LB T-Max winch is worth going with due to the cost savings (assuming I'm on a budget) or should I just man up & go for a WARN Winch? Is there a difinitive quality difference?

Also, I noticed on the ARBUSA site it states this particular bumper is "Air Bag Compatible"... I'm guessing that refers to the fact that it does not inhibit air-bag ejection in the event of an impact?

Finally, I could scratch the bumper upgrade & start by throwning on a pair of rock rails & a light bar up top. Functionally that may provide more value in off-road situations which I find myself enjoying more & more with the FJ... however the winch would be nice.

I figure I've got about $1700 to spend here.

Suggestions?

podex_equus · 09-08-2007, 02:17 PM

I haven't really started my modding yet yet, but I have picked up on a few things from this place. More than likely you will need to include a suspension change with that bumper and winch because of the added weight.

Also, if you don't need it right now, don't get it. Protect your rig for whatever you think you'll encounter. If you need rails, get rails. If you need lights, get lights.

oh lydia · 09-13-2007, 01:16 PM

The ARB bumper with a winch barely brought down the front by about an inch. We installed procomp spacers ($179 4wheel parts) and it brought it back up plus an inch and a half. I believe they call it a leveling kit, easily installed in about 2 hrs. We opted for a Summit winch that is equal to the Warn but mucho less expensive. It has the same features...power in/out, 14 ft remote, roller fairlead, big pulling power. We did have to weld a plate to the mount because the Summit had a smaller footprint where it mounts than the Warn. It was just a rectangular plate about 11" x 8" with 4 holes in it. The ARB may save the front end of your vehicle one day!(considering it replaces a bunch of plastic)

NickleTech · 09-13-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

oh lydia previously said:

The ARB bumper with a winch barely brought down the front by about an inch. We installed procomp spacers ($179 4wheel parts) and it brought it back up plus an inch and a half. I believe they call it a leveling kit, easily installed in about 2 hrs. We opted for a Summit winch that is equal to the Warn but mucho less expensive. It has the same features...power in/out, 14 ft remote, roller fairlead, big pulling power. We did have to weld a plate to the mount because the Summit had a smaller footprint where it mounts than the Warn. It was just a rectangular plate about 11" x 8" with 4 holes in it. The ARB may save the front end of your vehicle one day!(considering it replaces a bunch of plastic)

Thanks Oh Lydia, good stuff.

TiFJ · 09-13-2007, 08:56 PM

Get which ever upgrades you figure will be most handy in the majority of wheeling that you do. What I mean is, while a winch may be very handy in certain situations, if you take recovery gear and always wheel with other vehicles, you'll be covered for the vast majority of situations and a winch may not be crucial. If you do most of your offroading in the evening then lights would certainly come in handy too. Also, you can never have too much protection and a set of skids and sliders are invaluable. My $.02. Good luck!

J762 · 09-14-2007, 05:39 PM

Personally I would work on a Lift, Skids, and Rock Rails first.

I use my rock rails all the time, and without them, would be entering and exiting the FJ Bo Duke style of I didn't have them.

I have the cheesy factory skids (Not the big silver aluminum crap up front though) and I need to replace them with some real ones bad. I already tore off half of it. So, skids are important.

Lift will get you through a lot more areas safely than stock height will.

So far I have not come into any trail that requires a bumper change out. I will be doing so just for the sake of putting a winch on to save my butt in the future, but there are other more important mods first.

But, do what you want. If you really want the look of the different front bumper, than go for it.

FJ913 · 09-23-2007, 04:43 PM

heres my thoughts on the winched that were mentioned

the summit one is a tmaxx winch with summit stickers

summit is cheaper than a tmaxx winch

warn is more expensive then both

so u do the picking

I have used the tmaxx 12500 and it pulls hard and fast

Summit Electric Winches: SUM-930002 - summitracing.com

with the warn being like 800-900
and the tmax being like 600 to 700