ARB Bumper and Warn winch on Mojave - love it!

[Not2Late]

After searching the forums and much hand-wringing, I finally pulled the triger on a steel bumper for my Mojave. I ordered the "ARB Classic Deluxe"... I know it sounds like a hamburger order at the drive-through. I guess those Aussies have a way with words ?

While I was at it, I ordered a winch as well. Went with the Warn VR/EVO10. Really considered the made in USA Zeon, but couldn't justify the added cost since I don't wheel a ton.

ARB Bumper pros:

• This thing is heavy! Feels super sturdy and able to take a hit. Taking the old plastic and stamped steel bumper off really drove the point home. Really felt flimsy in comparison.
• Integrated winch plate that sits low - less blockage of air to the grill.
• Allowance/inclusion of the "crush cans" to be as close to the designed function of an OEM set-up. Wasn't thinking of this when I bought it, but now that I have it on, it makes me feel better for whatever reason. AEV seams to do this with their bumpers as well.
• The kit comes with all sorts of extra bolts and brakets to later mount ARB lights and accessories.
• The winch/fairlead is inset to the front of the bumber to allow for a swing up (parts included) plate for those that have to run a front tag.

Not cons, but a few things to point out:

• Instructions cover the main points, but it is assumed the installer has some "skills" to do some of the other things and adapt.
• Definitely a 2-person (3 is better) job to be able to hold the bumper in place while the attachment bolts are fed in and loosely tightened. You have to jiggle the bumper back and forth a tiny bit as the bolts are fed through the holes and things line up right.
• Had to trim a bit off of each front corner of the Mojave skid plate - about a 1"x1" square where it interfered with the bumber shackle mounts.

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[Bird Dog]

Looks great! While searching bumpers to replace the plastic one on my Rubicon I was looking at this ARB bumper as well as the steel factory option. Did it require a winch plate or anything extra? Any issues fitting stock LED's into it?

 

[Not2Late]

Looks great! While searching bumpers to replace the plastic one on my Rubicon I was looking at this ARB bumper as well as the steel factory option. Did it require a winch plate or anything extra? Any issues fitting stock LED's into it?

Nothing extra. The beefy winch plate is part of the bumper. Pretty thick too - almost 3/8". Had to use longer bolts and cut them down a little to custom fit them to get enough bite into the nuts in the winch bottom. No issues with fog lights. ARB gives you the mounting brackets for both the LEDs and Halogens.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Looks really nice. ARB builds outstanding equipment and typically lines up almost as though its OEM. I had one on my old Taco. It could take a beating. And it did.

 

[TangoMac]

Love it! I have been winch shopping and want the Warn but trying to think about saving a few dollars and going with something less expensive but telling myself what is a few hundred dollars and the struggle is real...

 

[biodiesel]

We had an ARB on our Jeep Liberty and loved it. If I put a bumper on the Gladiator, it will be an ARB. The fit and fitness is impressive, but more importantly, it has excellent frontend protection.

 

[KevinC]

I am a huge fan of ARB and Old Man Emu products. Problem is they are not a huge fan of Jeeps. You would think they would have a lot more products for Jeeps. But no.

I had the ARB on my JK and like you mentioned, it came with all sorts of extra bolts and nuts, wiring looms and brackets. That was 8 years ago and I still have some of it in my shed.

 

[Blade1668]

I am a huge fan of ARB and Old Man Emu products. Problem is they are not a huge fan of Jeeps. You would think they would have a lot more products for Jeeps. But no.

I had the ARB on my JK and like you mentioned, it came with all sorts of extra bolts and nuts, wiring looms and brackets. That was 8 years ago and I still have some of it in my shed.

FYI, Many front bumpers are about a direct bolt on from JK to JL or JT..

If the ARB bumper was in a price range I wanted to spend that would have been my first choice. Low winch mount being a top reason.

 

[NVjeff]

Looks good.
I've been debating installing a winch and bumper on my Gladiator.
I like the looks of this one though I'd prefer one with tow hooks or shackle mounts on it.

Do you have an estimate of the weight difference over the plastic bumper that it replaced?

 

[Not2Late]

Looks good.
I've been debating installing a winch and bumper on my Gladiator.
I like the looks of this one though I'd prefer one with tow hooks or shackle mounts on it.

Do you have an estimate of the weight difference over the plastic bumper that it replaced?

I didn't weigh it, but shipping weight was listed at 190 lbs. Felt a little less than that. The winch added another 30-40 lbs. So I bet I added roughly 200 lbs to the front of my jeep. Really haven't noticed any squat - but I did not measure things beforehand or afterwards. I think Mojaves have a slight negative rake with the front being a tad higher, so this may have evened things out a bit.

The bumper does have shackle mounts. They are low, under the bumper and not out front where some have them.

 

[kacey]

Hi, I think it’s really great, good work !

 

[UltimateCouchPotato]

You mentioned how heavy the bumper is, any lost in MPG?

 

[Splenda]

Looks good. I've always wanted an ARB bumper, but I've never been willing to spend the money.

 

[CPTRVB]

Looks good.
I've been debating installing a winch and bumper on my Gladiator.
I like the looks of this one though I'd prefer one with tow hooks or shackle mounts on it.

Do you have an estimate of the weight difference over the plastic bumper that it replaced?

The bumper and hardware are 145# and the Zeon 10S I added is 75#. I also added a set of ARB Solis 36 lights at approximately 16#. Approximately 236# total. This dropped my front end 1" measured at the center of the wheel well on my Rubicon JT. I did not weigh the plastic bumper to calculate the difference.

 

[CPTRVB]

I didn't weigh it, but shipping weight was listed at 190 lbs. Felt a little less than that. The winch added another 30-40 lbs. So I bet I added roughly 200 lbs to the front of my jeep. Really haven't noticed any squat - but I did not measure things beforehand or afterwards. I think Mojaves have a slight negative rake with the front being a tad higher, so this may have evened things out a bit.

The bumper does have shackle mounts. They are low, under the bumper and not out front where some have them.

Note that the shipping weight includes the large pallet and copious packing materials (~40#). Also, about 5 pounds of lamp brackets and hardware not used on the JT.

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