OK, so now that I'm keeping my '97 Ltd - I need to make some serious changes. One of the things that has to go is all the chrome on the bumpers. I love the look of the TJM-15, but also like the ARB and even the basics of the Warn, although it looks to not fit past '95...

Functionally this may eventually see a winch installed, but realistically it's a cosmetic change that I'm after. Can anyone comment on the best bang-for-buck in the uber-bumper world? I've got these Hella Rally 2000's from my smashed rally car that need a home, so I need to do something.

 

I like the TJM's the best. I use to like the t-15 the best but now the t-17. The t-17 is the cheapest too. Also both are winch capable.

 

you might wanna fix the topic title. this is 3rd gen not 4th gen.

tjm's are 200 dollars cheaper then most arb.. the prado is the cheapeast arb at around 800.

 

title fixed

 

If this is just a cosmetic thing for you it is really your perference. A cople functional diff's are that the ARB have shacke points, TJM do not and that the ARB is one solid unit. TJM is 3 piece deal. Both offer nearly identicle approach angles.

All considered I would still buy another TJM T-15 over a ARB but only on looks and price not because it is a better bumper.

 

If you're only going for looks, just have the chrome painted to match your paint. I did this and I think it looks way better than w/ chrome. Just a thought as this would be much cheaper but not necessarily better.

 

Welcome to Yotatech Rob!

I'd suggest familiarizing yourself w/ the SEARCH feature and parusing through the many threads about bumpers...particularly a few specifically about TJM vs. ARB. I think you'll find some good info there and get a lot more "responses" there than this new thread on a topic already well covered.

Happy reading.

 

quattro,

very well covered topic. do as the wabbit says moved to newb land


bob

 

Have you thought about something more custom?

www.bentup.com has some cool looking ones IMHO

 

really? i paid under $660 for mine however, i didnt pay any shipping. picked up direct...

if youre thinking of adding a winch, from what ive read the tjm's need an additional winch mounting plate where the arb's dont. arbs can only accept warn's non i series or anyother non upright winch (without integrated solenoid). cool thing about my prado bar is that its got a lil 'W' cutout for the solenoid box to fit into. taco bars dont have this.

strength wise, theyre about the same. arb is one piece, tjm is 3. looks? its all subjective. i preferred the arb's stouty look and the no shipping sealed it for me pricewise.

if youre looking into getting an arb, go with the wider 72" prado bar. it accomodates your LTD flares alot better than the 68" taco bar. and AFAIK, the prado bar mounts are different/heftier than the taco ones (same mount as the sahara bar), not needing the reinforcement as some taco bar owners have done. ask watrd about that one.

tjm's? dunno much about them, but there are numerous here that will chime in on those.

...or you can go custom. bentup and armorology have some sic designs, but i think they only fab on trucks brought in.

in the rear, custom is your only option. again, bentup and armorology come to mind, as well as the bruceTS bumper which is well documented in the fab forum.

 

No mounting plate needed, it just bolts right in. If you run with ARB it is a good idea to reinforce the end caps on the frame rails, as some have had problems with the mounting bolts pulling out.