ARB Bumpers

About ARB

ARB was started in the 1970’s by a man named Tony Brown.  The inspiration was the terrain on the Top End area of Australia.  The terrain was so extremely harsh that it was like a magnet for 4x4 drivers.  The problem was that with it being such an awesome 4x4 territory, it was awful on the 4x4 equipment.  Bumpers and bull bars were torn up very quickly.  Tony decided to create a better bumper/bull bar that would withstand the worst that Top End could offer and ARB is the result.

Keeping in mind that these are some of the toughest bumpers around and created especially for 4x4s, let’s explore some of the styles and accessories offered.

In the rear bumper category prices can range from $450 on up to over $1000.  You can get rear bumpers for FJ Cruisers, Jeep, Nissan Frontier and even Hummers.  These bumpers are high quality, rugged bumpers that also have a bit of class.  You can get them with or without a hitch on them and some even offer the option of a tire carrier.

Fitting Kits, Options and Accessories

If you are the type to want all the bells and whistles for your ride then ARB can help with options for your bumpers.  They offer a Fog Light Kit and it is made for different styles of ARB bumpers, so check and make sure it will fit yours before purchasing.  There is also a Fog Light Blanking kit that is specifically for those particular Jeep Wrangler JK owners.  Fitting kits are available for Dodge Rams.  There are two styles of those: one for the Ram 1500 and a different one for the Ram 2500-3500.  Then you have the other various accessories which include touch up paint, winch kits, warn installation kits, mud flaps and fog light kits. 

Modular Rear Bumpers, Options and Accessories

If you are in the market for a modular rear bumper, ARB has options for you.  Be it a Jeep Wrangler TJ, a Toyota FJ Cruiser, Toyota Land Cruiser, or some other off road vehicle, ARB has you covered.  They offer wheel carrier holders, rear bumpers, touch up paint, rear left wheel carriers, jerry can holders and even more in this category.  Be sure as always that when you are purchasing an item for your vehicle that the part is specified to fit your vehicle.  ARB bumpers will always give you amazing rugged parts for your vehicle.

ARB Bull Bar

Bull bars can often be seen on vehicles anywhere.  They are very strong metal bars attached to the front of a vehicle with the sole purpose of protecting the front end of the vehicle as well as the passengers in case of impact with an animal or anything really.  They also give the vehicle a distinctive style by completely replacing the front bumper. 

ARB was the original forerunner of bull bars and is still the world’s most highly esteemed bull bar manufacturer.  All of their bars are made from steel and do not have any heat distortion at all.  They are manufactured with a fivefold design ensuring that you get the most protection and strength available. 

Nudge Bars

Nudge bars are available for most 4x4s and the price range is really quite reasonable with most of them falling in the $300-400 area.  They are available with or without lights.  They all have antenna mounts and are air bag compatible.  They come with a millennium gray powder coat and as such will go well with any color vehicle.

Deluxe Bars

Like the nudge bars, these can be found for almost any 4x4.  Unlike the nudge bars, these deluxe bars can really get quite expensive.  These bars have recessed indicators.  They, like the nudge bars, keep air bag compatibility intact while also retaining the factory tow points.  Unlike the nudge bars, these come in a black powder coat. 

Sahara Bars

Sahara bars are arguably the most stylish bars offered by ARB.  They consist of a Chrome hoop fitted to a lower bumper.  The lower bumper is of a gray powder coat.  Like the others mentioned before, this bar is also air bag approved.  It has recessed indicators and also includes mounts for both antennas and lights.  It does also have tow points and optional recessed fog lamps.

Sahara Bars Options

With Sahara bars being the most popular of the ARB bull bar line, there are several options and add ons for you to choose from when you decide to install this bar.  You can get a fog light kit.  This particular option is available for a few of the bars offered by ARB.  Also available are buffer kits and touch up paint.  If you are into winching things, you can get the winch trim packer kit offered by ARB and specifically designed to fit their bull bars.  There are many other options available for you to choose from.

ARB Air Locker

What is an Air Locker?

Some of you already know what this is and if that is so then just skip ahead.  For those of you who are new to 4x4s and off roading and are not used to the terminology yet…read on.  An air locker or air locking differential is a piece of equipment that you can add to your 4x4 to increase traction.  It is basically an air compressor and can generally be activated by way of a switch mounted on your dashboard.

How an air locker works

If you do not have an air locker on your vehicle and one or more of the tires lose traction with the road, the motor is designed to automatically send power through the path of least resistance and therefor, the tire not meeting the road gets all of the power.  This can cause definite driving instability.  An air locker, when switched on, can distribute that power more evenly to all of your tires at the same time thereby giving more stability and allowing you to control your vehicle more easily. 

ARB Air Lockers

ARB, being the innovative company that they are in off roading parts and technology has made an air locker system that is superior in design and function that both factory installed differentials as well as limited slip differentials.  While limited slip differentials have a better design than factory installed differentials, they are quite loud and if the terrain is icy or wet, the steering becomes severely hindered to the point of it being difficult to control the vehicle at all. 

The ARB air locker is consists of a 12 volt compressor as its main part.  It does not affect your vehicles driving performance on the highway and it offers 100% traction when you activate it.  Like other air lockers it is switched on manually by a switch normally located on your dashboard. 

This air locker has a locking system that is pneumatically controlled within the differential.  Its purpose is to ensure that the differential gears do not rotate, keeping the axles working in harmony.  This offers you a better ride and maintaining the quality of your vehicles off roading capabilities. 

Installation

While it is possible to install this equipment yourself if you know what you are doing, it is recommended that you have this particular piece of equipment installed by a certified differential technician to ensure the proper placement and functionality.

ARB USA

ARB USA is an aftermarket off road parts manufacturer.  They have been in business for over 30 years.  With parts inspired by some of the most rugged terrain in the world, Australia’s Top End, you can rest assured that when you purchase ARB parts and accessories, you will be getting the best of the best and that they can handle anything you throw at them.

Although ARB USA manufactures and sells quite a massive selection of parts and accessories for 4x4s, we will only look at a few of them here.

 

Compressors

There are two main categories of compressors made by ARB.  One is for the air locking system and the other is for things like flat tires.  ARB also manufacture air tanks for off road use.  They offer a selection of air compressor accessories that you can purchase along with whatever air compressor you choose.

Fridges

ARB USA has fridges that are really cool! (Sorry for the pun.)  Seriously though, these are not coolers and require no ice.  They are actual fridge/freezers that you plug into your vehicle or in your standard wall outlet.  They are great for keeping your food and drinks fresh and cold when you are out on the road…or off road.  Another interesting thing about these items is that they consume less power than one headlight!

Roof Racks

For those of us who enjoy carrying luggage or gear with us on our off road jaunts, ARB manufactures a line of roof racks.  They are steel and come with different options like floors that are mesh or available wind deflectors.  They are certified to carry the same size payload as the vehicle you are in too!

Snorkels

Ok.  So you are going off roading and get to that point where your vehicle has to go through some pretty high water too.  Snorkels bring clean, fresh air into the engine from a higher point than the standard air intake system.  This keeps your engine from costly damage…they look pretty cool too

Touring and Camping Gear 

Those of you who haven’t seen the rooftop tent offered by ARB should really check it out!  This tent has a retractable awning as well as a veranda an even an annex that is optional.  If you like to combine off roading with camping then this is definitely a must for you.  ARB also offers additional camping accessories for camping depending on your needs

ARB 4x4

About

ARB has been a world leader in 4x4 parts and accessories since their inception over 30 years ago.  They specialize in rugged off road parts that were inspired by Australia’s treacherous Top End.  All of their parts are manufactured with safety in mind…both yours and your vehicles. 

Bumpers/Bull Bars

ARB bumpers and bull bars are made for nearly every 4x4 on or off the road today.  They are all made from heavy duty steel.  Coming in a variety of styles, they all are air bag compatible.  They offer options like antenna mounts, light mounts, winch mounts and more.  All of these bars and bumpers also have optional accessories that are not actually manufactured on to the main parts.

Suspensions

Suspension systems are what give the vehicle and the passenger’s stability when the vehicle is in motion.  Old Man Emu gets its name from the Emu.  This is a large, flightless Australian bird.  The idea is that the bird’s body remains stable and unmoving while it’s long legs absorb the impact with the ground when running.  ARB (Old Man Emu) studied this bird closely when designing their suspension systems and as such has a very innovative selection for you to choose from.

Misc Parts

ARB offers a great variety of parts and accessories for your 4x4.  You can get not only the parts mentioned above, but you can also get touring and camping gear.  If you need a roof rack, they have those too.  Also offered are the stylish and very useful vehicle snorkels.  They have air lockers, compressors, fridges, differentials and covers and a whole plethora of other items.

Catalog

A catalog is a great way to browse through all of the great parts and options available to you from ARB.  Catalogs are easily obtained too.  Simply go to the ARB web site and click on catalogs.  It will take you to a page where you enter your pertinent information and shortly you will receive a catalog through snail mail.

Installation Guides

This is really interesting.  You can get installation guides for every part you order from ARB.  Maybe you don’t need an installation guide, but for those of us who do, these are amazing.  They take you step by step through the entire installation process and even include lists of parts and tools needed for a complete and painless installation.  They really take the headache of guesswork out of a project.