MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Pumbaa on December 26, 2010, 04:00:13 PM
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I need some recommendations regarding if you had to do it again to put bull bars, lights etc on your next car would you go back to ARB or TJM.
As this is my first 4x4 I would like your feedback, as word of the mouth is the best recommendation tool.
Thanks again every 1 looking forward to hearing what products and who you purchase them from.
I am looking for:
Bull bar
Lights
Tow pack
Dual battery
Snorkel
Roof rack and bars
Radio UHF
Long range petrol tank
Can not wait to hear your suggestions and further additions to add to the list :D
Greg :laugh:
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Sounds like you have a great list lined up, firstly I would take your list into each supplier then see what sort of deal you will be able to get yourself, That's if your buying more than on accessory at a time!
You can also mix n match ;D
I'll be watching this thread too!
Rich
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I hope to buy them all at once, and yes get a great deal. At the moment I guess I would like to work out which company and products are recommended.
I can't wait to get my new pathfinder.
Greg
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eBay, all the junk on ours except the air lockers came from eBay.
And the only thing that has given us issues on the car is the only think we purchased new, the air lockers... Go figure!
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Depends on who's fitting the bits too. I'd ask around your area as to who has good/not so good mechanics working there. You don't want shoddy work on things like snorkels.
Regarding bars, my new ARB one has no jack points for a hilift which is pretty slack IMO - otherwise it's a very nice bit of kit. I tend to get stuff like radios, lights etc from whoever has the gear I want at the right price, then I get a reputable local auto elec to fit it. I figure it's their specialty, and they seem to tolerate me nagging them about what gauge wire to use etc.. ;D That said, I can't fault the gear/service my local ARB provides.
One last thing, if you're considering a winch. I recently bought a Warn 8000lb from the States for $1000 less (incl post) than the local ARB quoted. Normally I support the locals, but I made an exception for that one! Quadratec were the mob if you're interested - they were excellent to deal with. ARB still fitted it with no hassles (and yes, I've given it a run!...)
Have fun,
Cam
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our prado is basically a driving advert for ARB, thats because I am happy with the prices / service I get from them. I doubt there is much difference between the two, its just how good the people are that work at your local dealer. As others have said, ask around, see who is happy with the service they have gotten or more importantly if they are not happy, find out why.
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Hi Pumbaa
Our fleet vehicles that run ARB NEVER have issues with quality.
Cant say the same for ANY other mainstream brand sadly.
Have fun buying!
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Gday Pumbaa,
I have mixed and matched from a variety of companies and have not had an issue with any of them. As stated earlier in the post try and find out your local dealers and who has the best mechanics as this will be a big influence on the reliability of the product.
:cheers: Cracka
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i had a warranty issue as posted on this forum with arb - curly one that they could have easily fobbed me off with - even the other forum members were saying i was legally on shaky ground - morally perhaps a bit better - but after investigation and a chat to the regional manager they fixed the problem for the price of parts which was negligible
very happy with the service. will buy from them again.
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Each do various products better.......
Below is IMO......
Bull bar - ARB hands down, do the best bar on the market.
Lights - Much for muchness, most dealers stock the same or similar lights.
Tow pack - Most deal Hayman Reece which is the way to go.
Dual battery - ARB and TJM have similar products but I have the Piranaha DBS180S, I'm running two of these to enable a 3 stage system to charge trailer batteries.
Snorkel - Most will run Safari and I personally prefer the Safari in many ways....
Roof rack and bars - Not a fan of the ARB version though I got mine through a TJM store which is the Tradesman Oval Alloy which is fantastic.
Radio UHF - All will run similar models
Long range petrol tank - Petty sure both run Longranger tanks.
So with this in mine, shop around and see which one will give you the best deal for bulk purchase. You will be surprised what you can get. We basically got our $1100 roof rack for free when we did a $14k fit out...... :cheers:
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Thanks every for your feed back so far..... :cheers:
I was more interested in the great debate between 2 companies and getting every ones opinion on there products and so far it a draw 8)
I will be visiting both companies to get prices on the list.
Dam i wish it was in the drive way already :D
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Thanks every for your feed back so far..... :cheers:
I was more interested in the great debate between 2 companies and getting every ones opinion on there products and so far it a draw 8)
I will be visiting both companies to get prices on the list.
Dam i wish it was in the drive way already :D
The companies themselves are much the same, the dealerships on the other hand are 2 different things. I have had good service from TJM cairns but cannot say the same thing about ARB Cairns. Products are good, service POO...... :cheers:
Check the service from your local dealer and see what gives you the best vibe......
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No one company has the best of everything. Best idea is to check out what each supplier has to offer, and compare each item on an individual basis.
My Patrol is a bit of a mix and match affair, picking the best of each item.
Not a lot of people have the cash to drive in and have all the accessories fitted all in one sitting, especially after just purchasing a new vehicle.
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I have ARB in most things.....However Ironman is well worth adding to your list to investigated......I here they had "poached" a few of the ARB R & D guys over the last year or two.....a mate has just got a deluxe B/Bar for his Prado and very happy, I got one of their awnings and happy. I beleive the poor name they had was in the past.....
:cheers:
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You also need to consider the what-if scenario. In case something happens in the bush do you have an Aus wide network of dealers who can help? Oh ARB is cool, TJM is ghey O0
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Hey Teabag, did you see the TV add for new ownership/management of ARB Cairns recently?
In Darwin I was an ARB devotee. Good service and rapport with the manager. In Cairns, I've become a TJM devotee, good service & rapport with the manager.
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Hey Teabag, did you see the TV add for new ownership/management of ARB Cairns recently?
In Darwin I was an ARB devotee. Good service and rapport with the manager. In Cairns, I've become a TJM devotee, good service & rapport with the manager.
Speaking to a few of the 4x4 people here unfortunatly ARB are not any better than they were before the change over...
Bill and Morag
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I have ARB in most things.....However Ironman is well worth adding to your list to investigated......I here they had "poached" a few of the ARB R & D guys over the last year or two.....a mate has just got a deluxe B/Bar for his Prado and very happy, I got one of their awnings and happy. I beleive the poor name they had was in the past.....
:cheers:
I can vouch for this one if you are in Cairns.
Nathan Lockyear has the local Ironman here and he and his staff are excellent.
IMO the Ironman products are top notch as well...
Bill and Morag
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There's been talk on other forums about paint quality/corrosion issues on Ironman bars. I'd be careful on that one - agree they look ok but you can have the "real deal" for a few hundred bucks more. In my town at least, the ARB was only a couple of hundred more than the similar looking Ironman so we're not talking mortgages here!
Cheers,
Cam
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The companies themselves are much the same, the dealerships on the other hand are 2 different things. I have had good service from TJM cairns but cannot say the same thing about ARB Cairns. Products are good, service POO...... :cheers:
Check the service from your local dealer and see what gives you the best vibe......
Totally agree there.
The ARB in Rockhampton was great, always friendly and would bend over backwards for you. But unless you are going to fit out an entire fleet the ARB in Mackay doesn't want to know you.
The TJM in Rockhampton and Mackay are probably on par with each other.
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Hey Teabag, did you see the TV add for new ownership/management of ARB Cairns recently?
In Darwin I was an ARB devotee. Good service and rapport with the manager. In Cairns, I've become a TJM devotee, good service & rapport with the manager.
Yes, but the staff hasn't changed which is the issue at the Cairns store. I agree, the TJM store in Cairns has very good reliable service. ARB Cairns needs to have a good look at themselves wrt service, products are great but service POO..... >:(
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Yes, but the staff hasn't changed which is the issue at the Cairns store. I agree, the TJM store in Cairns has very good reliable service. ARB Cairns needs to have a good look at themselves wrt service, products are great but service POO..... >:(
Sounds like ARB Alice Springs. All I wanted was a couple of bolts as the stupid captive nuts they use for the bash plates had come adrift somewhere in the bush. They said no they don't have any and go away :(
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Totally agree there.
The ARB in Rockhampton was great, always friendly and would bend over backwards for you. But unless you are going to fit out an entire fleet the ARB in Mackay doesn't want to know you.
The TJM in Rockhampton and Mackay are probably on par with each other.
Thats funny ( not in haha ) I only bought suspension lift through ARB MKY and Ken says hi and Knows my name when i walk in there 2 times a year.
I went TJM bar as it had a raised centre tube to fit larger lights, which ARB doesnt cater for.
ARB raised suspension on reputation and they had a demo vehicle decked out the same.
Regards DP
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Thats funny ( not in haha ) I only bought suspension lift through ARB MKY and Ken says hi and Knows my name when i walk in there 2 times a year.
You must just stand out in the crowd then - either that or he liked the look of you :)
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Service is what counts , on the nth side of brisvegas ARB simply has no service where as TJM cant seem to do enough for you , little bits count , ARB no prices displayed on stock so YOU have to approach the salesman and woe betide you if you tell them that your only in the process of looking and comparing ,
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I need some recommendations regarding if you had to do it again to put bull bars, lights etc on your next car would you go back to ARB or TJM.
As this is my first 4x4 I would like your feedback, as word of the mouth is the best recommendation tool.
Thanks again every 1 looking forward to hearing what products and who you purchase them from.
I am looking for:
Bull bar
Lights
Tow pack
Dual battery
Snorkel
Roof rack and bars
Radio UHF
Long range petrol tank
Can not wait to hear your suggestions and further additions to add to the list :D
Greg :laugh:
OK. Greg. This is my choice
Bull bar ...... ARB
Lights.....Hella 4000 HID
Tow pack
Dual battery.... Piranha or Taxide from Drive safe
Snorkel....Safari
Roof rack and bars....Rhino
Radio UHF...GME
Long range petrol tank.... Long Range Automotive
This is what I have and have had for a number of years with out issue.
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A few changes for me
Bull bar - ARB
Lights - Hella 4000 HID
Tow pack - Hayman Reese
Dual battery - ARB tray, Traxide controller
Snorkel - Safari
Roof rack and bars - Rhino
Radio UHF - Icom IC440, ZCG antenna
Long range petrol tank - Long Range Automotive
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Hate to be the bearer of bad news but i am pretty sure you cannot put a Steel bull bar on the new Pathfinder.
I was tossing up pathfinder/pager , Nissan dealer told me alloy or plastic were the only choices.
I ended up with the Platinum Pajero and went colour coded ARB.
Great job and looks awesome.
Hopefully the info I was given was wrong as I didn't research any further once advised to to a better deal on the Pajero!
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A big thanks for all the comments and feedback, i have found this to harder than buying a house :laugh
please keep the feed back coming the list and the companies is changing and getting almost locked down.
Bull bar - Alloy ECB from TJM
Lights - Hella 4000 HID or IPF Extreme still unsure
Tow pack - Hayman Reese
Dual battery - ARB tray, Traxide controller or Phirana
Snorkel - Safari
Roof rack and bars - Rhino Aireo Bars and Alloy Rack
Radio UHF - Unsure yet leaning towards GME TX3440
Long range petrol tank - Long Range Automotive
Still got 3 weeks to go before delivery, i cant wait. 8)
Greg
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For the UHF I would go for the 3440, i have had one for 3 years and it has been faultless, The handset has even been floating in water and still works like new!!
Rich
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A big thanks for all the comments and feedback, i have found this to harder than buying a house :laugh
please keep the feed back coming the list and the companies is changing and getting almost locked down.
Bull bar - Alloy ECB from TJM
Lights - Hella 4000 HID or IPF Extreme still unsure
Tow pack - Hayman Reese
Dual battery - ARB tray, Traxide controller or Phirana
Snorkel - Safari
Roof rack and bars - Rhino Aireo Bars and Alloy Rack
Radio UHF - Unsure yet leaning towards GME TX3440
Long range petrol tank - Long Range Automotive
Still got 3 weeks to go before delivery, i cant wait. 8)
Greg
Have you spoken to Nissan about installing a snorkel?
They put mine on my Navara and it was $150 cheaper than the Safari and after 4 years I still have not had one problem with it...
Bill and Morag
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We have a bit of both, and apart from our ARB compressor breaking there has been no problems.
Bull bar, Definitely ARB Deluxe
Lights, Lightforce HID
Tow pack, Hayman Reece
Dual battery, Piranna
Snorkel, We went genuine, I'm not a fan of the safari.
Roof rack and bars, Rhino
Radio UHF, GME or Uniden
Long range petrol tank, Longranger
Dazza
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Safari snorkels can look poxy on some vehicles as the top of snorkel and ram head sit out at a weird angle. It would pay to check another vehicle of the same to see if it looks acceptable.
Regards DP
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I have the 2008 R51 ST-L with a Nissan steel bull bar and Nissan snorkel.The long range tank and rear wheel carrier were supplied and fitted by opposite lock.They have also fitted 50ml lift roof bars dual battery set up and very happy with their service.I use the Springwood branch in Qld.
Trevor
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I would always go for steel up front ... I never trust alloy for front protection.
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I would always go for steel up front ... I never trust alloy for front protection.
what about plastic (http://www.smart-bar.com.au/)? I *nearly* went for a smartbar on my Patrol, but peer pressure sent me with steel :)
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G'day Greg,
I agree with the others. Shop around for deals, and see what each looks like. There really is a big difference in how they look.
This is what we run and are very happy with the choices.
Bull bar, Definitely ARB Deluxe, we have the brush bars as well
Lights, Hella 4000s. As we don't do a lot of night driving, more than happy with the halogens.
Tow pack, Hayman Reece
Dual battery, Piranha DBE-180S
Snorkel, Safari
Roof rack and bars,
Radio UHF, GME as we have had a great run with them
Long range petrol tank,
Local ARB guy is fantastic, but then I have been dealing with him for years. ;D
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Hi traveller, as your just down the road can I get a contact and address detail of ARB please.
Thank you to every 1 else that has helped me accessorize my new pathfinder. :cup:
Your ideas and suggestions have helped greatly
Greg
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PM sent. ;D
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I've found that the accessories are not the problem, just the fitting. I've yet to see top workmanship from either dealers.
bert
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I love the ARB products, however I did shop around for a dealer who wasn't an arrogant prick. There are a few.
Regards
Geoff
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A lot of other people love ARB products too, a nice earner for shareholders :cup:
(http://blkmav.com/images/arp.jpg)
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Next build I'll go
Bull bar, Definitely ARB Deluxe
Lights, Lightforce HID
Tow pack, Milford
Dual battery, Piranha
Snorkel, Safari.
Roof rack and bars, Rhino
Radio UHF, GME
Long range petrol tank, Brown Davis Longrange
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Already plenty of suggestions for particular brands of each of your items, personally I look at products and prices but also service at the shop. I tend to use Opposite lock a lot, ARB a bit and wont buy anything from our local TJM after getting some very bad service and advice. Our Patrol is a mixture of all brands and everything has been fitted very well, specially impressed with Opposite Lock. With the snorkel, we went Safari because it has the last section of the main pipe vertical which means you can turn the head or fit alternate heads which wasn't possible on the other brands to suit our vehicle.
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Hi All
Whilst this post is not ARB Vs TJM, just thought i would share this.
I have a ARB Deluxe Winch Bar (Colour Coded to Car). This bar is 4 months old, have just spotted rust appearing on the inside of the top upright where the weld finishes. It appears the powdercoating has cracked and allowed water in, or the Bar was not prepared correctly befor painting. Well not a happy camper, returned vehicle to where the Bar was purchased. The guys took photos and sent them to ARB. Got advice today the ARB is replacing the bar with a new one (colour coded of course). While a lot are for colour coding these bars I am sure it would have been harder to spot if it was the standard Black as opposed to White
Anyway thanks to Jimmy at Mannell Motors(Thornleigh NSW) and the guys at ARB :cup: for the great service and standing by their warranty and products, nice to know after reading some posts on this forum
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Hey Karl,
I think i'm experiencing similar to you, i noticed some rust in similar areas. I might have to get in contact with ARB Capalaba. Stay tuned.
cheers
Geoff
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Hi Geoff
Mate if its the same as mine, stand you ground and I think you will find they will come to the party the same as the did with me.
Good Luck
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We did a tour through the factory last year. All their bars are powder coated and then if someone orders a colour coded bar the powder coat is rubbed up to prep it for paint so surprised you are getting rust with powdercoat and paint but good to hear you are being looked after.
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We did a tour through the factory last year. All their bars are powder coated and then if someone orders a colour coded bar the powder coat is rubbed up to prep it for paint so surprised you are getting rust with powdercoat and paint but good to hear you are being looked after.
Hi David
Yes i was surprised as I had the same type of bar on the R51 Pathfinder for Four years (colour coded Blue) and never had a problem. The place were the rust is is on one or the top uprights on this inside at the bottom right near were the black rubber surround fits on, it looks like the outercoating of the paint has cracked. Anyway good to see they are Backing up their products
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Feel free to give us a call to discuss. We're an independent shop and sell ARB, Ironman, ECB, Outback Accessories and Avenger bars. So we can do a price comparison on these and your other accessories.
Johnno.
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Feel free to give us a call to discuss. We're an independent shop and sell ARB, Ironman, ECB, Outback Accessories and Avenger bars. So we can do a price comparison on these and your other accessories.
Johnno.
Johnno, your involvement with the forum is great, however you may want to read the posts in the following link, particularly Bigjules post about soliciting in posts.
http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=121.msg103490#msg103490 (http://myswag.org/forum/index.php?topic=121.msg103490#msg103490)