Problems with ARB airbag Bull Bar?

Normorsch2 · Sep 5, 2013

This on a '95 Discovery:

I have a ARB airbag-compatible Bull Bar with a Warn XD9000 winch.

I have heard that folks have had problems with the airbag-compatible ARB bumpers twisting / bending while winching...is this a problem with the crush cans or with the connection to the frame or what? Seems I have seen pics over the years of ARB air bag bumpers wrecked and tilting up at odd angles from jacking, winching or hitting obstacles.

Since this is primarily a street / highway truck, I want to keep the airbags functioning for safety's sake on the street. However, I was wondering if there might be a way to easily bolt on some removable braces to stiffen the weak points for going off road (and hopefully not do anything to set off the airbags prematurely off road)? These would then be (easily?) removed and stowed for street use.

Apparently, ARB used to make an optional "winch guard" bash plate for the airbag bumpers that was bolted on between the back of the winch tray and the bull bar, and served as a clam-like armor enclosure around the winch. These are no longer made, but I was wondering if something along those lines, using the existing bolt holes, could be used to brace the weak points?

Thanks!

MR LR jnr. · Sep 5, 2013

If I was you, and worried about the crush cans deforming during recovery, then I'd unbolt the winch from the bar and mount it in a cradle behind the bar, bolted straight to the chassis rails. Then just have the fail lead on the bull bar.

Cheers
Will

fishEH · Sep 5, 2013

Pretty sure the airbags will still go off on trucks without crush can bumpers.

BuddyLee · Sep 5, 2013

I think the concern is that it would go off prematurely because of the lack of energy absorption in a none compliant bumper. But if he hits anything hard enough to set off an air bag that arb will be toast anyway.

PTSchram · Sep 5, 2013

The only time Disco airbags deploy is at the most inopportune time, and rarely when associated with a crash.

I have removed non-deployed airbags from some of the most dramatically crashed trucks I've ever seen.

Multiple roll-overs, no bag deployed.

Disco endo-ed, no deployment.

Head-on crashes, no deployment.

I have stood my '95 Disco on the front bumper, airbags didn't deploy. Drove it into all manner of obstacles, didn't deploy airbags.\

If you're worried about the bumper rotating, throw a coupla tack welds on it

Normorsch2 · Sep 6, 2013

Well, hopefully the massive bull bar would afford some protection during a crash...

As far as welding, would you weld the crush cans to the frame and/or the bull bar or what?

Thanks!

fishEH · Sep 6, 2013

Weld plate around the crush cans to box them in.

Problems with ARB airbag Bull Bar?

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