Attention: TDR Forum Junkies What's in a big bumper?
A heavy duty bumper is something that's been on my wish list for a long time. I put an ARB bumper on my Samurai and have one on my Jeep ZJ. So when 4WheelParts put them on deal with a set of IPF lights, delivered to my house for $1179, I decided now is good time. The model for the 2nd Gen Rams is called the Sahara Bar, which is styled differently than the more common Bull Bar. Instead of a full width, welded , tubular grill guard, this model features a decorative chrome hoop that is bolted on. The construction of the hoop is on par with tubular side steps. Not an anchor point, but you can lean against it. The bumper itself is everything you would expect from ARB - excellent engineering, craftsman-like construction, superb fit and finish.
Weight specs:
The naked bumper weighs 130 pounds. The hardware and ancillary parts weigh 40 pounds. The stock bumper weighs 40 pounds.
Construction:
From the outside, it looks like it came out of a mold; every bend, crease, and angle is smooth and flowing. From the inside, it's well gusseted. The welds are complete and smooth. The mounting brackets are massive and come with a pair of tow hooks (eyelets) that mount with 3 bolts to the frame horn. Everything is powder coated a dark charcoal grey. If the powder coating quality is anything like it is on the 7-yr old ARB on my Jeep, then no worries. It's all attached with 4 bolts bracket-to-frame and 4 bolts bumper-to-bracket on each side. If you want this bumper to hold a winch, be advised that it is designed specifically for the Warn 15,000.
Other (the extras):
Rubber baby buggy bumpers – The bottom leading edge, between the tube uprights, is covered by about a 1-inch thick (diameter) strip of heavy rubber that is bolted on. The bolts are molded into the strip. On the corners, just under the tube uprights, are thick plastic covers, also with molded in bolts for attachment.
Top cover plate - If you don't have a winch, which would be sticking a bit out of the holes in the top, it comes with a cover plate. There's even a strip of rubber molding to go around the edge for a finished look.
Bottom cover plate - Underneath, there is a piece of basically flat metal called a Wind Deflector. It covers the space between the bottom of the bumper and the front cross member, protecting all the finned aluminum stuff in that region.
Fog lights, or not - If you don't opt for their fog light kit (which I'm sure is the only one that would fit properly), they provide a set of plastic filler bezels to occupy the holes where the lights would go. I'm still toying with the idea of sticking my factory fog lights somewhere, but it would be hack. I'm waiting on the IPFs, which will bolt to the top of the bumper, inside the hoop.
Antenna holes - There are 2 holes on the outboard ends for CB antennas, and plastic plugs if you're antenna less.
Installation:
I'm the kind of guy, who actually reads instructions and user manuals thoroughly before proceeding, especially when it comes to truck alterations. ARB's instructions are pathetic, at least the Aussie-speak is amusing. Being an engineer by profession and gear head by nature, the technicalities of a bumper install are not daunting. I spent a full Saturday on the project (about 8 hours). But for a hand guiding it into place and another hand holding the hoop while I bolted it, it was a solo project. A bit of fitting was required as the front cross member had some welded flanges that needed grinding back about 3/8's of an inch to get the desired bracket alignment. This is not in the instructions; I chalk it up to Dodge manufacturing tolerances. You have to drill a few holes to take the slack out of the alignment slots once you have it in position. Instead of getting a couple of strong friends to lift the bumper while I aligned and bolted, I used an engine hoist. My wife leant a guiding hand so I wouldn’t bang anything up.
Impressions:
To each your own regarding aesthetics, I like it.
The most surprising comment was my wife saying she loved the new bumper! You just don't get that everyday! The chrome tube is not visible from the inside, which is good because I'm not a big fan of shiny. There’s a lot of room up front now, room enough for – oh I don’t know – some air horns maybe
The photos:
I searched the internet diligently and could only find 2 pictures of a Dodge with an ARB bumper, both factory promo shots. So I offer these.
The brackets – these deserve their own photo. Note the tow hook (eyelet).
The solo-install tool (engine hoist):
Front glamour shot: (Big rubber strip runs under license, invisible in plain sight. )
Profile glamour shot: (Note the TDR grill badge.
)
A heavy duty bumper is something that's been on my wish list for a long time. I put an ARB bumper on my Samurai and have one on my Jeep ZJ. So when 4WheelParts put them on deal with a set of IPF lights, delivered to my house for $1179, I decided now is good time. The model for the 2nd Gen Rams is called the Sahara Bar, which is styled differently than the more common Bull Bar. Instead of a full width, welded , tubular grill guard, this model features a decorative chrome hoop that is bolted on. The construction of the hoop is on par with tubular side steps. Not an anchor point, but you can lean against it. The bumper itself is everything you would expect from ARB - excellent engineering, craftsman-like construction, superb fit and finish.
Weight specs:
The naked bumper weighs 130 pounds. The hardware and ancillary parts weigh 40 pounds. The stock bumper weighs 40 pounds.
Construction:
From the outside, it looks like it came out of a mold; every bend, crease, and angle is smooth and flowing. From the inside, it's well gusseted. The welds are complete and smooth. The mounting brackets are massive and come with a pair of tow hooks (eyelets) that mount with 3 bolts to the frame horn. Everything is powder coated a dark charcoal grey. If the powder coating quality is anything like it is on the 7-yr old ARB on my Jeep, then no worries. It's all attached with 4 bolts bracket-to-frame and 4 bolts bumper-to-bracket on each side. If you want this bumper to hold a winch, be advised that it is designed specifically for the Warn 15,000.
Other (the extras):
Rubber baby buggy bumpers – The bottom leading edge, between the tube uprights, is covered by about a 1-inch thick (diameter) strip of heavy rubber that is bolted on. The bolts are molded into the strip. On the corners, just under the tube uprights, are thick plastic covers, also with molded in bolts for attachment.
Top cover plate - If you don't have a winch, which would be sticking a bit out of the holes in the top, it comes with a cover plate. There's even a strip of rubber molding to go around the edge for a finished look.
Bottom cover plate - Underneath, there is a piece of basically flat metal called a Wind Deflector. It covers the space between the bottom of the bumper and the front cross member, protecting all the finned aluminum stuff in that region.
Fog lights, or not - If you don't opt for their fog light kit (which I'm sure is the only one that would fit properly), they provide a set of plastic filler bezels to occupy the holes where the lights would go. I'm still toying with the idea of sticking my factory fog lights somewhere, but it would be hack. I'm waiting on the IPFs, which will bolt to the top of the bumper, inside the hoop.
Antenna holes - There are 2 holes on the outboard ends for CB antennas, and plastic plugs if you're antenna less.
Installation:
I'm the kind of guy, who actually reads instructions and user manuals thoroughly before proceeding, especially when it comes to truck alterations. ARB's instructions are pathetic, at least the Aussie-speak is amusing. Being an engineer by profession and gear head by nature, the technicalities of a bumper install are not daunting. I spent a full Saturday on the project (about 8 hours). But for a hand guiding it into place and another hand holding the hoop while I bolted it, it was a solo project. A bit of fitting was required as the front cross member had some welded flanges that needed grinding back about 3/8's of an inch to get the desired bracket alignment. This is not in the instructions; I chalk it up to Dodge manufacturing tolerances. You have to drill a few holes to take the slack out of the alignment slots once you have it in position. Instead of getting a couple of strong friends to lift the bumper while I aligned and bolted, I used an engine hoist. My wife leant a guiding hand so I wouldn’t bang anything up.
Impressions:
To each your own regarding aesthetics, I like it.
The most surprising comment was my wife saying she loved the new bumper! You just don't get that everyday! The chrome tube is not visible from the inside, which is good because I'm not a big fan of shiny. There’s a lot of room up front now, room enough for – oh I don’t know – some air horns maybe
The photos:
I searched the internet diligently and could only find 2 pictures of a Dodge with an ARB bumper, both factory promo shots. So I offer these.
The brackets – these deserve their own photo. Note the tow hook (eyelet).
The solo-install tool (engine hoist):
Front glamour shot: (Big rubber strip runs under license, invisible in plain sight. )
Profile glamour shot: (Note the TDR grill badge.
)
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The Jeep's in sore need of a suspension overhaul - long arm that is (if I'd quit spending my money on the truck). It's a '96, 5. 2, with 107K miles. It's made a couple Colorado back country trips, half a dozen Moab Easter Jeep Safaris, and one Grand Adventure over the Rubicon Trail :--) 
