Hi folks...new to the forums.

On April 15th of this year my 2000 Nissan Xterra was eaten by a Yukon :(
All the damage was on the front end, passenger side...estimate was $3400. Once I found out it wasn't going to be totaled, I asked the body shop to order a Shrock front bumper instead of replacing the grill guard and factory bumper, the cost was going to be around $750ish for factory brushguard and bumper so I just used the difference for a Shrock. The only downside was that Shrock was going to be at least 3 months out before they could even start, so long story short I canceled the Shrock order, only because I wouldn't have a bumper at all for no telling how long..trust me I had been wanting one for the longest and had my chance, but I just couldnt risk no bumper.
So, I called up ARB and they had a couple bumpers in stock, so I have placed my order from Autoanything, $789 plus free ship!
Can anyone tell me about the ARB? I have heard they were pretty good on like Jeeps and others but nothing about an X...anyone have a story or review on one to share?

they are great, well built bumpers. The only downside is if you eventually want to do a body lift you will have to modify the mounting points quite substantially. I loved mine

X2 Great bumper.. Id rather has shrock..but understand the wait time..

Like said above if you want to do a 2" Body Lift you will have to mod it down the road...

Post up pix

I've had good luck with mine. I bought it used but had really good communication with ARB about mounting.

A few pictures in case you care. It's the exact same bumper for 2000-2004.

http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad319/corolla4sale_photos/a8901087.jpg
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad319/corolla4sale_photos/e4d58408.jpg
http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad319/corolla4sale_photos/89b2f7a3.jpg

Compared to the Shrockworks:


On the plus side:


The ARB is well built, the powder coat holds up great, and it won't create more damage in an accident like a brush guard can.

It weighs about the same as the Shrock.

It can be delivered within a short period, as they are mass produced in a real factory/assembly line...more like OEM products, etc....with good quality control. Shrocks are made one at a time by a guy with a welder.



On the minus side:


it only comes as one model for the 2000 - 2004's...even though the hood lines are different by ~ 1 3/4", and the grill lower and upper lines are different between the round light and square light X's. The Shrock has a 2000-2001, and a 2002 - 2004 version for that reason.


It uses sheet metal, instead of 3/16" steel plate, for its face.

It has no front recovery points (The tabs are to hang your winch hook from only)

Being weaker, it is not rated for as strong a winch as the Shrock is.

It has a worse approach angle....so its harder to get over obstacles with the ARB than with a Shrock.

The thickest steel on it is 3/16" for mounts, vs 3/8" on the Shrock.

It uses weaker/thinner metal, yet weighs the same as the Shrock, as it covers air with nothing to protect behind it....so for example tire clearance for 33's means needing to cut off part of the bumper (Which is easy with a dremel, as its just sheet metal).

It can't be ordered for a 2" BL, so, raising it for a BL requires fab-work, as the mounting arms have to be cut off, eliminating part of its structural integrity...which you'd want replaced with additional bracing to compensate for.

It can't take the kind of impact a Shrock can...but does provide protection from deer strikes, etc...even if its damaged in the process. (Shrock takes the strikes w/o damage typically, ARB takes the strike protecting the rig, but it takes some damage)



Conclusion:

The Shrock is a better bumper, but the ARB is available.

Analogous to the saying:

"A mediocre plan, executed in time, is always better than the perfect plan that is executed too late"


In this case, depending on what "too late" means to you, the choice is clear.

:wink-big:

I've had mine for nearly two years and still love it though it is a little different since my X is a 2nd gen. I liked the less aggressive styling over the shrock simply because I will not be bouncing my rig off major rocks. The finish has held up superbly and when clean looks just as good as the day it was installed.
I've winched a few times now, once out of a pretty steep sand dune with an X very full of camping gear, there wasn't a problem. I'm not sure if the 1st gen bumper allows more winch models than mine but it holds a warn M8000 just fine, along with a couple extra driving lights and the fog light replacements which are really nice.
I'm using the tabs on the top of the tube to hold my CB & Ham antenna's and they work great though I will admit I'm getting a little tired of having them in my direct line of vision...but I only use them once in awhile so simply take them off when not using them.

Unless you really need the added approach angle, I think you'll be happy with the ARB.

The bumper looks great! And how long did it take to get from ARB?

The new truck has one on it, and if it wasn't modified for the BL, I would have swapped it with the shrock from my old Xterra. I like the bumper a lot, just not crazy about how thin it is and the approach angle. Looks wise, I think it is the best bumper out there. I plan on running mine until I kill it, and then I will switch to a tube bumper.

Just curious...anyone know/heard if Hefty Fabworks would be willing to do a front bumper for the first gens? They have stuff for the 2nd gens but no first gens...cause their wait time is wayyy shorter than Schrock (by like 4-6 weeks). Too bad Schrock doesn't expand their shop or man power cause they make great products :( Hefty Fabworks are aggressively styled and very tough. I've heard that ARB is really sturdy but I just don't think I'd ever buy one...don't like the bulk-square styling. Just me though, I'm a little weird :p

Just curious...anyone know/heard if Hefty Fabworks would be willing to do a front bumper for the first gens? They have stuff for the 2nd gens but no first gens...cause their wait time is wayyy shorter than Schrock (by like 4-6 weeks). Too bad Schrock doesn't expand their shop or man power cause they make great products :( Hefty Fabworks are aggressively styled and very tough. I've heard that ARB is really sturdy but I just don't think I'd ever buy one...don't like the bulk-square styling. Just me though, I'm a little weird :p

Hefty IS planning to offer a 1st Gen Bumper, and, I'd CALL them to see when that might be available.

Talked to them bout 3 weeks ago, hit up their Facebook page and they have some pics up. I know the rear bumpers are almost done.

They didn't have a 1gen input under the knife for the longest time, but they got their hands on one and are soon to be in full force.

^ YESSSSS! Sweet thanks for the info :) I think when I get an X that's who I'm going to go through for my Armor...I love Schrock's stuff just the wait time is ridiculous.

*Edit: checked it out...their 2nd gen bumpers look so good but the first gens are prety damn nice themselves ;) If I could get them to do like a single bar then I'd be in love!
:rofl-big:

Anyone have any pics of ARB front bumper on a 00?
I really need to view the forums @ home, my server has all the photo sites firewalled so I cant view many pics :(

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5591236300_302bb827fa.jpg

Google Image and some searching gave me this...it's a 2000 model. Idk if this is a member on here or not lol

I think you will be happy. Much better than stock.

My Hefty Fabworks front bumper for my 1st Gen Xterra (2003) is built and at the powder coaters now. I will be doing a full write up with mucho pictures of the bumper and the install as I believe mine is the first production one made using the changes in the front bar after that prototype one that was posted here.

Should have it before the end of this month.

Wait time is more like 8-10 weeks and mine went longer because of a steel shortage due to the recent problems in Japan.

I'm psyched!

CISO

I've been looking at the TAG bumper for my x, does anyone have a tactical armor group bumper or heard anything about it?

I finally got my X back, and with the ARB front bumper...it looks really good on, and as soon as I get my lights on I will post some pics.

My Hefty Fabworks front bumper for my 1st Gen Xterra (2003) is built and at the powder coaters now. I will be doing a full write up with mucho pictures of the bumper and the install as I believe mine is the first production one made using the changes in the front bar after that prototype one that was posted here.

Should have it before the end of this month.

Wait time is more like 8-10 weeks and mine went longer because of a steel shortage due to the recent problems in Japan.

I'm psyched!

CISO

Would you post a link to your thread you make in this thread when you get your bumper? I love HF armor and would like to see what they did for you. Thanks man.

I've been looking at the TAG bumper for my x, does anyone have a tactical armor group bumper or heard anything about it?

They are famous for poor quality, crooked welds, and mis-fitting parts, and even things just falling off from poor QA/QC, etc.

They had to change their name, they were known as KMA before, but, the rep/bad reports/reviews were killing new orders, so they changed the name to "Start Over" with fresh meat.

:D

On the plus side, some people didn't want to sue them...and kept the bumpers they didn't screw up as badly.

:wink-big:

They are famous for poor quality, crooked welds, and mis-fitting parts, and even things just falling off from poor QA/QC, etc.

They had to change their name, they were known as KMA before, but, the rep/bad reports/reviews were killing new orders, so they changed the name to "Start Over" with fresh meat.

:D

On the plus side, some people didn't want to sue them...and kept the bumpers they didn't screw up as badly.

:wink-big:

Thanks for saving me!

Thanks for saving me!

Just doin my Job mate.

:D

The First Church of TJTJ


IVE been SAVED!!!

:D

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff217/drbandkgb/6450912409552482.jpg