ARB Bumpers & Sliders: Need Your Input

[Jagged155]

I am consider adding ARB front and rear bumpers and sliders but hoping to get some input. The sliders seem like a no brainer, but am I going to regret adding a bunch of weight with the bumpers and tire carrier?

Current setup is OME lift with standard duty springs since I am running a stock front bumper and just a stubby rear bumper. No body lift.

Of course I understand adding a winch will put on some weight but I would do synthetic line.

I like the clean and consistent look of ARB products... my Jeep looks stock to someone who doesn't know Jeeps well.

Thanks in advance

 

[Chris]

You need the OME HD springs if you want to add the ARB bumpers, tire carrier, sliders, and a winch.

Those bumpers are HEAVY, as are the sliders. If you put all that extra weight on, not only is the suspension going to sag, but it's not going to ride as nicely either.

Trust me on this one... I've talked with people who knows these OME springs in depth, and they'll all tell you that those OME light duty springs are made for a bone stock TJ with no extra weight added, just a lift.

You will regret not having the HD springs with all those mods you're planning on doing. That's a guarantee.

 

[Jagged155]

You need the OME HD springs if you want to add the ARB bumpers, tire carrier, sliders, and a winch.

Those bumpers are HEAVY, as are the sliders. If you put all that extra weight on, not only is the suspension going to sag, but it's not going to ride as nicely either.

Trust me on this one... I've talked with people who knows these OME springs in depth, and they'll all tell you that those OME light duty springs are made for a bone stock TJ with no extra weight added, just a lift.

You will regret not having the HD springs with all those mods you're planning on doing. That's a guarantee.

That makes sense. Same issue if I skip the front bumper? Maybe just add a winch plate to the front bumper.

Additionally, just add the sliders and/or rear bumper? I love the way it rides and definitely don't want to compromise it.

 

[Chris]

That makes sense. Same issue if I skip the front bumper? Maybe just add a winch plate to the front bumper.

Additionally, just add the sliders and/or rear bumper? I love the way it rides and definitely don't want to compromise it.

Yep, it will be the same even if you skip that front bumper. That ARB armor you're talking about adding (even the sliders) weighs way more than you think. Those light duty OME springs are meant for a stock vehicle... no armor, sliders, or tire carriers whatsoever. This is why I always encourage people never to get those light duty springs, because they never end up keeping their vehicle stock.

My buddy had the light duty springs in his. He added all the parts you're talking about adding (though not ARB) and his 2.5" lift ended up looking like less than 1" of lift, it sagged that much!

Because of that, it also compressed the shocks so much that his up-travel was greatly reduced, and therefore the ride quality ended up suffering as well.

Granted this was 5 years ago or so, but I remember it! He switched to the HD springs and it solved his issue.

 

[05 Blue Unlimited]

2x in what Chris said. IDK... ARB makes some quality stuff but it's pricey. I personally think you can do as well (if not better) from some of the on-line fabrication shops like Dirtworx.

 

[Jagged155]

Well it looks like I will need to switch springs then.

Should I add the OME 10mm spacers while I am doing it? It would be nice to have a little more lift without doing a body lift. Also, what is the best bump stop option? Mine need to be replaced.

 

[Chris]

Yes, I would add the OME 10mm spacers, as then you'll have 2.5" of lift instead of 2".

As for bump stops, just use hockey pucks. That what I've done, and it's what a lot of us do too.

 

[Starrs]

I am consider adding ARB front and rear bumpers and sliders but hoping to get some input. The sliders seem like a no brainer, but am I going to regret adding a bunch of weight with the bumpers and tire carrier?

Current setup is OME lift with standard duty springs since I am running a stock front bumper and just a stubby rear bumper. No body lift.

Of course I understand adding a winch will put on some weight but I would do synthetic line.

I like the clean and consistent look of ARB products... my Jeep looks stock to someone who doesn't know Jeeps well.

Thanks in advance

View attachment 69677

I hate yellow but I love the look of yours. ARB spiders and bumpers will look great on there. Just to add to what was already stated your going to need to add a 3/4” spacer up front also to account for the added weight of the winch up front. Will eliminate the rake your going to have. That’s gonna look awesome. Also keep the stock MOAB rims. Don’t go black or something like that. Looks great!

 

[Jagged155]

I hate yellow but I love the look of yours. ARB spiders and bumpers will look great on there. Just to add to what was already stated your going to need to add a 3/4” spacer up front also to account for the added weight of the winch up front. Will eliminate the rake your going to have. That’s gonna look awesome. Also keep the stock MOAB rims. Don’t go black or something like that. Looks great!

Thank you! I agree in regards to color, but all my other cars are white or silver so it works for me. I was thinking of doing 17" AEV Pintlers... but I also love the stock Moabs. So I am unsure

 

[Jagged155]

Yep, it will be the same even if you skip that front bumper. That ARB armor you're talking about adding (even the sliders) weighs way more than you think. Those light duty OME springs are meant for a stock vehicle... no armor, sliders, or tire carriers whatsoever. This is why I always encourage people never to get those light duty springs, because they never end up keeping their vehicle stock.

My buddy had the light duty springs in his. He added all the parts you're talking about adding (though not ARB) and his 2.5" lift ended up looking like less than 1" of lift, it sagged that much!

Because of that, it also compressed the shocks so much that his up-travel was greatly reduced, and therefore the ride quality ended up suffering as well.

Granted this was 5 years ago or so, but I remember it! He switched to the HD springs and it solved his issue.

Just checked my invoice.... I have Medium front springs and "100KG Constant Rear Springs"

I am going to skip the front bumper regardless and just add a winch, rear bumper, and sliders. Do I still need to swap springs?

 

[MountaineerTom]

I have the OME HD springs front and rear, but still needed to add a spacer to the front to level it out. Give me minute and I can get you more info...

 

[Chris]

Just checked my invoice.... I have Medium front springs and "100KG Constant Rear Springs"

I am going to skip the front bumper regardless and just add a winch, rear bumper, and sliders. Do I still need to swap springs?

I’ve never heard of anyone running the medium duty springs, so I’m not entirely sure. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to try.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Here’s my setup. I ordered the OME Ultimate kit from DPG off Road and Dirk helped me a lot with what to get.

I have an LOD rear bumper and tire carrier. With the spare on the total weight is 174 lbs. I also have their trail rack on the carrier too, but I didn’t get the weight on it. I’d guess 10 lbs maybe.

On the front I have an LOD 44” stubby bumper, Smittibilt winch plate and a warn VR8000 winch with steel cable. The bumper isn’t extremely heavy but it heavier than stock. The combo of the winch plate and winch is heavy. I don’t have any weights of the front set up but in know it’s conciderably heavier than when I hade only the stock bumper on.

The springs I have are:
Front - 2933 heavy load
Rear - 2942 constant heavy load

Dirk sent an extra front spring isolator and said I may need to install it to level it out. He was right. I stacked it on top of the one already there.

 

[Jagged155]

Here’s my setup. I ordered the OME Ultimate kit from DPG off Road and Dirk helped me a lot with what to get.

I have an LOD rear bumper and tire carrier. With the spare on the total weight is 174 lbs. I also have their trail rack on the carrier too, but I didn’t get the weight on it. I’d guess 10 lbs maybe.

On the front I have an LOD 44” stubby bumper, Smittibilt winch plate and a warn VR8000 winch with steel cable. The bumper isn’t extremely heavy but it heavier than stock. The combo of the winch plate and winch is heavy. I don’t have any weights of the front set up but in know it’s conciderably heavier than when I hade only the stock bumper on.

The springs I have are:
Front - 2933 heavy load
Rear - 2942 constant heavy load

Dirk sent an extra front spring isolator and said I may need to install it to level it out. He was right. I stacked it on top of the one already there.

Thanks for the info. Dirk is great. I purchased the ultimate kit about 4 years ago, just didn't do the body lift. I will give him a shout and see exactly what to do. Getting ready to actually get off the pavement.

 

[MountaineerTom]

I also bought the OME 10 mm (I think) trim spacers in case I needed to add them after everything settled. It’s been 7 months since I put the lift on and haven’t needed to add them yet.

 

[MountaineerTom]

Thanks for the info. Dirk is great. I purchased the ultimate kit about 4 years ago, just didn't do the body lift. I will give him a shout and see exactly what to do. Getting ready to actually get off the pavement.

I didn’t put the BL or MML on yet either. Saving it for if/when I put 33’s and regear.