Audrey is getting a face lift

[DiscoSaffa]

Time to take the plunge, Audrey (my beloved D3) is gonna get a roo bar fitted next Tuesday [bigsmile] ...... after looking at all the info here I have decided on an ARB winch bar in black. I don’t won’t to fit a winch at this stage, but for the sake of $100 it seems to make sense to have the option (and also more desirable at resale). Black because I kinda like the look of black on a grey vehicle and I would also have to wait for colour matched stock, versus having this fitted before Christmas.

ARB in Artarmon have stock and I am looking at $2099 all up. Does that sort of money seem reasonable? Also has anyone dealt with ARB in Artarmon, and if so any comments? :confused:

[CaverD3]

ARB at Artarom did mine for the dealer before delivery.
One of the early ones, they forgot to put in the relays for the indicators which caused problems later on. They fitted them FOC.
They should know what they are by doing now. ;)

[DiscoSaffa]

and while I am at it I figure I may as well get some spots fitted...... any suggestions?:confused:

[Bushwanderer]

ARB Artarmon also fitted mine (including relays :) ).

They did a good job.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[jonesfam]

I had an ARB winch bar & IPF GS900 (I think that's the brand & model) spotlights fitted before the car was delivered. The bar was colour matched & it was done in Townsville so there would be a freight component.
$3600.00 inc GST all fitted. Looks good & both spots are pencil beam & do a good job.
Your price seems very reasonable.
Jonesfam
BTW I didn't haggle, just told them if they scratched it - they died.

[bobzed57]

Speaking of front bar work, has anyone fitted a roo bar and included front parking senors? I've seen rear bars with parking sensors and I figure it'd be nice not to have to bin the front sensors.

Cheers

[CaverD3]

It could be done but would involve cutting holes in the bumper and fitting the sensors to an adjustable bracket behind the holes (as in the kaymar bar).
You could cut the holes to fit the sensor surround and then pack/shave to adjust the direction.

[2_door]

and while I am at it I figure I may as well get some spots fitted...... any suggestions?:confused:

I like the Lightforce spots, the 240's are a good size for the D3 and your budget will decide if you go for the HID's or not. if you can afford them, then go the HID :D

I think ARB only sell IPF these days. I have had IPF in the past and while they are a great light, I like the LF for their lightweight and bullet proof (literally) materials, adjustable beams and output.

my 2c :angel:

[DiscoSaffa]

I had an ARB winch bar & IPF GS900 (I think that's the brand & model) spotlights fitted before the car was delivered. The bar was colour matched & it was done in Townsville so there would be a freight component.
$3600.00 inc GST all fitted. Looks good & both spots are pencil beam & do a good job.
Your price seems very reasonable.
Jonesfam
BTW I didn't haggle, just told them if they scratched it - they died.

All up with the spots it comes to about $2700 including GST, which seems reasonable based on your figures, but then there is no shipping involved and I am also going with the stock black, which must be cheaper than colour matching the bar.

I hadn't thought to ask the question...... but what was your reason for choosing the pencil spots over the spread beam? What is the general consensus? The reason for the bar and spots is I am being relocated by my company and I am going to start doing a lot of back road mileage, a lot of it at night. I want to be able to see the roos and want some protection if I hit em…… so what do you guys suggest by way of spots? Pencil, spread beam or one of each?

[Tote]

I've always run Rallye 2000 lights and have had a spread and a spot and I found that the foreground illumination from the spread beam overpowered the extra distance provided by the spot. My preference is two spots, one aimed slightly higher than the other to give a bit wider beam, but two spreads would be OK too, just not quite the distance.
ARB's take on the front parking sensors is that they won't work with their bullbar.

Regards,
Tote

[DiscoSaffa]

ARB's take on the front parking sensors is that they won't work with their bullbar.

That is what I was told when I called them for the quote. Not an issue in my case, but certainly something to consider if you do have front sensors

[jonesfam]

DiscaSaffa
I went with the pencil beam because both the L/R dealer & the owner/manager of the ARB told me that the HID lights on a Disco3 gave very good spread anyway but that 2 X Pencil beams would give added distance to the standard lights.
The ARB bloke also said (& I agree) that where we live & the type of driving we do, bush roads in mainly flat country, the distance would be more helpful.
Dispite 1 of the spotlights being set slightly low (very slightly) I am very happy with them, we are seeing the cattle, pigs, roo's, horses etc a very long way off. I have so far found that I have had no trouble seeing animals on the side of the road with plenty of time to make any decisions that need making.
Still haven't found a way to see pigs in gullies though.
Jonesfam

[DI5CO]

Go the lightforce, I love them I've has them for about 5 yrs. You can change the covers if you want spread or pencil. I have 1 each. I like how big they are as well but that's a personal opinion.

[DiscoSaffa]

Okay….. slight delay in plans, but Audrey goes in on Friday……. Have decided based on what seems to be the general consensus here that the standard headlights give a good spread and the pencil gives the added distance. So she is going to get two pencils, along with her black winch bar…… have to say I am excited about the first mod to my baby! :D

[DiscoSaffa]

Last minute question....... shoulda thought to ask this first actualy....... are there any warranty issues with fitting the bar and spots? :confused:

[CaverD3]

Any non manufacturer modification is not covered by the OEM warranty. LR can refuse a claim if they think it caused the failure. However they cannot void the warranty due to an aftermarket modification.
This is why the after market manufactureres have insurance.
I do not know of any issues with the bar or lights. ARB bar is approved to work with the airbags.

[DiscoSaffa]

Hi All

Well she is in, I dropped her off this morning. By this afternoon I will be the proud owner of a D3 V6 with ARB front bar and 2 IPF 900 Extreme Sport spots..... would have loved the Lightforce, but they are just too dear for what I need...... will post some pics over the weekend........

Spent a bit of time in ARB's show room...... could have blown the entire family's Christmas budget in there!!

[trobbo]

Woot. We expect some pics tonight then.

:rulez:

[DiscoSaffa]

Woot. We expect some pics tonight then.

:rulez:

If only I could convince Safari Barbie that taking pics of my baby is more important that my fatherly duties of cooking supper for the little uns and getting em to bed..... but never fear, they will appear!

[DiscoSaffa]

Audrey has her new face!!

Picked her up Friday afternoon and she looks great! Black roo bar on a grey D3, nice, if I do say so myself....... spots work a treat too....... they seem to have been set a little high and to the right, but that is easily fixed..... toddler loves the look..... Safari Barbie is going to take some more convincing.......

Didn't get a chance to take any pics over the weekend, what with it being the last weekend before Christmas..... Safari Barbie had other ideas..... :( and then forgot to bring my camera to work....... :mad: the pics will come though......

A question in the mean time..... how much does the ARB bar weigh? I reckon it is all in my mind but the front end just seems heavier....... :confused:

[CaverD3]

Audrey has her new face!!
A question in the mean time..... how much does the ARB bar weigh? I reckon it is all in my mind but the front end just seems heavier....... :confused:

Not much more than the LR bar. Weight is in different places though.

[DiscoSaffa]

Not much more than the LR bar. Weight is in different places though.

I gather the LR bar is the rounded looking one that fits over the bumper?

What do they actually weigh?

[DiscoSaffa]

Audrey's new face...... I am sorry it is isn't taken somewhere in the bush..... but for now the work parking lot will have to do :)

21150

[Bushwanderer]

I gather the LR bar is the rounded looking one that fits over the bumper?

What do they actually weigh?

I think that you'll find that Caver meant the standard front bumper on the D3.

I don't have any weights, but I was amazed at the "stuff" ARB removed in order to fit their bar.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[CaverD3]

:BigThumb:

Yup, the steel bar behind the plastic is fairly weighty on it's own.

[DiscoSaffa]

I don't have any weights, but I was amazed at the "stuff" ARB removed in order to fit their bar.


I wish I could have watched the surgery..... I have kept just the bumper which is fairly light, hence the question......

[Bushwanderer]

Yes, it was educational.

BTW, we make allowances for interlopers. ;)