Ron Helmuth

In defense of 4WD Parts and Performance Parts, I have discovered they have a recent 20% off sale (expires end of SEPT07) and they will ship to a local store at no charge. I have not found any other outlet to come anywhere close to their pricing, and I have had favorable experiences with the local shop closest to my work. (East 42nd Avenue near I-70 at Peoria St)

I have narrowed down my front bumper choice for my 99 SR5 Runner to one of two ARB units. With 20% off and free shipping an ARB bumper can be had for right around $600.00.

They come in 68" or 72" widths with both described as fitting the SR5 fender flares, confusing me yet again....Presently I have only "chrome trim" on my fenders, but will be changing it out for SR5 or Bushwhacker flares at some point.

Who out there is running the ARB front bumpers on a 3rd gen? Which width do you prefer and why? The price difference is like 40 bucks or so I believe..

I welcome your thoughts and opinions. Please do not bash these businesses on my thread. I have read some of your concerns with their practices and "overselling" or "undersizing" of parts. I am not here to defend every single shop out there, my attitude is the buyer must be very well educated before trusting a salesman to provide the right parts for my rig and my driving needs. Every question I ask they strive to answer, communication is a two way street, with both sides contributing to the "correct answer" when there may be more than one.

MillerPKA

i'm guessing you're referring to the tacoma (68") or the prado (72")? check the link in my sig i'm running the tacoma bumper. in my opinion the prado bar rarely looks good on a 3rd gen. the taco bar sits flush with the body, but doesn't look the least bit goofy with ltd flares, the prado sits flush with ltd flares, but again, in my opinion looks goofy 90% of the time

Ron Helmuth

thanks Roor the pictures are a big help. I do like the way yours is tucked in tight. Appreciate the feedback.

I see ya over on T4r also and I like your buddy's silver with the URD graphics and his/hers looks to be the 68" Tacoma bumper also (correct?)

thanks for the quick reply

MillerPKA

i think you're talking about blake (urd sticker on the doors?) he's running a tjm 15, he's about to sell it though. those sit extremely close to the body, arb gives about .5-1" of a gap, i chopped and rewelded the mounting brackets after the body lift and wanted it to sit as close as possible...in theory, though, the gap is ideal if you ever go wheeling but i wanted the aesthetic benefit on that one

RunnerUp

go with the taco bar, im with RooR on this one... the prado bar just looks goofy to me

RunnerUp

oh, and i hit stuff with my bumper all the time, rocks, trees, honda civics... its still just as straight as the day i got it

landozion

Thats a great price for an ARB, I was just on thier web page and did not see anything about a 20% off sale. You got a link?

Ron Helmuth

Performance Products is the outfit having the 20% off sale. You order through them and have it delivered to the nearest 4WParts store to you to get free shipping.

d0ubledown

since youve got an sr5...go with the taco bar. prado bars will look goofy on non ltd trucks without the wider flares. if you plan on doing a body lift however...you'll get that goofy body lift gap and will need to get your mounts modded to eliminate it...

Ron Helmuth

Thanks everyone -it does seem you all agree the 68 incher is the one for me and I value your help. No body lift planned dOubledown but appreciate the forward thinking.

Ron Helmuth

landozion-sent you the link to Performance Products via Private message.

defined as 20% off any single item over $100.00-some exceptions of course....

Ron Helmuth

okay I am realizing now there is a wealth of info and pictures just a few threads down from here titled "ARB Prado on my 3rd gen"

the visual of the Prado bumper on the 3rd gen body has convinced me to get the Tacoma version of the ARB bumper .

Also I have just called Yuri of Irbis Off Road and a good estimate of the time required to professionally mount the bumper is 2 hours, as a couple of plates on the front frame need modified or cut.

Ron Helmuth

picked up the Taco bar today and such a deal...

8 left in Denver at the 42nd Avenue store

Ron Helmuth

now installed and looks great-the Tacoma bar fits perfectly.

thanks everyone for your help.

neliconcept

show us

Ron Helmuth

guys I am not photo literate with photo bucket/html/computers. I can send you gifs or jpegs but I can't get them on to this forum(or any other).

Private message me with your email address and I can connect the pics to you in that manner. Irbis Offroad did the install and once again their work was excellent and the pricing even better.

Neliconcept was your rig at the Rising Sun rally in August? You have a banner on the windshield? ToyTec or Citadel? Maybe I am confusing you with someone else....

neliconcept

yeah my truck was at the rising sun thing, i did goto the citadel but i dont have a banner for it. i had the only 3rd gen with a snorkel.

send them to neliconcept@gmail.com. ill get em online for you