Thread: D4 long wait time for ARB winch bar

Originally Posted by garrycol

And you need a version of your D3/D4 bars to fit the equivalent Range Rover Sports. Same basic car and the D3 bar will fit the RRS with minimal modification but of course the bar is not certified for the RRS. Something I think ARB should be looking at.

The usual story that there is no demand does not wash - make them and they will come.

Garry

Garry,

It is not just demonstrated demand. Any aftermarket supplier/manufacturer worth his salt, will look at how many vehicles of a type have been sold, and how many owners are likely to be potential purchasers of a product. Then the math is generally, how many will sell, divided by the R&D and manufacturing cost. If the costs cannot be reasonably recovered, the product will not get to first base. However, I would guess there are a lot of products out there that should not have been given a go ahead, but someone got the math wrong.

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

Garry,

It is not just demonstrated demand. Any aftermarket supplier/manufacturer worth his salt, will look at how many vehicles of a type have been sold, and how many owners are likely to be potential purchasers of a product. Then the math is generally, how many will sell, divided by the R&D and manufacturing cost. If the costs cannot be reasonably recovered, the product will not get to first base. However, I would guess there are a lot of products out there that should not have been given a go ahead, but someone got the math wrong.

You are totally correct, however at one stage for about a year the RRS outsold the D3 so at least one stage, equivalent demand would have been there remembering it is not the 4wding set that buy the most bars but the town cruisers wannabes - as well there are only small mods that are required - not a complete new bar. ARB could have done the compliancing for the RRS at the same time as they did for the D3 but chose not to do so.

If there was a bar for the RRS, I'd have one.

Not sure if anybody can answer my question but is the standard front bumper removed completely unharmed when an ARB bar is installed to a D4. I have ordered a winch bar for our 2012 D4 and want to retain the standard bar for future use / resale when the winch bar is installed but have heard (?) that it will be damaged in the installation. I have looked at the installation instructions and it is not clear if any part of the original bumper is used apart from the wheel arch flairs.
Thanks for any informed input.
Mike

Mike,

If you ask them when you order/drop your car off, they will keep it in tact. I had my 2010 done with a winch bar and have the full plastic bumper and the cross brace returned - in one piece.

Gup

Now I have the ARB and with a second battery and General Grabbers, I'd like to know what others are running their tyre pressures at? I'm currently sitting at 35psi.

Originally Posted by garrycol

You are totally correct, however at one stage for about a year the RRS outsold the D3 so at least one stage, equivalent demand would have been there remembering it is not the 4wding set that buy the most bars but the town cruisers wannabes - as well there are only small mods that are required - not a complete new bar. ARB could have done the compliancing for the RRS at the same time as they did for the D3 but chose not to do so.

Probably came back to ' potential users ' The market expectation is undoubtedly that a D4 purchaser is more likely to use his vehicle for more hard core work, and so need that type of accessory. The RRS unfairly ( ask Gordon ) still has the rep as the 'Toorak taxi' and is probably not regarded as a serious 4x4 by aftermarket accessory manufacturers, and a lot of 'other' 4x4 owners. ( even LR owners if recent comments on AULRO are an indication ) There are also a lot of 'other ' 4x4 owner/drivers quite taken aback when they see Gordon's RRS, what he does with it, and where it goes. ( to the point, where i have overheard people even asking , ' what is that thing ? ') Have to wait for a 'boutique ' manufacturer to pick up the case.

No Opposite Lock winch bars until the mid to end of August.