New bumpers for my Rubihara—ARB or RockHard 4x4

Russ Mullen · Sep 11, 2020

I'm in the process of having my Rubihara rebuilt on a modest lift and 33s and I'm trying to select the right front/rear bumpers. I am down to either Rock Hard or ARB. I'm currently leaning toward ARB because I love the look of their front bumper. My last TJR had an ARB front and RockHard rear, so I am familiar with the quality of both.

All opinions welcome!

Advantages ARB
looks
connected/single action rear tire carrier (you don't have to open the carrier and rear hatch separately)

Advantages RockHard
cost
fits a broader selection of winches

Hammer24 · Sep 11, 2020

I think the ARB front bars look awesome and give a bit of a different look but what can I say, I am a little biased.

Screen Shot 2020-09-11 at 11.31.52 pm.png

tworley · Sep 11, 2020

Keep in mind weight and approach/departure angles. Also, I know of only two front bumpers that do this, but there should be a vertical lip on the underside side that is a 1/8"-1/16" away from the cross member. This keeps your bumper rigid and structural during contact.

You'll find that opening the carrier first, then the tailgate will get old fast. Go with a tailgate mounted carrier such as bestop or moryde.

Alex01 · Sep 11, 2020

What kind of offroading, if any, do you plan on doing? I had a full width Warn crawler bumper and I kept hitting the ends on rocks. I eventually busted out the angle grinder and cut the ends off so I would hit the tires before the bumper.

After seeing @CodaMan's bumper I'll cast my vote to Rock Hard 4x4

CodaMan · Sep 11, 2020

Here's my Rock Hard 4X4 bumper

j8ksdad · Sep 11, 2020

I love the look of the ARB, especially how the winch tucks into the bumper. However, it looks like it blocks most of the grill, so it would greatly impede air flow. I'm new to Jeep stuff, but I've heard of cooling issues with TJs so this may be an issue. Also the ARB looks super wide. depending on your intended use that may be an issue with articulation and clearance.

alittleoff · Sep 11, 2020

I’ve got a used ARB front that I’d like to sell but, shipping from So Cal would kill any deal.

The air flow is fine.

Hammer24 · Sep 11, 2020

j8ksdad said:
I love the look of the ARB, especially how the winch tucks into the bumper. However, it looks like it blocks most of the grill, so it would greatly impede air flow. I'm new to Jeep stuff, but I've heard of cooling issues with TJs so this may be an issue. Also the ARB looks super wide. depending on your intended use that may be an issue with articulation and clearance.

I will point out that in the years i've owned my jeep with the arb bar and the huge spot lights blocking the grill, my jeep has never even got close to overheating. Not even in aussie summers in peak hour traffic. True that the clearance isnt the best on the arb bar but that is in part due to the fact that most arb bars are designed to protect from wildlife here in aus like hitting 150lbs+ kangaroos at 65mph.

jjvw · Sep 11, 2020

ARB bumpers are fat, heavy and ugly. Rockhard is less so.

j8ksdad · Sep 11, 2020

Hammer24 said:
I will point out that in the years i've owned my jeep with the arb bar and the huge spot lights blocking the grill, my jeep has never even got close to overheating. Not even in aussie summers in peak hour traffic. True that the clearance isnt the best on the arb bar but that is in part due to the fact that most arb bars are designed to protect from wildlife here in aus like hitting 150lbs+ kangaroos at 65mph.

Awesome! Thanks for clarifying! Like I said, I'm new to Jeeps. We just purchased our TJ a few weeks ago and I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

CodaMan · Sep 11, 2020

j8ksdad said:
... I'm new to Jeep stuff, but I've heard of cooling issues with TJs ...

The only TJs with cooling issues are the ones with poorly maintained cooling systems.

Russ Mullen · Sep 11, 2020

Hammer24 said:
I think the ARB front bars look awesome and give a bit of a different look but what can I say, I am a little biased.
View attachment 189174

That's the look I want. What diameter are your off-road lights?

Jerry Bransford · Sep 11, 2020

j8ksdad said:
However, it looks like it blocks most of the grill, so it would greatly impede air flow. I'm new to Jeep stuff, but I've heard of cooling issues with TJs so this may be an issue.

You heard wrong, at least if the TJ has the OE Mopar radiator. The TJ's OEM cooling system is outstanding and has enough excess cooling capacity so big bumpers, winches, etc. don't cause cooling issues. It's when store brand or online brand radiators have been installed when cooling issues can start.

pagrey · Sep 11, 2020

jjvw said:
ARB bumpers are fat, heavy and ugly.

Ya, he should get a small light pretty bumper and bend his fenders the first time he hits the trails.

j8ksdad · Sep 11, 2020

Jerry Bransford said:
You heard wrong, at least if the TJ has the OE Mopar radiator. The TJ's OEM cooling system is outstanding and has enough excess cooling capacity so big bumpers, winches, etc. don't cause cooling issues. It's when store brand or online brand radiators have been installed when cooling issues can start.

Thanks!

Noticed you are in Escondido also!

il buono · Sep 11, 2020

Just came back from buying half doors. The guy had ARB front and rear bumpers on his '97 TJ. I like the different look it provides.

ranger101 · Sep 11, 2020

I have a Warn bumper I’d let go, if you’re interested.

jjvw · Sep 11, 2020

pagrey said:
Ya, he should get a small light pretty bumper and bend his fenders the first time he hits the trails.

If those are the types of trails he runs then something like the ARB is only going to be a nuisance on several levels. Rockhard, less so.

Jerry Bransford · Sep 11, 2020

j8ksdad said:
Thanks!

Noticed you are in Escondido also!

I am, down over toward Lake Hodges. We'll have to keep each other in mind for when we need help lol.

j8ksdad · Sep 11, 2020

Jerry Bransford said:
I am, down over toward Lake Hodges. We'll have to keep each other in mind for when we need help lol.

Yes, sir. Happy to help out any time. I'm over by Rincon Middle School.

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