ARB Bullbar

[specwarop]

Hey all,

I am keen on getting an ARB bullbar, and have been quoted a price of $1400 with an additional $300 for body colour matchnig, and $150 to fit it. I have a few questions however:

1) Is the body colour matching worth it?
2) Is the bullbar easy enough to fit myself?
3) Will the bullbar fit in the back of a Defender 110 when I pick it up from the shop?
4) Is the ARB bar a good sort for the price, etc - or should I be looking at other brands?

Looking forward to your feedback! :)

[Toxic_Avenger]

1) I've got one in black, personal preference as to the colour. They get beaten up wtih mud / stone chips / etc, so only you can make that call.
I think mine in black looks tuff on the Orkeny grey... but that's just me.

2) unsure about fitting. It's not a technical task, more muscle to get it mounted.

3) Don't have dimensions handy, but ARB could supply the box dimensions no worries (should be on their shipping manifests, if not a stocked item).

4) Can't tell. As far as function / looks, and compatability with a winch, IMO it ticks the boxes.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

1) Not in my opinion, unless your truck is black. ;)

2) Straightforward enough, needs 2 new drill holes in the chassis and 2 drill holes in the mounting hardware (comes with the bar). Easier with 2 people due to weight but I installed mine solo (and I'm a FeatherWeight! ;) ). I am glad I didn't get them to install as the mounts give flexibility on where the bar ends up relative to the grille, probably more than 5cm all up, and I chose to mount it as far forward as possible. Once installed even buying a new mount set does not really let you move it again (due to the location of the new chassis holes). Plus my front recovery points will use the same chassis mounting bolts so I needed to make sure everything lined up. I have a copy of the fitting instructions if you want further details before buying.

3) Yes definitely. Unboxed but still in the cardboard wrap you can get it in to a 110 on an angle diagonally across the cargo area with the rear seat folded down (I didn't bother folding it forwards). From memory with the protective packaging it's nearly 2m.

4) I thought so. TJM is the only other comparable offering. Otherwise the tube bars are also worth looking at if you are in to that sort of thing.

PS: You can use the winch bar without a winch, as the numberplate can be mounted over the winch slot until you save up / work out which winch you want.

[Summiitt]

I think black is a more durable look against scratches and knocks, the box is bloody big, but may go close with the seats down but I would get some measurements first.
As for fitting, I did mine in about 2.5hrs, it's pretty straight forward, but you do need to drill holes in the chassis. You also need to be able to lift the bar in place a couple of times to mark holes and secure it while you bolt it up, best to have a mate give you a hand if possible, or just have some extra weetbix..make sure you get the newer deluxe thick tube design, not the old design, they are a very solid bar and great value for money..I'm hitting about half a dozen kangaroos a week with no signs of movement or stress on the bar or chassis mounts.

[specwarop]

Awesome, sounds like a goer then. Is the $1400 price the cheapest I can get it do you think?
Would love the fitting instructions if possible. Question though regarding mounting it further forward, would this create any issues regarding its loading strength (like if you stand on it like we all do now and again)

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Awesome, sounds like a goer then. Is the $1400 price the cheapest I can get it do you think?
Would love the fitting instructions if possible. Question though regarding mounting it further forward, would this create any issues regarding its loading strength (like if you stand on it like we all do now and again)

All the ARB stores in Sydney I ran quoted me $1350 pickup price for the deluxe bar in black.

No issues regarding strength for the forward mount. There are 2 points of adjustment, one on a slotted bolt slide for the 2 factory bumper bolts and the other packed out by 1 or so cm with shims. When you get to the step shown in the picture on the top of page 4, the bolts run through slots in the mounting bracket so you can pull / push the mount bracket forwards / backwards before tightening.

Presto :) found a set of instructions on the web: http://van-extras.co.uk/pdfs/bullbarpdfs/3932400.pdf

hth

[austastar]

Hi,
I fitted mine by myself with out much in the way of mechanical skills.
I was fortunate enough to have an overhead deck to drop a rope from to lift and hold it into position.
A couple of cheap pulleys for a bit of mechanical advantage will be useful.

cheers

[jasonedu]

Hey all,

1) Is the body colour matching worth it?



I paid the extra to get mine done and I don't regret it at all. I don't notice it looking rough after a few years of use and think it still looks better after a few years then a black one would new.

Mine 130 is red, I would not colour code a bar on a white or silver truck. But I also think if you have white or silver truck you probably don't care about colour anyway :-P

It was a few years ago granted but I don't remember it costing so much to colour code.

[Benz]

Yeah fitting the bar is pretty easy.
It's way easier if you have some help though to get it lined up right.
I used a hydrolic motorcycle stand to hold my bar into place while I lined it all up, worked a charm

[specwarop]

Ordered the ARB bar, picking it up when I get the Defender.
Really hoping it fits in the back, otherwise I will look like a fool....

[cooperrat]

I found the land rover equivalent ARB bar and picked it up with my 90 ,no problems getting it in, but it was a bugger to get it out on my own tho !!!