Thread: TJM o ARB?

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.

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

Originally Posted by dm_td5

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

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.

Originally Posted by Boxer

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.

Originally Posted by 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

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

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

The answer is a BIG yes

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery/...-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.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by 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.