TJM or ARB?

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

TJM or ARB?

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Over the years I have availed myself of product from both of these 'suppliers'.

My feeling is not so much the "product" - as both seem to manufacture good gear - but rather the 'bloke in the shop/workshop' ya deal with.

I can't recommend either of the above - neither can I say either is not worthwhile.

Of course, it will depend on what your are 'modifying' - If is a 'garden-variety white goods' vehicle (Toyota LC) then either would be good. Patrols will also be well serviced I would assume - anything else just may not be as well 'researched' - who knows.

I am sure if you identify your vehicle make/model/year this may assist other, wiser heads on here to give deeper and more fruitful advice

Cheers - John

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Mr D had the bull-bar and winch fitted by Toyota before delivery, happy with that. Snorkel put on by ARB.... happy with that. Shock absorbers from a 4WD specialist in ACT... Nash I think... happy with that. The fit out in the back of the Prado was done by Off Road Systems in Narellan, western suburb of Sydney... happy with that too! All-terrain tyres by Quick-fit...The tyres themselves are fine but they could only supply 4, had to wait another 2 weeks for the spare. Not happy!

We believe its best to go to specialists in each type of mod, there's no "one size fits all"

Mark · Senior Member

I've installed both brands and for me TJM wins.

ARB products are over-rated and over priced, (that is my opinion) and the back up from ARB is not that clever (In My Opinion)

Much of it in both instances comes down to the installer "adjusting" the holes to make things fit properly, or smashing the 5h1t out of it in frustration.

I've welded up a few ARB bars after not that many k's off road driving but not touched a TJM, maybe just a % ratio supply/failure thing, but, the latter product is better finished and looks nicer (In My Opinion)

justcruisin01 · Guru

Had rear air bags fitted by ARB, the mounted the top of one off line, only noticed this after leaving on a trip so called into another store for them to fix it & bill the installer's. I could have done it but why should I, when they were paid to do it.This was a special deal from the caravan show, maybe not so special.

JC.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Before spending money on fancy bits you may never need, spend a little on a decent 4WD course and learn a "few tricks of the trade".
You will find it money well spent, whereas the "accessories" may, or may NOT be.

Cheers,
Peter

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

Thanks all so far for the replies.
The vehicle in question is a Toyota SR5 Ltd V6. Like it or hate it, that's the vehicle.

It has coil suspension and those (you will see how mechanically challenged I am here) oil filled shocky cylinder things whatever they are called, kinda like front forks on a motobike :)
I believe it has about a 2 or 3 inch lift kit.

Re the 4WD course yep did one of them sometime back and been from a farming family was driving 4WD's, trucks, tractors and motorbikes before I even had a licence.

In respect to the suspension - I was more after comments in case what is currently on it needed replacing. Unfortunately I don't know a hell of a lot about the history of this beast, except that it has been reasonably well looked after and serviced regularly according to the log book.

I had heard ARB were on the expensive side of the fence, a few have told me this - I just wanted to confirm it, as you know someone has a run in with someone and regardless they and their products automatically become crap, people let their personal feelings sway the actual facts.

I do want to do the Cape York run, thus the mention of diff lockers and so on.
Also the Kimberly, Canning and Simpson desert (for the second time) are all on the planned attack list.
At this state I definitely plan for a bullbar of sorts (need more antenna space heh), winch, snorkel and lockers and breathers elevated to inside the bonnet on the firewall for the diffs and transmission. I already have recovery points on the front - and need to get some on the back as well - not much good having points only on the front if the only vehicle that can effect recovery is behind you now is it?