TJM o ARB?

[Urban Panzer]

Guys, you have far more experience in these products than we do over here in the UK.

At some point in the future I will replace the D2 front bumper with either an ARB or TJM winch bumper / bull bar, just wondered who had which one ? experiences ? opinons ? positives / negatives on them both.

Thanks for any comments you post

[dmdigital]

I had the ARB Sahara bar on my 03MY D2. IMO ARB bars tend to be a heavier construction than the TJM. There's pic's somewhere on the forum of my old Disco before and after, I'll see if I can find them.

[ozscott]

I personally like the TJM - it is much tighter into the body and grill and gives you a better approach angle - it also looks great (its has a much bigger middle section and looks grunty - will post some pics). My TJM on the D2 is a winch bar, so buy the tray and your away. Dont know about it being lighter than the ARB, but realistically both the ARB and the TJM will do the job and are not Rovertrim bars in strength, so its down to looks and approach angle (both about the same cost).

Cheers

[long stroke]

I realy like the look of the arb sahara bars.;)

TIM.

[Redback]

TJM because it will give you a better approach angle, they are lighter but still strong enough.

I have an ARB bar, it moves, tilts forward and i'm sick to death of adjusting it:mad:

Baz.

[crash]

I have the ARB bar and find it to be a good product. Contrary to Redback I have never had to adjust mine since it was installed - over 6 years ago. I feel that the TJM bar is just as good as the ARB - as others have stated it comes down to price and your own personal taste. They are easy enough to install by ones self - easier if you have a second person to help.

[trobbo]

My first rangie had an ARB bar on it. It took quite a flogging hitting trees that jump out into the middle of the track and the like. I then got a disco with a TJM bar on it. What a waste that was. It took one very soft tap against a tree (so soft I wasn't even sure if I had hit the tree) and one whole side bent back towards the front of the car. (yes it was mounted properly). I have since gone back to an ARB bar and have no hesitation recommending them.

[dmdigital]

ARB Sahara bar, winch capable.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/886.jpg

[mcrover]

Mines a TJM and im pretty happy with it.

It's ally and has a winch fitted minus cradle and still seems to be holding quite well.

It bulged a bit at first but then seems to be holding fine but im waiting for the day it sheers it's way out.

I would prefer a steel bar but I havnt found the Ally bar to be weak in any way, ive hit trees and animals, rocks etc and the only damage I have done was on a rock on the very underside of the front, under the winch and it required about a 10mm weld to fix.

Ive got a MIG set up for ally at work so it took me 2 secs to do.

I just dont feel like it is as strong as a steel bar but like I said, it hasnt shown that it isnt so far.

I do think it looks better than the ARB bar as well.

I dont like dealing with my local ARB destributor and my TJM guys are great so I know where I would be buying another bar from if I had to.

[Slunnie]

Certainly an conundrum depending on what you want the bar for.

The TJM bar is short for a better approach angle, but from what I've seen in the bush they bend fairly easily in the wings. The ARB bar sits a bit further forward, but the stronger deck on it means you can clobber anything without it bending.

[ariddell]

Does anyone know if the Sahara bar would fit on an earlier D2?

Quite liking the look of it but they only list it for the facelifted 03 models onwards.

[Slunnie]

Sneigy has done this, you may need to do a search on here for the explanation of the how to make it fit. IIRC there needs to be some trim changes like the grill etc.

[goofyr]

I have an ARB Sahara bar, its been good so far...though I haven't hit anything yet :)

When I wad getting it I was surprised to find out (from the ARB sales gys) that the sahara bar is actually heavier than the deluxe bar, apparently it's stronger in the "wing" sections and because its designed to take a winch.

It does sit more forward and lower than the TJM but it works for me...good luck

[Boxer]

I had the ARB Sahara bar on my 03MY D2. IMO ARB bars tend to be a heavier construction than the TJM. There's pic's somewhere on the forum of my old Disco before and after, I'll see if I can find them.

Funnily enough though and this is no plug to them, just an observation, but we recently did an ARB bar fit story on an 80 series and I was blown away by how light it was considering it's steel. Think the factory alloy one was around 20kg and the steel one 50kg.... and a hell of a lot stronger

[gogg0]

I've got an ARB winch bar on my 99 TD5 Disco and have never had an issue with it. It takes Knocks and scrapes in its stride. I'd have no hesitation in fitting another.

[Slunnie]

Funnily enough though and this is no plug to them, just an observation, but we recently did an ARB bar fit story on an 80 series and I was blown away by how light it was considering it's steel. Think the factory alloy one was around 20kg and the steel one 50kg.... and a hell of a lot stronger
What makes them strong is the cross section. They have a deep deck on them and the back of the deck is folded so that it doesn't burst when it takes a hit. The bottom part of the front is also reinforced by design (not material) and again that section is reinforced again by a lower flange. ARB are design smart and engineered well rather than just throwing metal at them. Even the lower areas in the middle under the winch are boxed up to prevent distortion from pulls, pushes and crash landings. In the delux bars there are 2 very stiff uprights that are hollowed out and then the upper tubework hangs between these or between the uprights and the wings. It'll take a big hit to bend them.

[Franz]

Guys, you have far more experience in these products than we do over here in the UK.

At some point in the future I will replace the D2 front bumper with either an ARB or TJM winch bumper / bull bar, just wondered who had which one ? experiences ? opinons ? positives / negatives on them both.

Thanks for any comments you post
I had the ARB on my first D2 and then switched to a TJM on the 2004 D2.

ARB.
* Very strong and bullet proof.
* Gave me the the s**ts because it rotates on it's mounts.
* Protudes forward further than the TJM and makes the car longer (issue if garage space is limited.
* Winch is mounted to the bar and sits further forward than with a TJM bar.
* Access to winch drum is better.

TJM
* sits closer to the front of the vehicle (less overall vehicle length) but more possibility of damage with frontal impact.
* Winch is mounted in a cradle which is bolted to the chassis, sits further back and distrubutes winch loads better.
* Winch cradle prevents water from rushing up to the fan and causing possible radiator damage.
* Winch drum access not as good as with ARB and it's harder to see the cable when re-winding.
* Approach angle marginally better than with ARB.
* Removal of bar easier (& lighter) than with ARB.
* TJM bar also rotates on it's mounts (much to my chagrin) but bigger diametre bolts have solved this problem now.

Overall, I prefer the TJM and would not switch back to the ARB because of shorter vehicle length and better winch mount of the TJM.

Cheers,

Franz
2004 Td5 Classic Town Pack with mods

[chuck]

To add a bit more choice/confusion - TJM make an export bar that is basically the same bar but without the top tubes etc.

This would make it more like the bars they tend to fit in Europe.

You can get them in Australia however you have to wait for the os production run.

Personally I have a TJM bar on my 2000 TD5.

Regards

Chuck

[sniegy]

The answer is a BIG yes ;)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery/66399-early-d2-sahara-bar-possible.html

As said in previous post if u have any queries just ask.
I did the whole fit out myself apart from bolting the bar to the front end as this was ARB's job i was paying for (& their warranty).
It was just 10 bolts anyway:p.

Good luck.



Does anyone know if the Sahara bar would fit on an earlier D2?

Quite liking the look of it but they only list it for the facelifted 03 models onwards.

[ariddell]

Thanks, nice one.

Still need to sell my non-winch ARB first though.. :)