ARB or OL Deluxe Bull Bar for Disco 3

When you look at the ol and arb side by side, the ol bar is a better finish.

Fog lights and blinkers are flush due to rubber surrounds (arb has big gaps around these), the welding below the bar where the panels cover the water bottle is quite rough on the arb bar (but heavier steel than the ol), and the finish below the headlights is better on the ol bar....all of which surprised me based on past arb quality.

Have recently had 3 arb bars side by side to compare and each time notice something different.

Aerial mounts (with cable access) complete the package without having add on brackets.

Arb could/should have done a better job.

Brett....

Have just got prices.

As at 22/07/2014:

ARB Deluxe Winch Bar, in Black $2230 fitted
ARB Deluxe Winch Bar, in colour $2515 fitted

Opposite Lock Winch Bar in colour $2310 fitted including spots

Looks to me like the OL is the winner on price alone, apart from the fact that it seems to have a better fit/finish, be more practical, and look better.

Make sure that the shop fitting the bar has:

a) Fitted the same bar to your model of vehicle previously

b) will wire up the lights and indicators in a neat and professional way

c) will cut the flares appropriately and not leave a huge and unsightly gap

After you have it fitted check that it is level and even left to right. If you are fitting a winch ensure that there is clearance between it and the body work.

I spent a day fixing the wiring (much harder to do after bar is fitted) and aligning the bar. I made them supply new flares since mine were cut leaving 25-30mm clearance. It still isn't perfect, when I fit the new flares I will adjust the alignment a bit more.

Personally I've had both bars, ARB on a D3 and OL on a D4, I would go with whoever you think will fit it best.
It is worth paying extra to have the bar and electrics done properly.

Are you not able to fit a bar yourself? I did mine alone and whilst my ECB is alloy, it seems that the steel bars aren't much heavier.

Those prices are good.
I recently got a ECB alloy bar for our Territory,I opted for free delivery instead of $150 to fit as we live in the country.
Would have HAPPILY paid to get it fitted for $150 after doing it myself!!!!!
The bar was $2000.
Andrew

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Disco4SE

Hi Steve,
I chose the OL bar over the ARB for the following reasons: -

1. The ARB wasnt available at the time.
2. The OL bar was cheaper.
3. The OL bar is powdercoated (more resistant to stone chips
   ). The ARB is primed then painted.
4. The OL bar has 3 aerial mounts. ARB has none.
5. OL bar has LED blinkers & lights.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Craig

---

Craig the ARB bar is Primed and Powder coated, then you can have colour coding on top - just like the other unit.

Other than that its up to the buyer as to whether the other factors come into play.

My pieces on this:

I got offered a better price on supply only for the ARB over the OL bar.

1. The ARB bar 'sounds' more solid - tapping both bars resulting in a higher 'ting' on the OL.
2. The factory lights in the ARB dont flush up, and this helps when youre plowing mud / sand - Ive never had a problem with lights, but my travelling companions have broken fog lights from mud build up getting forced into them and breaking (on the flush type versions)
3. The under bar plates are a better fit on the ARB IMO.
4. All the OL bars at work have regular LED failure - either a few emitters or the entire light fail - A pita.
5. Several OL bars at work seem to fatigue and crack at the base of the bars, corner of the blade or mounts - likely not a problem for people who spend most of their time using it onroad but we are always rewelding them.
6. I upgraded the lights in the ARB to LED bulbs - cheaper and easier to replace.

I do like the finisher under the lights on the OL bar


I dont like antenna mounts that close to the bonnet on the top bar - a small strike will dent the bonnet - so happy to use the corner blade mount with the GME antenna (plus bonus is its a corner marker for offroad clearance :)



At the end of the day - best deal, and your taste really comes into it.


Hopefully no one will need to ever test their gear.

Hey Tombie,

The bars up on Cockatoo Island don't seem to be standing up to the conditions too well. :twisted:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...014/07/311.jpg

Have been quoted $1550 for Opposite Lock in basic black, plus $100 for them to supply spots. Extra $450 for colour coding... They were kind enough to provide the installation instructions, which I have uploaded.
Opposite Lock Discovery 3 and 4 bullbar fitting instructions: https://app.box.com/s/617nviv065gzt0o5p2wh

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by winaje

Have been quoted $1550 for Opposite Lock in basic black, plus $100 for them to supply spots. Extra $450 for colour coding... They were kind enough to provide the installation instructions, which I have uploaded.
Opposite Lock Discovery 3 and 4 bullbar fitting instructions: https://app.box.com/s/617nviv065gzt0o5p2wh

---

When / If you get it colour coded...

I have seen a few done where the coded the lower removable panels as well.
It looks ridiculous... Just Colour code the blade upwards ;)